I recently received a seed catalog from one of the mail-order companies that I have done business with in the past, and it got me thinking about planting a spring vegetable garden, which I have not been able to do the past two seasons.

I have a 50- by 60-foot area, which I have tilled, planted and cultivated over the past 30 years. Some years were very productive and others had marginal results. During the years that I raised sheep on my land, I plowed their natural fertilizer into the ground. But since the little woolies have been gone, I've had to rely on commercial fertilizer.

The weather is always a factor, and being different each year, the resulting produce may be modest or abundant. About five years ago, I came across a natural liquid fertilizer that made my vegetables grow like magic. Every day during harvest time that year, I would back my car up to the garden and fill the trunk with squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, cantaloupes and those large green, striped watermelons that don't grow in this area. I delivered many pounds of succulent fruits and vegetables to grateful friends.

I know this sounds like an “Alice in Wonderland” story, so I better talk a little about the hard part (there always is one). First, I had to rototill the ground, mark the rows, dig a shallow trench, plant the seeds, fertilize, water the seedlings, remove the ever-growing weeds and prune or thin the plants as needed. All this before the fun of harvesting.

Did I mention the mixed emotions of watching the plants grow? Are they growing fast enough? Are they blossoming soon enough? Are they getting enough sun and warmth?

And what about rain? If you've done much gardening, you know that you can put all the “hose water” in the world on your plants, but it just doesn't take the place of rain.

And then at harvest time you face the stark realization that tons of produce are available at the farmer's market and roadside stands at prices that may be equal to the cost of your production, not counting your labor.

But don't let that cause you to turn your garden plot into lawn. The satisfaction of creating this bounty from seed, through your own skills will be worth the effort. Not to mention the just-picked taste.

So enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor. And for those of you who grow flowers, you can be proud of the beauty you are creating for yourselves and others.

If you have any thoughts, ideas or any good stories, I'd like to hear from you. Please call me at 567-9989.

Tom DeFurio is former town supervisor for Sennett.