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Writer's pictureHilda Van Netten

A Wounded World Feeding Us

My new favourite book is by Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass. It sits next to my favourite chair, just in case I need a random shot of goodness. I read it earlier in the year and it has become a new friend, teaching me about how the earth provides for us. And, how we should take only enough so that the plants will be able to sustain themselves.



“Even a wounded world is feeding us.

Even a wounded world holds us,

giving us moments of wonder and joy.

I choose joy over despair.

Not because I have my head in the sand,

but because joy is what the earth gives me daily and I must return the gift.”

Robin Wall Kimmerer



With that thought setting the tone, our gardens were feeding us in spades this morning. Feeding bodies and souls.



Sponsor today: the sound of early morning birds warbling in the shrubs and trees around the gardens.


New growth on the spirea bushes make for a nice support and structure in today's flower bunches. Hydrangeas had survived last week's heavy rain and Queen Anne's Lace are coming on. Our first dahlias and zinnias made their appearance too. 16 bunches of flamboyancy. That's the feel I was going for. Flamboyancy.




The floating row covers are still doing their job. No little cabbage moths have made their way under them. Yay!!! Kale is looking really good.




Our spinach plants have been fighting a few pests and are winning the war. First it was leaf miners making their tracks in the leaves. I kept picking off those leaves, hoping the plant would pull through. Next it was slugs. Same remedy. Today, the new growth is looking strong and healthy and uneaten. Who knows what next week will bring?




After everything was loaded in our helper's car, I toured the garden to get an overview of what is ripening. Winter squash are starting to bulk up.




Carrots and beets are looking happy since Ted thinned them out. Nothing like a little elbow room to grow.



Cut-and-come-again is working nicely with the salad greens. This is the second planting. The third planting is in the 2-3 leaf stage.




It looks like our pumpkin plants will be feeding a lot of people this year. Rouge Vif d'Etampes is their name and it suits them. They will be an orange so dark that it is almost red. They will look like Cinderella's carriage. Can't wait.




I guess I'll need to move that vine. I don't think the cedar hedge will like supporting a pumpkin. Even one that Cinderella will use.



Hmmm.... forgot about these. They may need to go in the freezer.




Tomatoes are a couple of weeks from ripening.




And, last but not least...... finally! After 10? years of figuring out what the blueberry plants need, I think we've finally got it right. This is only the beginning of the harvest.


When Ted returned from Fare Share we celebrated with blueberries. Thank you earth!





“To love a place is not enough. We must find ways to heal it.”

Robin Wall Kimmerer



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