What I did last summer-My Garden :)

This was my garden early in the season this last year.  I mostly garden in small plots and raised beds, and I stoutly refuse to own a tiller, never have.....No till and low till, is my gardening method.....using compost and mulch.Some of the harvest pictures are from later on. I used my last fresh tomato a couple of days after Thanksgiving this year.

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Destination Garden-Muskogee's Honor Heights

Another beauty that I got to see on my travels three years ago next spring.

Pecan Pie for Thanksgiving-a note of Gratitude

I made this pie for Thanksgiving. I received something of a sticker shock when I saw how high pecans have gotten. Just a few years ago the press was talking about how they were plentiful and cheap-everytime that happens, with almost anything, you can fast forward a few years and there will be a shortage and high prices. Nobody ever thinks about it when the grower is starving, that someday that means there will be less growers, and therefore, less product. Several years ago I was in Georgia and it struck me (and caused this farm girl's heart to ache a little) that they were tearing up those pecan and peach groves and throwing up houses as quickly as possible. I wonder if we'll ever learn as a people to take care of what we have and not abuse it? Probably just a dream.

We did enjoy the pie. And I was thankful for the tree that still lives and the farmer that still owns it for producing these high quality nutmeats for my (I'm told) wonderful pie.....

Butchart Gardens, Victoria, BC, CAN

Last summer I got to go to the the iconic Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC, Canada. It was not the best time of day for taking pictures of flowers, although we can say that the garden is enchanting at night. But I did get some "keepers" and this is a slide show of that. Enjoy!

My Favorite Sunflower Variety

The beautiful variety Autumn Beauty, is my favorite. It is not a hybrid so you can reseed it and it is very easy to grow. It has so many color variations that it is endlessly interesting to study, as well. Here are a pair of blooms from my garden a few years ago:

Here are some that I planted late this year....and they still turned out amazing.