The zucchini, cucumbers, beans, and potatoes are showing off.
We’ve hit that time of year when I find monsters hiding under leaves I swear I already checked. These things are bold. I pulled two zucchini the size of canoes out of the garden today. I tripped over one of them. I swear it was not there yesterday.
And they just keep coming. I’m really surprised they’re so tasty when they’re that size, but they are.
Every day, a new harvest. Every day, another round of “what do we do with all of this?”
That is one joyful problem to have.
The Distribution Plan
First, we feed ourselves. Then, we share with family. Here and there, we leave a little box at the end of the driveway for neighbors to grab what they’d like. It makes me happy when I see someone slow down and walk away with a squash or a bundle of beans.
And the rest goes to the little food pantry at the library. It’s the kind with the glass door like a little free library. I wasn’t sure if produce would be welcome… wasn’t sure how often people check it, or if vegetables would disappear.
But every time I leave food, it’s gone by the next day.
I’ve been a vegetable-pusher from way back, as those around me can testify with much rolling of eyes. So it’s encouraging and sobering. These are tough times, and I don’t pretend this fixes anything, but any time I can get a vegetable into someone’s belly, I’m just a little happier. And it feels good to know the garden’s excess is landing where it’s wanted.
What’s Next
– Keep harvesting. No one out there but the lettuce is slowing down.
– Be grateful that this garden gives more than we need.
– Make more stuffed zucchini.
The garden feeds us, one giant squash at a time. And with any luck, it’s feeding a few others too.
