Year of the Miniatures

This growing season was, apparently, the season of miniature vegetables. If you live in New England you know why. If you don't, let me explain:

Our June featured exactly three days of sunshine. June, the month when seedlings need the sun's energy to grow from a sprout to and bonafide plant, gave them almost nothing they needed. Not enough light and too much water can spell disaster to a bed of delicate baby veggies.

We watched 2 successions of lettuce seedlings float away, and we saw the squash go for a swim. All the while, our tomatoes were quietly contracting a fungus.

Given the fact that the plants had only three months to do what they do, it's no wonder they only had a chance to get this big.

This year, I am thankful for farmers markets. I'm grateful for the fact that our survival doesn't completely rely on what we produce in our back yard because, looking at this handful of miniature veggies, we would surely go hungry.

Of course, I am exaggerating a bit. We did get a healthy crop of carrots, cukes, kale and green beans, but these minis are just so...sad and puny!