With all the chaos in the world, it has become a time to appreciate the simpler things in life, for those of us not on the front lines of the coronavirus fight. It is the small things that can bring comfort.
I am not sure why, but somehow, I find it oddly reassuring that my tomato babies are awakening from their slumber, pushing through the dirt and now reaching for the light all on their own. Life finds a way! And we will find a way too!
In this time, I am getting back to basics, and part of that includes big gardening plans! I have decided that this year I am going to grow as much extra food as I can. Someone is going to need it with all the economic woes resulting from this virus.
I usually have some extra veggies, that I give to friends and neighbours, but in addition to that I want to be able to give some to the food bank, or leave some extras at our local rural post office for those who need them to supplement their pantry/fridge.
Is anyone else growing a little extra in their garden this year to help others out?
I am also happy to announce a giveaway that we will be doing here at the pottery. Some of you may know that we have a newsletter that we send out a few times a year to keep people updated on our latest creations and special offers.
Once we hit 300 subscribers, we will be drawing for two prizes that will include a copy of our book ‘A Potters Dream: Myths & Legends’ an art print and piece of jewelery for one of the lucky winners. You can subscribe to our Newsletter by clicking here. Don’t worry, if you are already a subscriber, you are automatically entered.
I like the way your mind works 🙂
Thanks for your kind words. I hope you are well and of course stay safe and healthy!
What a lovely thing to do! I have a large yard perfect for gardening, but I’m not physically able
I’m just doing little container veggies.
Container gardens are great as well. Every bit helps!
Good luck with your tomatoes. I’m taking a year out from seed growing! I’m still mourning the death of my small mango tree that only survived 2 summers!
You had a mango tree? I would be in mourning if I lost one of those too! Here in Canada we can’t grow them, but I dream of the day when I have a heated winter greenhouse so I can! Enjoy your summer off!
We generally give our garden excess away as well. Another thing we do is give away the products of our garden excess. For example, last year we had an overabundance of zucchini so we made– gosh, I think 15 or more loaves of zucchini bread and froze it. At some point over the winter, we gave friends a few loaves. We’ve done the same with spicy frozen cucumbers, (frozen) zucchini lasagna, etc.
Thanks for this reminder. We are fortunate that we love to bake and cook. Some don’t but still have to eat. Might be a nice gesture to cook up the garden’s excess into something easy and share that with folks.
Again– thanks for the reminder! Can you grow black eyed peas way up north? The are just about care free and really prolific. These days, who doesn’t love dried peas & beans?
Stay well!
Oh that is a great idea! I usually make extra jam to give away and there are a few how get my tomato sauce. I love cooking and baking and preserving, I just have to pace myself so I do not burn out in making too much.
I am sure you are familiar with all the zucchini jokes 😉 There is always extra zucchinis and it is almost impossible to catch them sometimes before they get really large (those are the ones we use for bread etc), and I save the small ones for stir frys etc …
I must admit I have never grown black eyed peas, though we usually grow the regular varieties, sometimes we even manage a double planting. I will have to look into if they grow here. Thanks for the idea. I hope you are well 😉 Say hi to Rocky and Missy!
Like cucumbers! I grow mine on a trellis so you would think I could see them but there are always a few that wind up being as big as small watermelons!
I love tomatoes.
They are amazing. One year I grew about 20 different heirloom varieties. And I love my pasta sauce so I can make my specialty – lasagna! I hope you are well and staying safe and healthy!
Yummy!!! That’s quite impressive! Who knew there were so many kinds. We all are healthy and well here. I hope the same for you my friend.
Beautiful post
Thank you for your kind comment! Wishing you all the best. Stay safe!
My pleasure. You too.
Great inspiration ! Our son had a very small plot last year. Normally Sher and I are out on the road doing our festival/antique show selling thing, but with COVID-19 we are planning on staying at home now for the unforeseeable future. Thus we are planning to ramp up our garden plans! Wish us luck, as we are amateurs at best!
Oh that is exciting to here! Good luck with your garden! If you need any tips, feel free to drop me a line. Let’s hope we have a good season for it! Stay safe and well!
What a beautiful post. We can all do a little something to help out others in need, especially in times of crisis. Growing extra food and giving it away is a beautiful way to do just that. The thoughtfulness and care between neighbor to neighbor, friend to friend and kindness between strangers is what is going to see us through.
100 percent! I wish you were around because you would be spoiled for veg! I miss you and hope you are staying safe. You are dear to me.
If it ever stops raining we’ll be planting a big garden and hope to share with family, friends and neighbors. The gardening itself is therapy, so the food is a big bonus.
I hope you get some good weather so you can plant soon. I had a friend who used to say gardening is cheaper and more effective than therapy 😉 I am in full agreement! Enjoy the gardening and stay safe!
‘Tomato Babies’…. Love it! Tomatoes are delicious!
Oh yeah! Nothing like a garden fresh tomato, or making a pasta dish from the fresh stuff 😉 Stay well and safe!
You too. 😎
Lovely 🙂
Thank you Krishna! Stay safe and well!
We were just discussing what vegetables we want to grow…
Nice! What veggies are you thinking of? I find joy in both the planning and the growing. Stay safe and well!
My tomatoes never do well…
That is unfortunate to hear. Why do you think that is? You may need to ammend the soil with some compost or lime.
I usually use a grow bag and tomato food. But our back yard is probably too shady for them and I don’t have a greenhouse. X
A return to basics, how wonderful and inspiring. I really enjoyed reading this, thank you🙏
Thank you so much for your very kind comment! You are very welcome. Wishing you all the best! Stay safe and well!
Thank you for the tomatoes … yes, life and nature will find their way.
Nature always finds a way. Watching it grow and being a part of it always amazes me. Stay safe and well!
Joli jardin 👌
Merci beaucoup! Bonne sante! (I apologize in advance for my grade school french!)
Mine is no better 🙂
I think it’s so kind of you to grow vegetables to help others out.
It’s pretty easy to plant a few extras and I enjoy growing a garden, so it is a win-win! Hope you are well! Stay safe!
This is a good idea. It’s nice to see signs of spring, and realize that some things in the world haven’t changed. I live in an area that generally has a lot of excess produce, so I don’t know how helpful it would be for me to grow extra, but I have been thinking about gardens lately.
I grew tomatoes but the bugs striked again – Ahhh!
Pleasure to meet you, by the way. Good luck on your garden!
You as well! Thank you for your kind comment. I hope you are keeping well.
Well done, Alchemist!
Well done 👍
Thank you, Basit! I hope you keeping well.
I now grow extra chards in a bucket. And I have sowed flowers liked by bees, so that they may live and can be pollinators for all needed things.
Gardening is excellent therapy! Good luck with your tomatoes! Our balcony is looking very much like spring with our abundance of plants and complimented by the budding tree right behind our building. And you know, plants and trees are nature’s social gifts and we don’t have to distance ourselves from them. 🌲 🌳 🌴 🌱
Yep, we started growing tomatoes, peppers, celery, chard and lots of herbs, I wish I had more space! Gardening is so therapeutic, much needed! Take good care Jay!
What a lovely garden you have! Yes, we’re doing the same. My boyfriend and our flatmate were always the ones that were into gardening, but this year I really wanted to get involved. And you’re absolutely right – it is reassuring and comforting to see little seedlings pushing up through the soil. Well done for being so generous with your crops too 🙂
Thank you for your comment. Here is to a fruitful harvest!
I’m replanting some early girl tomatoes. Last year I had two plants that grew over the top of a six foot fence and onto my neighbors’ side. We both did so much with salads, sauces, salsas and sandwiches. I’ve already harvested my beets (and their greens), cabbage and kale. Put in some new seeds for all of those plus basil. My rosemary and oregano have continued on their own for decades. Just another way of my connecting with nature. It really helps during this time. Good fortune with your own gardening. Peace.
Art
It sounds like you have quite the beautiful garden and in a much friendlier growing zone than I am! My early girl tomatoes are just getting their first set of leaves now 😉 It is still a few weeks before I am going to be able to till the garden and get in my root veggies like beets and carrots. Gardening is an amazing way to connect with nature, and I find it a very helpful thing to do in this time. Wishing you a very successful gardening season and some more 6ft tall tomato plants! That is amazing! Much peace.
We have been thinking the same thing even before the pandemic. Your walkway and fence or archway is really beautiful. Love 💕 Joni
I got my book today in the mail! So excited to read it later! Good luck with your tomatoes.
Great to hear! Thanks for letting me know the book has come through. Enjoy!