“Gardening is about enjoying the smell of things growing in the soil, getting dirty without feeling guilty and generally taking the time to soak up a little peace and serenity. ”

~ Lindley Karstens, author

Pandemic! Gulf of Mexico – two simultaneous hurricanes! California – 1.25 million acres burned!

While the world’s gone wild we ache for serenity and peace; it feels elusive. Look around our community and slightly beyond and it can be found! Where? There is one answer but divided into two areas. If you guessed outdoors, you’re almost there! The first: the great outdoors beyond the front porch; and the second: our own backyard gardens.

Every night as evening falls and the day begins to cool folks and their fidos hit the local Crescenta Valley streets and trails. Besides the benefits of taking in the comfortable temperatures, we may come in contact with real people … face-to-face! Most would agree our neighborhood has grown closer. Be certain the wearing of masks and six-foot distancing is adhered to. Most evenings we set out with a leashed Brighton and a bag of (home grown) tomatoes. Sounds of talking, laughing and barking … and on occasion growls … are heard up and down the street. Even with the present no place to go, life is good!

Before school began, many of us were in want of something constructive and fun to keep busy while stuck at home. At first, cooking fit the bill. Then as the weather warmed in May and June, a healthier option took over … gardening.

The following “gardening in the foothills” is by no means horticulturally sound advice. Our pre-COVID garden (the edible variety) was scant – an apple tree, a tangerine tree, two sour seedy grapevines and a patch of oregano. One day in April my husband arrived home with a gift; no, not flowers, but two tomato plants! One was an Early Girl, the other a Big Boy. They are true organics – no mulch, fertilizer or pesticides are used. In a few months time, they overtook part of our backyard. Every other day we pick a basket of beautiful and wonderfully delicious tomatoes. There’s only one problem; we can’t give them away fast enough. What’s the secret? Easy: very moderate watering, rocky soil (75% rock) and a little neglect. I almost forgot to give credit to Southern California’s weather of abundant summer heat. So far no tomato hornworms but local squirrels and rats regularly stop by for a midnight snack!

A welcomed cooling trend begins tomorrow, Friday, and is predicted to take us into next week. High temperatures are expected be around normal (85-90 degrees) for this time of year. Summer’s heat is just taking a short break.

Sue Kilpatrick is a Crescenta Valley
resident and Official Skywarn Spotter for the
National Weather Service Reach her
at suelkilpatrick@gmail.com.

  Sue Kilpatrick