The Constant Gardner Returns: The Wonders of the Harvest

I have to say that there is a lot of work that goes into being a Constant Gardner, but after all that work is the post at the end of the rainbow of the harvest.

Even Sunny-Girl has become a constant gardener assistant in that she oversees my work (while sitting in the shade I might add) and even enjoys bits of the veggies I cook almost daily. As usual click each photo for a better view.

It does not seem that long ago that I started the garden and rapidly saw it grow. It helped to have purchased seedlings for some items and unlike Daddy not have to wait for seeds to germinate.

I don't know about Sunny-Girl but there was a lot of anticipation on my part with each new day's growth. And then, to see the veggies sprout and wait with gleeful excitement to be able to pick and sample each one was a reward in itself.

But the day to begin harvesting finally came. We have cheerfully eaten and given away vegetables to friends and neighbors who seemed to enjoy them almost as much as we did.

Tomatoes are also a wonder. Most people don't realize that tomatoes are a fruit and you can pick them once you see a slight bit of orange to then let them ripen into the juicy red we all recognize. I keep a sharp eye for the slightest change in color which is my excuse to pick and watch them ripen.

And, while it has not been a bumper crop, I have gotten the hang of growing squash. I find myself picking one or two each day along with the daily haul of tomatoes. Back in Denver people grew them without effort but for me in Florida it was a test of will chore.

In fact, just the other day I had a taste for one of Chrissy's and Daddy's favorites: Okra and Tomatoes. It is a tasty dish and a quick way to stay on top of the constant stream of tomatoes I collect.

I included a photo of my preparation to add to the visual excitement. And guess what? Sunny-Girl likes okra as well!








Oh yes, watermelons are on the way. My little niece has not yet staked out her claim. The last time she was over they were just vines... but the little gardennapper cannot be far off.

And to pour a little salt into the wound, I took a few tomatoes over to Daddy and mentioned our dinner for the evening. He and his cane really went into action because that was visible evidence of just how far behind he is. He is now watering his garden day and night and in this tale the hare might just win...

A Watched Pot...

Americans have an expression that "A watched pot never boils", meaning the more you watch something the longer it takes. And, I have been watching the garden and like the expression says, the plants had not been growing fast enough. But then... one day there was this burst of flowers.

And Chrissy was right, it has been relaxing to lovingly work at weeding and watching the garden grow. One thing I have noticed is that there is a simple beauty that exists in plants in a garden. As usual click each photo for a better view.

These flowers are from my growing squash crop. One day they just burst forward out of no where.

This one too is sort of peeking through. I could not help but think it was almost like a little child hiding.

As I looked at this shot, the flower almost appears to be an orchid.

When I first took these photos I thought I might be a little over the top regarding the garden. But, I later went back to look at them and the buds had closed. It was then that I realized I had captured a moment in time that existed and then disappeared as the plant moved on to the it's next stage.