goodies

our annual tradition -picking the first of the harvest. niko gets the honor of gathering whatever is up and today its green beans and cukes. we're growing beans for the first time -super crunchy with their sandpaper skins...cukes long and slender, crisp...yum!

ate the cukes as part of our beach picnic on crane's today

i come from a long line of southern (virginia and tennessee) farmers and serious gardeners on both sides of my family, so its no surprise that we can't wait to put our garden out each memorial day weekend. i have such vivid memories of the garden we had in the early years when i grew up on cape cod; potatoes, beans, tomatoes, corn on the cob, cukes, onion, scallion, greens and more...sitting on the patio munching down a bowl of raw green beans like they were penny candy..warm, juicy tomatoes ripe off the vine, the size of both my fists, i ate them like an apple -just topped with a sprinkle of salt and bit into them ..dad made a concoction that to this day is, well, unique..he'd pour a huge glass of buttermilk, crumble in fresh baked cornbread, top with scallions..then devour! not for this yankee!

dad is still a die hard gardener and so are most of my aunts and uncles..they grew up literally living off of what ever they grew, caught, hunted or raised- so over the years, they have mastered the art of making the most of what's under their care to cultivate.

we have the classic suburban garden: 4 raised beds and i also have a meditation garden with flowers and a few herbs . i'll never forget when once a few years ago dad started into a conv. with a gardener's speak i'd never heard before.."deborah, remember the best time to plant the tomatoes is in either the breast or the privates..or else the loins." huh? " uh, dad..what are u talking about????!" come to find out they have adopted the age old system of planting by "the signs"..there are signs for above ground crops like the breast, loins and privates and for underground- no idea we don't do underground yet! this year when he came up we did indeed plant by the signs, the loins, i think-..and darn if the stuff isn't looking yummalicious!

i dream of lots more gardens, more herbs, enough to cultivate without buying to supplement like i do now;for my own oils and salves in the winter, herbed ice teas in summer and medicianal ones in the cold season..of formal french medieval layouts... hidden fairy grotos in the woods surrounding our home...think about the art one can make with that kind of living inspiration to pull from..

what are you growing this year? there is nothing that can replace the excitement of picking veggies from ur own back yard...it's so wonderful to share ur spoils w/ family and friends..to eat them raw, cooked w/other seasonal goodies, fresh pesto, bean salad, composed caprese appetizers... enjoy them over and over right through october...even a 5 gallon bucket will net u lots of tomaotes, it can be that simple! i hope u'll share some of ur harvest stories..and recipes soon! xx