In May the only plants growing in my little garden were neat rows of garlic shoots. I planted the cloves in the fall before the earth froze. As the summer progressed the shoots were overshadowed by towering tomatoes and climbing vines on either side (the invasive beanstalks went so far as to wrap around the shoots like a pole). Underground however the bulbs steadily grew.  Unlike other fickle vegetables in my garden (I’m talking to you zucchini!) this allium batted a thousand.  I planted 9 cloves and harvested 9 shapely bulbs. I never thought I would describe the humble garlic as “plump and juicy” but this description fits this homegrown variety.…

It is my habit to check on my little garden each morning. Inspect. Prune. Sniff. I am constantly amazed by the amount of growth that happens over night, stems reaching up, leaves stretching out, limbs twisting about, expanding into the empty spaces, and most joyously at times, sprouting a pretty flower. That’s what I found this morning: the first zucchini blossom. I have already harvested bushels of lettuce, kale, arugula, and eaten plenty of crunchy salads, but it’s the summer squash and scarlet beans that adorn my garden like jewels. Gems of splashy orange blossoms and tiny red flowers. Pretty to look at, absolutely. But those fragile blooms are also…