Gardener’s dilemma

This happens in every gardener’s life. By this, I mean those of us who are amateurs, not real farmers. For them, there is no dilemma — nature rules, you never leave, life is dirt, literally.

But for those of us who, with much dedication, over long years, tend a plot in our yard and bring in edible crops, there’s always the dilemma of summer. The vacation, the family obligation, the weekend away. It’s always the wrong time. This year, I’ve got my usual family duty of going to Kansas in late July. And it’s always when the green beans come in strong. Sometimes it’s the second crop. This year, because of cold and rain, it’s the first. If you don’t get those beans off the vines, you don’t get a second crop. I’m trying to keep on top of it, but I leave on Thursday. If anyone out there wants to come pick a very small plot of really lovely French filet beans, email me. They’re never as good as the first crop!