What’s New in the Gardens?

Tomatoes on the Vine

Tomatoes on the Vine © 2008 Bo Mackison

The tomatoes are so thick with blossoms and fruit this year, the tomato plants are requiring extra stakes. Good news for my salads and spaghetti sauce.

Full Moon Pumpkin

“Full Moon” Pumpkin © 2008 Bo Mackison

“Full Moon” – the ‘great white’ of pumpkins, though not really white. More pastel orange. It can grow 25-50 pounds. This pumpkin’s photograph was taken on the day of the full moon – think that makes it a lucky pumpkin?

Sweet Beauty Watermelon

“Sweet Beauty” Watermelon © 2008 Bo Mackison

The fruit of the “Sweet Beauty” is sweet and crisp. Perfect for dessert any night.

I went to our University’s Annual Field Days at their Research Gardens. There they show off all the produce of their test gardens and even provide free samples – the corn and salsa and raspberries were really perfect. Even got to vote on favorites, so maybe the tomato I loved will be in seed packets and at the garden centers in a year or two.

Giant Sunflower and New Perspective

Giant Sunflower

Giant Sunflower © 2008 Bo Mackison

When you take time out to rest your back upon the earth, and look up into the summer skies, it’s amazing what you just might see. Perhaps, like I did, you might see life from a different perspective.

Early Apples in a Crate

Crate of Apples

Crate of Apples © 2008 Bo Mackison

It seems early for apples, but the first organic fruits are taking their places in the area farmers’ markets. These are on the smaller side, but so juicy and sweet. I liked the simple fruit framed in the crate and tried it in black and white.

Early Apples

Early Apples © 2008 Bo Mackison

But I like the photo is a soft color, too. Sometimes it’s fun to just play with a photograph and see all the different techniques that speak in different ways.

Day Lily on Fire

Red Day Lily

Red Day Lily © 2008 Bo Mackison

Doesn’t it look like it is aflame – such intensity in that yellow. Nearly glowing.

An Old Recipe for Scented Lavender Ink

Lavender from My Backyard Garden

Lavender from My Backyard Garden © 2008 Bo Mackison

Ever need to post something to calm and refresh yourself? That is what this simple photograph of lavender is meant to do for me this evening. I imagine breathing deeply in the plants and feeling a gentle relaxation overcome me.

I have had this recipe for many years, and have never made it, but maybe this August will be a good month to give it a try. My great-grandmother made scented inks every summer using a variety of garden flowers, including heirloom roses, geraniums and her very favorite, lavender.

LAVENDER INK

An ink that you scent with the flowers of the lavender plant will surely send a message of calm and enjoyment when the special recipient opens the envelope. What an added enjoyment to the message you send…

People do still write an occasional letter now and then — don’t they?

Here’s the recipe.

1/2 ounce lavender flowers, dried well
5-6 tablespoons of water (distilled if possible)
one small bottle purchased ink, black or dark blue

Crush the dried lavender flowers and simmer them in water for about 30 minutes – until there is 2 tablespoons of brown liquid left in the pan.

Strain through a piece of cheesecloth and mix with ink when fully cooled.

Enjoy.