Yesterday, Tom and I went to visit my dad down in San Diego. One of the highlights, always, is the Garden Tour. Every time I’ve visited since I moved out thirty years ago, the first words (after initial greetings) from dad have been – “How about a garden tour?”
The man has magic in his hands. About twenty years or so ago, he decided to dig up his lawn and plant. Tomatoes, cucumbers, pumpkins – you name it, he planted it. This section of used-to-be-lawn now regularly gets tilled (the old fashioned way – with a shovel) and prepared every February for planting.
These are his tomato plants. They make mine look puny. PUNY, I tell you! (Note the sunflowers facing away at the top of the photo!)
And take a look at his pumpkins. Mine got started about a month after his did, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that eventually they’ll really take off. Neither of mine are the gigantic pumpkins like his are, but still…aren’t those leaves pretty?
This one is about 12 – 15 inches across.
The leaves are about knee high.
Then there are the sunflowers. Freaking gorgeous! When I told him about my spindly ones with lots of flowers, he said he’s always wanted to grow those. So…this fall, we shall have a sunflower seed exchange, lol. Hopefully next year I’ll be able to grow dinner plate beauties!
These stand about 17′ high.
Plus his apple trees, berry bushes, and the Meyer Lemon tree that started my fixation with all things lemon, a long time ago. I always make sure to pick as many lemons as I can, and stash them in the fridge to keep them as long as I can. I may actually have to learn how to preserve lemons!
(So far, my own little Meyer Lemon trees still have their lemons – and they’re getting to be a good size, too. So keep your fingers crossed for those trees!)
Here’s Dad’s Meyer Lemon tree…
The tree that started it all…
And now, of course, a photo of my dad, resting in the garden.
Chet Cunningham
Though you can’t see it, behind the lemon tree to the left is the berry bush – beyond that is a pear tree. You can see just a bit of the Grapefruit Tree that Ate the House on the right.
This is the yard I grew up in, missing only the swing and the above-ground pool (which used to stand where the tomatoes are now).
Now you know why I garden. Thanks, Daddy. Love you!
~~~
I hope you enjoy the re-design of the site. I’m still working on it. Do check the Writer’s News page for all the writerly news.
Thanks so much for stopping by. I’m so glad to see you!
I truly have garden envy. My mom can grow anything, but I didn’t inherit that gene/talent/gift. It’s nice that you are like gardening as well. His plants are beautiful.
Beautiful pictures, Christine. You can really tell your dad loves his yard. My dad was a nurturer and loved to care for his garden too. The picture of you dad reminds me of him. I love Meyer lemons! So pretty. The sunflowers are amazing too. I do NOT have a green thumb, but my hubby does, thankfully. He works the garden and I enjoy the view!
Gardening is a ton of work, but it’s well worth it. My grapefruit tree is getting huge. Hope it doesn’t eat the house. ; )
Love the new design and the pictures from your childhood yard and your dad’s garden.
Beautiful garden! My mom and sister have the gardening gene, but it skipping right past me.
I so miss gardening on the central coast of CA – the only item I can go toe-to-toe with are the sunflowers! Great pictures and wonderful garden.
I don’t know how wicked those water lilies are, but they certainly are beautiful to look at – as are your dad’s garden pics.
To me, even better than the lemons themselves is the magnificent fragrance when they bloom in the spring. Truly heavenly.
Your dad’s garden is incredible! So envious of the lemons. I can’t even grow a little Meyer lemon in my house because the house gets too cold at night in winter (at least according to my nursery catalog.)