Moving My Garden and Life Out to LA

by Mike Lieberman · 41 comments

I'm moving out to LA.

The weather is starting to finally brighten up in NYC, enough for me to start my seeds, but I won’t be doing any fire escape gardening this year because I am moving across the country to Los Angeles.

By no means does this mean that I am going to stop gardening. It just means that I won’t be gardening on a fire escape. I’ll be trading it in for a balcony.

I’ve proven it possible to grow your own organic produce on a fire escape in NYC. Now I’ll show that you can do the same on a balcony in Los Angeles.

Growing my own food has become part of who I am and what I do. No matter where I am, I’ll find a way to grow. Whether that location is NYC, LA or wherever I may wind up next. Growing your own food is possible anywhere.

The weather in LA will enable me to grow more and do it year round. It’ll be a whole new learning experience and challenge, but one that I’ll embrace. I’ll take the knowledge and memories that I gained from the fire escape, including the gardening mistakes that I made, and continue to expand my knowledge.

Fire escape or not, I’ll be growing my own food and hopefully continue to inspire people to do the same. It’s possible no matter where you are.


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  • http://twitter.com/ShannonRoseLive Shannon Rose

    Wow, what is taking you out west? It's a whole different world out there, it's my old stompin' grounds. But you're right, you can grow food year round in Cali, which was always my favorite part. I hope you love it and I hope to see ya when I get back out there!

  • truecrimson

    Hey, don't forget windows. You're likely to have more windows that get good sun. If you're in an apartment complex instead of a high rise they might have garden space available, or even just some empty land that they will let you use if you ask. Some of the high rises have roof top gardens available too. That's also something to consider when looking for an apartment if you haven't picked one out yet.

    It will be interesting to see what you do out there.

  • Leesie

    I almost missed this shocking (to me) news, woah! You gotta check out LA's sourdough King, Jack Bezian – http://bit.ly/cGLdQK and eat some of his sourdough bread — for me!;) I heard it rocks! All the best to you, Mike! Looking forward to hearing all about LA and your fresh start out there.

  • http://www.calfinder.com/ Dean

    That's great news… A whole lot easier living green in la i would imagine. welcome to cali!

  • Mike Lieberman

    My girl lives out there and why not. NYC is great, but why not do something new? I'll still be keepin this blog and doin what I do. Excited about the move.

  • Mike Lieberman

    I'll be moving in with my girl. She lives in a garden apt and has a balcony. I'll have to get used to different conditions, but all good. I welcome the change.

  • Mike Lieberman

    Thanks Leesie.

  • Mike Lieberman

    I think LA definitely fits my lifestyle better…sans the cars.

  • lagreca

    Hey, congrats on the move. If you ever get down to San Diego, look me up. We can compare gardens. My wife and I will cook you dinner.

    I think LA will be good for you, because you will have a more productive garden year round. Good luck and please keep blogging!

  • Mike Lieberman

    Thanks. I have friends down in SD. I'm gonna hold you to that. I'll most certainly keep blogging. It's not gonna stop. :-)

  • laurieredv

    Best of luck in your journeys!

    (How 'bout those new worms? Are they making the move with you?)

  • truecrimson

    Sweet! I wish you luck with the move, the gardening, and especially the girl ;) Going different places and seeing different things is always good, whatever the reason. If you ever pass through PA drop me a line, I'll take you to the range. Of course I'll continue to follow your adventures on here ;)

  • http://www.pure2raw.com/ Pure2raw twins

    What you are moving??? Oh no we never got to come visit, I guess we will have to come out to Cali!!!! We love Cali ; )

  • http://GlobalPatriot.com/ GlobalPatriot

    Welcome to the West Coast Mike – I'm sure you're gardening here will only intensify as the longer growing season opens up so many possibilities!

  • Mike Lieberman

    The worms are on of the things that I'll need to figure out.

  • Mike Lieberman

    I couldn't wait forever?!?! You know how to reach me. You are most definitely welcomed anytime.

  • Mike Lieberman

    Thanks Mark. I am definitely looking forward to expanding my knowledge even further and growing much more.

  • http://twitter.com/hyperlocavore Liz McLellan

    We've got a ton of people in LA looking for yard sharing partners! Maybe you can hook up with someone!

    http://hyperlocavore.ning.com/groups/group/sear…

    Sounds like an exciting change!

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  • http://ethanlukas.blogspot.com/ Melissa

    You will hate LA for the first year then you will Love it!! Every thing grows in LA! I never had a plant die in 5 years of living there! Good luck.

  • Mike Lieberman

    Thanks Liz. I will keep that in mind once I get settled. Thanks again!

  • Mike Lieberman

    Hahaa. Appreciate the heads up Melissa. I have an idea as to what I'm getting into. It'll be very different from NYC, but change is good.

  • taylen

    welcome to the left coast! enjoy the nicer weather and greener lifestyles around you!

  • Mike Lieberman

    Thanks Taylen. That's what I'm hoping for.

  • http://faroutflora.wordpress.com/ Megan

    Nice! You'll love being able to garden ALL year round. I moved from Wisconsin to San Francisco 2.5 years ago. It's a whole different world of gardening awesomeness in California.

  • Mike Lieberman

    Yes can't wait!

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  • http://HappyHerbivore Lindsay Nixon

    Enjoy sunny LA — I lived there for a year and a half and miss the year-round fresh, local produce… and what didn't grow in LA, grew in nearby Mexico; it was wonderful — you'll love it!

  • Mike Lieberman

    So lookin forward to the fresh, local produce year round.

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  • rmassingham

    Change is good Mike. Looking forward to seeing the 'transplanted' garden in LA. All the best with the move bro. Exciting stuff! Cheers!

  • Mike Lieberman

    Thanks man. Can't wait to get it started.

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  • Angie

    Best of luck with the move to LA, keep growing!

  • Angie

    Best of luck to you here in Los Angeles, you're right…the weather here is wonderful to plant in!

  • Mike Lieberman

    Yes! Can't wait!

  • dragos_ionut2004

    I must say it's an awesome way to live! Way to go! Maybe you should try a company for moving boxes out of your way. I can guarantee you they will be careful with your stuff, I know they did it with mine.

  • Desert Frustrations

    I hope you're settled in LA? I just moved from Santa Cruz, CA down to Riverside, CA basically going from cool Redwood forests to desert temps. What a new growing challenge(s) this year has become, especially since I'm basically a midwest gardener. I'm definitely switching to self watering units becuase everything I had in regular pots this year shriveled up and died. :( Am anxious to hear new techiniques you've learned to use for So Cal growing.

  • Mike Lieberman

    Settlin down here in LA still. Def a whole lot to learn and get used to.