September Pickin's
There is a reason I like to take photos. Although our vegetable and flower gardens start out pretty lovely in May and June, by the time September gets here, they're far from perfect. In fact, to be honest, the vegetable garden is a depressing weed patch right now. What often happens is this: Springtime finally arrives after a long winter and we can hardly wait to get into the garden and plant those seeds we ordered from the many gorgeous, alluring seed catalogs that come in the mail in mid winter.
After we plant, the garden looks beautiful. I eagerly and joyously water and wait. I am optimistic. My optimism is encouraged by the sweet little plantlets that push their way through the soil, reaching for sunshine.
Things go along pretty well until...
we get to really hot weather when the plants 'bolt' and the weeds spring up about 2 feet nearly overnight. At that point, it is suddenly overwhelming and depressing. We've got blight on the tomatoes, leaf wilt on the squash, the beans are tough because of the hot weather, the strawberries are tiny, and the peas had about a week of good weather. Right now? We've got a serious rain shortage. That's the reality of the vegetable garden - especially this year.
After we plant, the garden looks beautiful. I eagerly and joyously water and wait. I am optimistic. My optimism is encouraged by the sweet little plantlets that push their way through the soil, reaching for sunshine.
Things go along pretty well until...
we get to really hot weather when the plants 'bolt' and the weeds spring up about 2 feet nearly overnight. At that point, it is suddenly overwhelming and depressing. We've got blight on the tomatoes, leaf wilt on the squash, the beans are tough because of the hot weather, the strawberries are tiny, and the peas had about a week of good weather. Right now? We've got a serious rain shortage. That's the reality of the vegetable garden - especially this year.
BUT, I can pick a few of those luscious tomatoes that survived the blight, a few sprigs of lavender, some asters, a few rudbeckia, and a twig or two of high bush cranberries. When I set them all together, I can zoom in with my camera and see just what I want to see, weed free. It's amazing how cheering that is. I love the color and the many textures and am so grateful that I can see and smell those beautiful gifts from our Creator - which He generously gives to even me, a sometimes disgruntled gardener.
And there's always next year.
How was your garden this year?
By the way, the tomato was delicious!
And there's always next year.
How was your garden this year?
By the way, the tomato was delicious!
***
'Rosemary Mint'
Natural, Handcrafted Vegan Soap
(with rosemary from our garden)
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