So How Does YOUR Garden Grow?

A. Nonymus

The searing sun burns down on our tortured Gulf Coast soil, as we bake in this seemingly endless, and rampant heatwave... 45 straight days over 100! Gardens are far from our reality, but certainly not far from our thoughts.

In contrast to our baked ground and severe gardening conditions, our local flea market is overflowing with stalls stocked full of marvelous fruits and vegetables. This shopping adventure is virtually a bonafide 'farmers market'.

We are fortunate to have an alternative to our expensive grocery chain stores and their expensive fresh produce at our local flea market. We are able to have really nice fresh fruit and vegetables, remarkably cheap. Today; 4 cantaloupes for $2, delicious and juicy fresh peaches, 4 the size of baseballs for $1. I don't think we could possibly grow them so cheaply in our 'planned'/ imagined garden.

Whilst I was selecting some lovely cantaloupes and peaches today, I couldn't overlook the abundant cornucopia of mangoes, papayas, tomatoes, avocados, exotic melons and fruits, on display at my favorite stand, which belies our frightful and terrible drought and water shortage.

These products have to come here to be for sale after journeys from far and wide... some local truck farms, but some of the products come from Mexico or Central America, and lots of special items come from Chile or even other exotic places like California or Georgia.

This wonderfully abundant display , offered a moments welcome contrast to the oppressive drought, and gives us to ponder what our garden 'might have become'... Sigh, oh well ...we are in good company - think Chicago Cubs, yep, we'll get'em next year!

More to follow .... Happy Gardening.... or shopping at your Flea or Farmers Market!


KimB

On the above Hot Note – it's been so hot here that the tomatoes have stopped producing tomatoes.

Temperatures at night are cool if 101 or so. During the day it can hit 109+. And we live on the cool side of town. A trip to the big mall to our west and 113 or so is normal. Getting into the car after a shopping trip: the temperature inside registers 126 and drops as we head homeward.

I am bucket watering every day just in hopes of keep everything from flopping over completely.