Here I am holding jalapenos fresh from the garden. Behind me are a mass of marigolds and a wall of cherry tomatoes picked clean for the time being, but more to come.
I love jalapenos! They are my perfect heat for so many recipes, including those that call for them raw. Marigolds remind me of my dad. When I was a kid, he had me planting them in our garden against my will – oh, how I complained about helping him with his gardening! But today, they are sweet reminders of him. I love their tangy fragrance. The tomatoes are planted close to each other, creating a massive panel that I encourage passers-by to pick from. Our trash collectors, post people, and neighbors – especially kids – are encouraged to indulge.
This is the season of return. The plants go in the ground in early spring, but it’s not until the hot, sunny summer is at its peak that tomatoes, marigolds, and jalapenos all turn out in numbers to be enjoyed.
Is there some aspect of your life that you find coming to fruition that you might wish to harvest in the week ahead?
“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero
