Leftovers and new beginnings

A few nights ago I cleaned out the summer garden beds. Aside from a few lingering watermelons, I didn't expect to find much. By late July, I had abandoned the garden to August in Arizona, with its blistering temperatures and seasonal humidity.

Daily, I would look out and wonder how things were going in the untended garden. To my surprise, a month of abandon did the garden well.

Several new basil plants had sprouted up (time to make pesto); mint had taken over a corner of the garden; an artichoke plant from last winter that looked dead was developing tentative green shoots; and the sage was beginning to perk-up again.

I wish I could say I loved gardening. I don’t. I just like it, most days. What motivates me to tend the garden is my love of healthy cooking with whole, fresh ingredients. 

I have big plans for the winter garden. In fact, my seeds from Seeds Trust in Cornville, Arizona just recently arrived. I selected seeds based on what will grow in the winter in Arizona, what I want to cook over the cooler months and what my daughter requested—nasturtiums (peppery and yummy!) and peas (which I think are pretty enough, but don't especially like).

It’s an ambitious plan, for sure. We’ll see how it all goes.

If all else fails, I pray the fava beans flourish. Oh, to have fava bean pureé made with garden garlic and fresh rosemary. Now, wouldn't that be wonderful!