This morning’s strawberries and blueberries.

As we move into summer our roles in the garden shift. We still tend our crops but we become “hunters and gatherers” as well. We are hunting for berries, and with good results. But we also start to hunt for the blossoms that offer a glimpse of the future. Blossoms on the tomatoes, melons and squash are strong signals that our late-summer crops are growing and thriving. Tendrils on the peas and rapid growth of our arugula and greens means that we are just weeks away from tasty salads and peas from the shell. Our cucumbers blossom and climb, and we can almost taste the refrigerator pickles. We see the slightest dash of red and know that radishes are on the way. It’s a happy hunt through the garden.

Blueberries from the “perfect” bush.

As for our berries, they are at their peak. The strawberries are tasty and plentiful. The blueberries are big and sweet. The fruit from each blueberry bush tastes very different and we enjoy comparing them as we snack in the garden. We have one bush this year that has simply delightful blueberries. Sweet and with a slightly tart finish and soft skins, these berries are one of the best things we have ever tasted. We just stand there, eat the berries and smile. I could never mix a cocktail, or Carolyn craft a confection that compares to a perfect blueberry, just picked, from the garden. Nature stands unrivaled. And we are grateful.

Strawberries are very sweet now, and plentiful.

Melons and arugula in the front, moving to tomatoes.

More nasturtiums, these go into salads.

Melon blossom. These had us worried but they seem to be pulling through. Continue reading →