gardening oopses

We have a community garden at church- the harvest is for food banks and soup kitchens. This is its first year and its reception has been mixed. For most its a great idea and something to look at with joy, its the labor part that is the hard part. Sweat, dirt and manual labor... not so fun- or so most think.

Sunday we dressed in work clothes and helped to harvest squash and beans before worshipping in air conditioned comfort. I think our worship actually began out in the field as I battled prickly leaves and found prize after prize hidden under leaves of green. The harvest of squash was 3 laundry baskets full. The beans another and then some turnip greens as well.

It is a learning process for all who participate. Some come willingly, others drafted as they hang out on the fringes. This weekend one young man was called in to help... he manned up and came, his partner feared dirt and skooted off. For the one who joined us there was conversation and sharing of wisdom and life experience by men who have been in the military. He has plans of entering soon, has hopes of what will be. The guys encouraged, invited him to share life and gave counsel as he negotiates his contract. Nice, life as it should be.... all while serving the unknown needy.

In the spring I started plants on the backporch- some for me, some for God's garden. The tomatoes we planted we were later told that they had failed. It seems that rather they took a breathe and paused, but once given regular water they have blossomed and bloomed. The cages were falling over the growth is so lush. I spent time staking them up and rejoicing in the size. I did the difficult thing- I pruned. Pruning is so often avoided yet so necessary for greater growth. so all the side shoots, the wandering low lying branches were brought up or taken away for the good of the future. shock to us at first yet for future bounty important.

Just as in life- we often need to prune somethng to allow for other things. We need to cut off or restrict so that there can be bounty and blessing and energy given to another area of our life. A hard choice, yet necessary for the good of the future and preservation of sanity.

As we wandered among the plants we came upon two plants that were a bit dfferent- tomatillos. Ground cherries... they have a covering of papery skin, green in color and used in green salsa. A new seed tried, one I had not found sucessful at home... or pulled up thinking it was a weed- ouch! I bought another packet of seeds yesterday and planted a few last night. I am now clued in to the look of the seed and the volumne of produce one plant can bring forth... am excited that by the end of sept I might have tomatillos in my garden. oops... some weeds are not weeds.

I also finally looked up violets- they are abundant here in the yard and if i move them from the clay soil to nice soil they explode in size. I had heard that they were edible, and so they are. while researching i also learned what lambs quarter looks like- free spinach is what it is.... often pulled as a weed now i will know it to be a veggie to be enjoyed. ahh gardening and yard groceries, i do love this season of life.

tomatoes are on the vine, just waiting for the change of color. green beans need picking again. squash are developing, looks like some pumpkins for pie are in the making and I am anxiously waiting for the HUGE blue hubbard squash vine to bring forth some fruit- soon me thinks.

Best laid plans

So I began this blog to follow the garden and be organized.... I should have known better, I am not that organized in reality. The garden is in, some harvested and done, others beginning to be attacked by critters. There is at least one happy toad hopping about getting fat- yeah!

Tonight was the beginning of our living from the garden. I have gone out and snacked upon asparagus, strawberries and a few peas. Tonight I picked over 1cup of blueberries and a large handful of greens. The greens were were turned into a fratata ?? it had egg, cheese and was yummy, kind of a crustless quiche and super quick and easy.I see many more of them ahead of us.the berries we snacked upon and I will turn the remaining into pancakes or muffins in the am.

The greenbean plants are flowering, beets are beginning to become beet greens, I am seeing hte start of swiss chard and the lettuce is screaming "pick me!!!" I spied the first tomato tonight and the basil which I love the fragrance of was part of my green bouquet that contributed to dinner. Ahh the luxury of a garden. I so long to peek and see how the potato plants are growing as the tops are so large and fertile, yet I delay knowing time will only increase size and productivity.

Tomorrow it will be spray day- insecticidal soap for most and a once over for the weeds. Then on down the street to have fun in the neighbors garden as she is not able to bend to evict the pesky weeds that irritate her so.

Spring is heavy upon us and I delight at the thought of it all and all yet to come to us from the abundance of plants around us.