I mentioned last Saturday that I just play at gardening. It’s a hobby more than a necessity, and I said we’d starve if we had to live on what I grow. There’s no plowed rectangle with neatly lined rows. But you will find some herbs tucked among the flowers or flowers tucked among the vegetables. I’ve got several areas where pansies and parsley are planter-mates.

I usually grow collards, but this year I’ve put in some broccoli. They’re still babies now, but six plants will give enough in the spring to make a meal or two and add raw to some salads.

And speaking of salads, I’ve got several types of lettuce to keep me happy all winter. If we have a hard freeze, I can throw a sheet over them, and they’ll be fine.

The water oak trees in our yard, and from nextdoor are still shedding leaves. They will continue to do it until around March, when they put out new spring growth. Oak leaves and veggies don’t play well together. I think it has something to do with the acidity of the leaves, and vegetables prefer alkaline soils. You can see in my pictures evidence of lots of oak leaves. It’s a never ending battle. Win a few-lose a few.

I always look forward to my blueberries in late spring, but I’m trying some strawberries again. I’ve never had good luck with them, mainly because of slugs. Yes, I’ve tried the usual warfare with them. We will see.

And I also planted some Bright Lights swiss chard. I’ve never planted it before. I never eaten it either. I’ll look up some recipes that seem appealing or tear it up in a salad. I mainly got it because it’s pretty. The colors go well with my pansies.

See, I told you I just play at growing my own food.

The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. –Genesis 2:15

Shalom, Dottie

If you don’t check in with me for next Tuesday’s blog, I will take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas.