.....surprises

Yogis,
When you are a gardener, every year you find that the garden is different. You swear you do the same things each time. But then you have to remember that you are a cocreator. Nature always has the lead role and has some of her own plans.  

The hydrangea in my side yard does beautifully year in and year out, until it didn’t. My fig bush was enormous last year, producing a bounty that had me handing out figs like candy to anyone passing by. This spring not even a leaf grew on two thirds of her stalks. Yet my verbena, which I had nearly given up on, is now topped with delicate purple flowers.

Mother nature also has fun surprises up her sleeve. For example, which volunteers will she throw your way. Those plants that appear unplanned.  Last year it was a perfect white pumpkin that grew along the side of my gravel driveway and graced my counter for over six months. Another year it was a cardinal flower after mentioning that I wanted to grow them. Thank you!

This year it is a tomato plant.

Each year I used to plant tomatoes in the fenced section of my garden. I rarely got to actually eat more than a couple though once the birds and squirrels took their share. Holes from bugs on some, sides that split open. Discouraging. I switched to cherry tomatoes with a bit more success but nothing to write home about. Sort of flavorless.

Early this summer I was changing out the rotted sides of the raised bed when I spotted a few tiny tomato plants growing. Volunteers. I put one of them in the new bed. This is what it looks like now!

Every few days I go out and harvest the small juicy tomatoes. I have gotten hundreds and it doesn’t show any sign of slowing down. New flowers and green tomatoes appear daily. She is now growing so wide I have to drape her branches over other plants who offer her support.

Best of all…..they are delicious.

Placed in a bowl on the counter I pop a couple in my mouth when I walk by. Awesome mixed with chopped basil and mozzarella or cucumber,  avocado and pumpkin seeds. I even have to keep an eye on Phoebe who will gobble them up If I set any down at her level.

A true gift.

Every time I snip off the small bunches, I am sure to throw a few back into the dirt. Hopeful that perhaps I will be surprised again next summer. Only mother nature knows for sure.

I love a good surprise,
SARAH