Week 20

Back on May 10th when we brought a few bunches of rhubarb, some herbs that had over-wintered (thank you climate change), 5 large bunches of flowers (tulips, daffodils, bleeding hearts) and 4 posies to FareShare, I had no idea that 20 weeks! later the gardens would still be giving abundantly. Long sentence.

Short sentence now: 82 lbs. today.

This week's flowers play very nicely together. For fillers we used spirea branches, euphorbia stems and mint. I love the surprise smell of mint in a bouquet.

Because it was so doggone dark out this morning, we had to compress the harvesting into a shorter time. Something had to give. The camera pulled the short straw.

So, here are words that are worth a thousand pictures:

• 18 bunches of spinach

• 4 bunches radish

• 3 bags of black beans

• 5 beets

• 4 bags green beans

• 6 small bags cherry tomatoes

• ∞ kale

• 9 bunches flowers

• mint

• herbs

• 6 red peppers

And, there's that 23 lb. pumpkin! Not bad for a pumpkin that germinated in the compost bin in the woods.

When Ted & our gardening buddy delivered the goods to FareShare at 9, a volunteer repeated herself a few times, letting them know how much fresh food is welcomed by our neighbours.

Just in case you are wondering what the tally is to date: 998 lbs.

Back in the kitchen, our test bouquet was looking at itself in the somewhat clean windows. I hope it likes what it sees. I do.

Not long ago, my dear poetry-loving friend, Lesley shared these words. I think they fit nicely with today's post. They have been waiting patiently on a sticky note for such a time as this:

“I Got Kin Plant So that your own heart Will grow. Love So God will think, “Ahhhhhh, I got kin in that body! I should start inviting that soul over For coffee and Rolls.” Sing Because this is a food Our starving world Needs. Laugh Because that is the purest Sound.”

Fale Hafiz