Best Of Health

This is the first year I got into some serious gardening. When we moved into this house two and a half years ago we inherited some beautifully manicured gardens filled with clematis, honeysuckle and ivy from the previous owner. I added a few tomato plants and lettuce in tubs and left at that.

This year I decided to rethink the whole yard and filled every blank space with peas, green beans, cucumbers, squash and so on. We dug up some of the lawn to make way for the new plantings. I must say the floral beauty was compromised somewhat. Two of the  hostas are completely hidden but the jungle like greenery was incredible. And so were the amazing fresh vegetables we enjoyed all summer. The taste of green bean and peas picked, steamed and taken straight to the table has no comparison. While tomatoes have a sweetness beyond compare. Raw tomato soup (in recipe archives as "Easy Raw Soup") made from fresh picked tomatoes and cucumbers was a favourite served with lightly grilled zucchini and onion.

Needless to say I am already planning next year's garden which will involve much less grass and many more beds. I am even thinking a few stocks of corn in the far back corner..........

So no blade of grass will be safe, no inedible portion of lawn will survive, except of course the beautiful patch of dandelion I have cultivated for salad greens over by the rose bushes. And yes, the flowers will be encouraged for they are food for the soul