Summer is here and the sun is bright, so let the good “thymes” roll with the twenty-four beds in our community garden! The garden has certainly progressed and delighted many in the process. We have before and after pictures to prove it! Locally-grown produce and herbs are showing up on quite a few plates in Port O’Connor.

Naturally, worthwhile endeavors sometimes present challenges but huge dividends. This first planting has become an educational experience. What a lesson to learn how so many local birds devour red tomatoes. What a pity they could not have plowed the dirt in our early days instead of the produce. And taking the good, such as a resident bunny, comes with the bad, the critters and conditions that enjoy the space as much as we do: powdery mildew; cutter ants; nasty caterpillars; and aphids.

Gardeners are certainly seeing more of each other with the increase in weather temperatures which requires frequent watering. They take the opportunity to share the fruits, herbs and veggies of their labors with one another. While cultivating their garden beds of tomatoes, yellow squash, zucchini, corn, peas, onions, beans, and various herbs, they share ideas, too. Gardeners are most certainly enjoying digging in the soil.