August 9, 2012

Home Grown

afternoon light fresh picked lunch prep tired sunflower tomato thief new sunflower premature pickings evening light fighting the blight

Our garden has given me such joy this summer. We've been harvesting a few large baskets a week and eating almost entirely from its riches. I have never had such great luck with a garden of my own (although growing up my mother's gardens easily topped this one... but she has the magic touch so it doesn't count!). Earlier this week, as I balanced a basket heavy with tomatoes and carrots on one hip and my little boy on the other, I had this overwhelming feeling of peace. I spent so many years feeling trapped with my life in the city; too many people, no open space, no escape... this garden has been a miraculous cure to all of that frustration.

Of course with growing your own veggies always comes a little heart-ache. We have been hit very suddenly with a late season tomato blight and many of our plants have already been stricken. I learned about it yesterday and when Big Smith got home from work I headed out to see the damage. It was amazing how many plants were dried up and wilted when they had been glorious just the day prior. I picked all the tomatoes that were starting to ripen, pruned away the affected plants and branches, and carted out the compost that might be contaminated. We have so many tomatoes coming though that we may not get to enjoy and share with our friends and turn into sauces and chutneys. It's a bummer, but I certainly can't complain with how generous this garden has been to us. My heart goes out to all of the farmers who depend on these crops and get hit with these blights or this crazy heat, I can't even imagine.

Today I will spray and cross my fingers that we still get a few more baskets full of tomatoes before the summer is out. And I don't want to get my hopes up, but that butternut squash is looking pretty promising!

12 comments:

  1. The work of the land - joyous, satisfying, frustrating, perplexing. On a small scale with little ones in tow, peaceful yes.

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  2. Gorgeous pictures! I'm jealous of your beautiful garden, even with the blight. All our veggies and most of the herbs just gave up in the intense heat. I'm looking forward to seeing some recipes with your bounty :)

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  3. Sounds beautiful! I was just telling my husband I am so tired of the city life..I wish you well on your garden and hope the best for your tomatoes!

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  4. Oh I am so sorry for your tomato losses! Ours are hanging in there thus far, but of course we don't have nearly as many as you do. Looking forward to what you will do with butternut squash {I adore it!}

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  5. That garden of yours sounds like a blessing - even the obstacles. It makes what you get out of it that much better.

    xo
    cortnie

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  6. Wow, I am so impressed! The cabbage is beautiful. I am sorry your tomato plants got sick. Ours have suddenly come down with something-- they are all splitting open for some reason. I guess it's all trial and error around here. And I can totally relate to the peace that comes with gardening. It's the place I feel most calm.

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  7. Wow Lilly, your garden is amazing. This all looks so healthy and delicious!

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  8. The photos are gorgeous. I can almost feel the fresh air on my skin. :) The basket of veggies is so lovely. I love the city, but you can only get that real feeling of peace in nature, I think.

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  9. Beautiful veggies! I can't believe you grew all that in your garden -- when I saw the first pictures I thought for sure you'd been visiting a farm or something. I would be insanely proud of such a harvest!! :) Sorry about your tomato plants! All we had this year were two squash plants that have blossomed beautifully but failed to give us any actual squash!

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  10. I too am in the city but would love to know how/where you are farming your garden. Is it possible to rent a plot outside of Boston??

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    1. Hi Cary, yes there are lots of community gardens where you farm your own plot in the Boston area. I think some that are more in the city are quite small, while our's (in Belmont) is a pretty large plot. Unfortunately I believe there is now a waiting list, but email me if you're interested and I can give you the contact information.

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