Because we don’t have a yard, my homegrown food choices are pretty limited. I have a half dozen herbs in containers, both on the window sill and on the deck, which normal do quite well. And then we have a few hanging tomatoes out back.

Where we’ve finally, finally gotten our first ripe tomato! (After so long a wait — I planted them before Memorial Day — is it wrong to just pop it in my mouth right now?) Sadly, that patio just doesn’t get enough sun for them to really thrive, for one.

For two, after three summers of growing, the deer have finally found them.

See the gnawed branches?

And now two of my herbs have a worm problem. I’ve sprayed them both with a soap-based, organic insecticide which has worked for me in the past. You can buy a similar product online or at hardware stores, or you can make your own version with this recipe.

Cross fingers the deer and worms will soon leave my homegrown food alone. My frustration with such minor points shows I’m obviously not cut out to be a farmer. How do they do it?!