Delectables, Garden and Patio Ideas

If you have read anything about me you know I was reared on a farm in the great state of Mississippi.  The farm is still there, and I am long gone away.  Yet, a yearning to be a part of the land is always with me.  To satisfy a small bit of that yearning I visit farmers markets of all kinds in all places.  I was recently in Charlotte, NC for a long weekend and spent most of the Saturday morning in the terrific Charlotte Area Farmers Market.  It’s big, full of people and full of plants, flowers, and produce – great inspiration for yard and patio ideas.  By 9 am, the regulars were complaining all the parking was gone and they were parking on the grass.  There are 4 sheds. The first one we shopped in was the local small plant grower shed.  I was very tempted by the perfectly grown, and always hard to find Daphne O’dora.  I passed it up on the way to the table full of German Bearded Iris specimen rhizomes with the cut back fans labeled in black indelible ink.  The ladies of the Iris Society had print outs with pictures of each variety in bloom.  I could not resist the Fiery Temper that blooms with deep red and purple falls.  I liked the name as much as the flower.

Sister and I made a quick pass through the craft shed on our way to the flower shed.  Buckets and buckets full of summer’s glory; hydrangeas, dahlias, daises, tuberoses, roses stood at the Vietnamese vendors tables.  The color and combinations made the paper wrapped bunches irresistible.  I could have eaten the flowers! Whether for food or just a feast for the eyes, all made for great landscaping and patio ideas to remember back home in Atlanta. This is not too far away for inspiration for the landscape and garden design we do as Gardens to Love in the greater Atlanta area.

But the organic vegetables were in the next shed at the farmers market and were an even greater temptation than the flowers.  The farmers were rightly proud of their high summer produce, meats, and cheeses.   We filled two bags with fresh goat cheese, lady peas, tomatoes, peppers, squash blossoms, fresh breakfast sausage, and for the dog at home – a stew bone. Not everything is for merely visual consumption; there’s nothing like a great farmers market to offer temptations for the various senses! Gifts for the palate as well as yard and patio ideas.

I tip my hat and salute with my shovel to the men, women , and children who work the land to cultivate beautiful healthy food for the love of it and for a better world for me and you.

Marcia Weber

Want more ideas for your patio or garden? See our post about the value of a good garden planner.

 

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