Get in the Garden » summer http://www.getinthegarden.com Sowing a better world ... one garden at a time Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:02:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 Heirloom Vegetables: Art in the Garden http://www.getinthegarden.com/2010/02/heirloom-vegetables-art-in-the-garden/ http://www.getinthegarden.com/2010/02/heirloom-vegetables-art-in-the-garden/#comments Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:14:58 +0000 Lisa Gustavson http://getinthegarden.com/?p=2507 While I sift through seed packets and sketch out garden plans for the summer garden I am reminded again just how valuable heirloom seeds are. The history and heritage of each is a fascinating look back at gardening in countries all over the world. Seeds were lovingly collected and saved, safely tucked away for the [...]]]>

While I sift through seed packets and sketch out garden plans for the summer garden I am reminded again just how valuable heirloom seeds are. The history and heritage of each is a fascinating look back at gardening in countries all over the world. Seeds were lovingly collected and saved, safely tucked away for the long voyage to this country and started anew. Amazing!

As I look to my list and arrange plants in their proper places on paper, I’m also struck by the beautiful “pictures” I can create in the garden with heirloom vegetables. A stroke of purple from eggplant Listada and a hint of Caspian Pink tomato blended with Golden Sweet peas paints a Monet-worthy picture. For eye-popping color, the vividly colored Bright Lights chard, Tequila Sunrise peppers and Mascara lettuce yields a Warhol effect. Renaissance still-life paintings come to life in the textures and lines of Costoluto tomato, Marina di Chiogga squash and Prescott Fond Blanc melon. Heirloom art that grows!

I play with my food…  I like to mix the plants up, mingling the vegetables and the flowers, planting my own “works of art”. Each year as I plant my appreciation of the beauty and details of each blossom and fruit grows. Heirloom seeds are true treasures, they’re art in the garden!

Brode Galeux d'Eyesine heirloom squash.

Brode Galeux d'Eyesine heirloom squash.

]]> http://www.getinthegarden.com/2010/02/heirloom-vegetables-art-in-the-garden/feed/ 6