How the Garden Grows....

Whooowee.....summer is hot. I know that is pretty much a common knowledge thing, but until I had a garden to tend I do not think I ever realized how hot it really gets! The garden is fun. The weather matters to us so much more now.

We cheer the sunshine.
We hold tight for rain.

We know it takes both to ripen our tomatoes.

From our little garden we have canned tomatoes, lacto-fermented ketchup, stored away jalepeno and berry jam, canned hot and spicy pickles,  and tried our hand at canned green beans. I froze greens,  okra and onions. And, the summer garden is really just starting to come alive!  Each Sunday we give away produce and herbs at a table we set up in the foyer of our church. The plan, the hope, is to have enough bounty to take our organic fresh picked fruits, vegetables, and herbs into the homes of those who can not afford them. We must change the way we eat, all of us returning to old food traditions. This is not an easy message for someone to hear who can barely get buy from check to check (or no check at all).  But, much easier to take in and think about over a free  bushel of just picked organic goodness.

The summer garden is keeping us busy in the dirt and busy in the kitchen. I am learning so much just by doing. This makes me really eager for next summer. I have new plans brewing already....including, perhaps, a slightly less dorky hat........