Last year we had snow on September 8th. I wasn’t happy. This year it’s the first week of October and we are still enjoying 70 and 80 degree days. I am definitely happy. One of rich blessings that has come with this extended, unexpected, and highly appreciated summer season is that my garden is still growing and looking (pretty) good. Yay!
For years I have tried to grow sweet peas. (Tried being the operative word!) My mom grew them along a fence in our back yard when I was growing up, and I came to love them just like she did. So, of course, I’ve planted their BB sized seeds each year with high hopes. To very little or no avail. This year I scoped out a narrow strip of bare dirt along the west side of our garage. The ground is rocky and Karl just shook his head, certain that this would be another year of failure. I bought seeds and dutifully planted them the week of Easter – which years ago my mother-in-law informed me was the right time to plant sweet peas. I can’t tell you how excited I was when the little seedlings began to poke up.
I’ve had a bumper crop of sweet peas this summer. We’ve had to tie the hearty plants up with string and install a lattice behind for them to grow up on. Every few days I’ve gone out to cut the flowers, enjoying the mellow moments associated with the task and relishing in the delicate fragrance that accompanied the bouquets into the house. I have two vases full right now (Thanks, Branda for the cut crystal one!), and I smile each time I catch a glimpse or a whiff of them.
I count all summers precious, truly a gift from God, and this one has been made even sweeter with the gift of delicately perfumed lavender, white, and pink gifts called sweet peas. I know that cold weather is coming (next week!), and my plants will die, but the joy of this summer’s flower gifts will remain even through the icy cold, and I am already looking forward to next Easter!
