Fruits Of My Labor

This year my garden has proven to be different than last year. Some things that grew so well last year seem to be struggling and some of the new items I’ve tried are doing rather well. I have so many green strawberries and literally only one red. I’m doing something wrong but I have no idea what!

Anyway, being in New England it is still a bit early to be harvesting much but I’ve had the chance to pick some items already. Yesterday and today I made salads for lunch using some of my own home grown ingredients such as arugula, red leaf lettuce, radishes, and green peppers. When I’m not using my own vegetables from my garden I tend to buy organic produce and I have noticed a difference in taste between conventional and organic items; it’s sometimes subtle but I can taste it. What I always find so amazing is the difference between grocery store bought vegetables and fresh from the garden vegetables. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t see anything at all wrong with grocery store food, I buy from there every week. It’s just I couldn’t help noticing the amazing taste of the veggies from my garden. The arugula had a very prominent peppery taste and was very crunchy. The radishes were super hot, even a bit too hot for me. Although, interestingly enough, my 4 year old son tends to be a picky eater is always picking radishes, washing them with the hose and eating them without even acknowledging they are hot. The green pepper had thin skin and was also extra crunchy. Overall, it made for a very enjoyable lunch break.

Gardening is such a relaxing experience and it has been a great patience booster. I’ve learned that all good things take time. It’s also such a fun time to get out in the dirt with my two children and just poke around the garden to see how things are changing. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the season will bring.

My Garden