. . . My heart sank in silent fear as I gazed at the beautiful green plants and wondered about their fate. They looked viable and healthy, but doom hung in the air like a wet blanket.

The tomato plants were full of blossoms and a few pink fruits. Onions stood tall like thin soldiers lined up for battle being securely anchored by hairy roots clinging to the ground. The cabbages curled up into a tight ball to avoid the inevitable. All of the plants have given their utmost to grow despite the odds.

Here it is, almost September, and our garden looks like it should be early July. But, it is not the plants' fault. We secured strong healthy plants only to ask them to wait. Wait until the garden had fertilizer, wait until it was properly tilled and wait until it stopped raining. They struggled to work with us to the best of their ability.

After finally getting them planted, we watched as they slowly bulked up and put some meat on their skinny limbs. Some added blossoms giving variety and color to our dull garden. Peppers, cucumbers and kohlrabies have taken on weight adding foliage and food to harvest. The carrots, being shy, are hiding their progress, but the lacy green tops indicate a delicious surprise in progress.

Now, if it just doesn't freeze until Thanksgiving, there is hope of relieving these faithful plants of their duty while we enjoy the fruits of their labor. Together, we have fought the battle of weeds, bugs, cool temperatures and drought; these plants deserve better than suffering an early killing frost.

May your day be filled with yummy tummy treats from your garden.