Youths Find a New Hobby—Balcony Gardening年轻人热衷阳台种菜

Farming was considered part of the rural charm in the past. But now， farms have come to the concrete jungle and they can even be found high up on balconies.

Zhang Chao， 17， from Anhui Province， is one young “urban farmer”. The senior high student said his fondness for planting was formed in primary school when he lived with his grandpa in the countryside.

“Spending his whole life as a farmer， my grandpa likes to plant seasonal vegetables in our backyard garden when he gets older，” Zhang said. “Inspired by his passion， I also learned to grow my own vegetables.”

Though farming is a labor-intensive process including ploughing， fertilizing and watering， Zhang said he still had a sense of achievement when he saw seeds gradually turn into seedlings and later plants.

“It has brought me good memories，” added Zhang.

Although Zhang recently moved to a place without a yard， he continues his hobby with a balcony garden. He has since bought strawberry and tomato seeds.

“Growing fruits and vegetables not only brings delicious food and enhances food security， but it also reminds me of the happy times with my grandpa，” said Zhang.

過去人们认为耕种是乡村生活的一大魅力，但现在，田园搬到了水泥丛林中，甚至有人在高高的阳台上种菜。

17岁的安徽小伙张超（音）就是一个年轻的“城市农夫”。这名高中生说，他读小学时和爷爷住在农村，因此喜欢上了种菜。

“我爷爷是一个农民，上了年纪后，他喜欢在我们家后院种些时令蔬菜。”张超说，“受爷爷的影响，我也学会了自己种菜。”

虽然种菜需要付出大量劳动，包括翻土、施肥和浇水，但看见种子发芽，逐渐长成幼苗，而后又长成作物，张超还是感到很有成就感。

张超补充道：“种菜给我带来了美好的回忆。”

虽然张超最近搬到了一个没有院子的地方，但他还是把自己的爱好延续到了屋子阳台的菜园子，后来他还买了草莓和番茄的种子。

张超说：“种植水果、蔬菜不仅能收获美味的食物，吃得更安全，还会让我想起和爷爷在一起的美好时光。”

Unlike Zhang， Fang Minke from Shenzhen considers planting a garden a good way to relax and develop patience.

Juggling many academic responsibilities， the 16-year-old girl sometimes feels frustrated.

“How much I longed for a splash of color in my fast-paced life！” said Fang.

To help put some spark back in her life， she started planting vegetables on her balcony in 2021. Most of the seeds were given by her friends. She plants them and waits patiently. After half a year， her balcony has become a “small garden”.

After she spends long hours on homework， she likes to walk around her balcony garden. “Seeing the various colors and breathing fresh air， I feel closer to nature and refreshed，” Fang said. “The vegetables may not be staple foods on our table， but they will surely add a touch of flavor to our dishes and spice up our busy days.”

Planting vegetables is now more than just a way to survive. It also brings joy to young people’s lives.

来自深圳的方旻珂（音）与张超不同，她认为在菜园里耕种是放松心情、培养耐心的好方法。

因为要兼顾多门课业，这个16岁的女孩有时会郁郁寡欢。

方旻珂说：“我多么渴望在快节奏的生活中增添一抹色彩！”

为了让生活重燃激情，方旻珂从2021年开始在自家的阳台上种植蔬菜。大部分种子都是朋友给的，方旻珂种下它们并耐心等待。半年后，她的阳台变成了一个“小菜园”。

花很长时间做作业后，方旻珂喜欢在自家的阳台菜园转一转。“看到各种各样的颜色，呼吸着新鲜的空气，我感觉离大自然更近了，也更有精神了。”方旻珂说，“这些蔬菜不是我们餐桌上的主食，但一定会为菜肴添加风味，为我们忙碌的日子增添乐趣。”

如今，种菜不仅仅是一种生存方式，也给年轻人带来快乐。

Word Bank

passion /'pæʃn/ n. 酷爱；热衷的爱好

The English have a passion for gardens.

seedling /'siːdlɪŋ/ n. 秧苗；幼苗

enhance /ɪn'hɑːns/ v. 提高；增强

juggle /'dʒʌɡl/ v. 尽力同时应付

Working mothers are used to juggling their jobs， their children’s needs and their housework.

staple /'steɪpl/ adj. 主要的；基本的

The staple crop is rice.

spice /spaɪs/ v. 给……增添趣味

Her publisher wants her to spice up her stories with adventures.