Even better - my days over that span have been punctuated with visits from fellow garden enthusiasts, heirloom hunters, long time customers and many that I am meeting for just the first or second time. Unlike previous years, when Fridays and, especially, Saturdays at the Farmers Market were just madness - parking difficult to find, my customer visits compressed into a short time period that didn't allow for the sharing of experiences, advice, suggestions - or even a chance to say hi, on some occasions - this season has been relaxed, gradual, and utterly delightful. Though it is likely a hardship for some of you in a longer drive to the boonies of North Raleigh (for which I am deeply appreciative), it is really for the best...instead of disappointing by not having items that sell out instantly, the opportunity to browse it all here hopefully has made up for it.
And - perhaps the best of all - some of the conversations we've had, and new friendships that have emerged over common interests - it has really energized me (as if I need any more energy when it comes for my gardening passions!)....over the last weeks we've had discussions about beer, wine, dark chocolate, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, our favorite recipes, movies, and so much more. I've been able to demonstrate the Water Scarecrow (no one has gotten wet yet!), transplanting, various containers sizes and selections, the 100 year old Lilac that surprisingly thrives on our side yard (growing here thanks to my grandfather, Walter, who grew it at his Rhode Island home, and my dad, Wilfred, who rooted the cutting and brought it to us 20 years ago).
The season is late this year, so the plants remain plentiful, and more visits here are still to be completed and scheduled....and, starting this week, my own garden efforts need to accelerate - time is flying!
Again, thanks to all of you who took the time and effort to stop by, and thanks in advance to those who soon will. I've got my list - recipes to share, my home roasted coffee to share (and get feedback on!), movies to put into my rental queue, some bartered wine (bottles for seedling!) to sample, lunches to schedule. What fun!