the glory of the garden

It's been a vegetably summer. I've had some lovely moments wandering around allotments and visiting the incredible kitchen garden at Helmingham Hall. I've cycled slowly past market gardens and peeped over garden walls into domestic potagers on the Ile de Re. I've walked round markets admiring the produce, and I've read a pile of books on allotments and vegetables and kitchen gardens.

All of which has confirmed my view that vegetables are 'the glory of the garden'. This phrase is always at the back of my mind; it's from this poem by Rudyard Kipling which, among other things, celebrates the real work of gardening and it was read at my brother's funeral ten years ago. He was a landscape architect so knew all too well that gardening was not about singing '"Oh, how beautiful!'" and sitting in the shade'.

Some of my favourite parts of a garden are the 'tool- and potting-sheds which are the heart of it all' and 'the cold-frames and the hot-houses', because these often carefully hidden spots are where the vegetables start and are nurtured as seedlings and young plants and some, later, as tender, mature plants. I like the mix of pragmatism and mysticism which pervades sowing and germination and pricking out and potting, all of which is then forgotten when the vegetables turn into sturdy plants, all hale and hearty and clearly able to fend for themselves in the garden.

Maybe it's this air of robustness and ordinariness which makes some people overlook, or perhaps take for granted, the sheer beauty of vegetables. I am constantly delighted by their wonderful colours, shapes, textures and growth habits and it's good to know there are other enlightened souls who enjoy the sight of courgettes and borlotti beans, artichokes and radishes as much as I do. When I was taking photos of my very favourite potager this summer (a veritable minestrone, crammed with all sorts of vegetables and flowers) a local lady cycled past and said, 'Vous avez raison de prendre un photo. C'est le plus beau jardin a Ste Marie' ('you're right to take a photo - it's the most beautiful garden in Ste Marie').

Just look at these beauties. Smooth, knobbly, spiky, curvaceous, 

gleaming, matt, slender, squat,

exotic, ordinary,

simple, complex,

labour-intensive, happy-go-lucky,

or just sunning themselves.

I've grown some vegetables at home, too. I have runner beans so that I can enjoy the way they twirl round their supports like ballerinas, and then Phoebe can pick them and remove the fresh, mottled seeds (I confess we don't eat them - their taste reminds me of dreadful, overboiled school dinners) and a few golden courgettes which are always eaten. I have some slug-ridden red cabbages with lacework leaves and some brilliant ruby chard which I'll leave to go to seed because it doesn't taste of much and creates a warm, red glow on dull days. Simon has harvested dozens of garlic bulbs and we are already getting excited about potatoes, chillis and purple beans for next year.

For that is the other glory of the garden and of vegetables - we can always live in hope.

Comments

[aimee]

This is just so beautiful! The images are so lush, juicy and vibrant!

[WiscJennyAnn]

The photographs are just gorgeous. I absolutely adore late summer!

[Kristen]

I've been thinking a lot about gardens this summer too. Both sets of my grandparents had gardens...it seemed everyone did. And now, we have a few basic things growing...and people think we're real extreem. The purple beans you have in the photo with the eggplant...I have those in my yard this year. I let the kids watch them steam...they turn green as they cook...and they taste fabulous. Royal Purple Beans (I think)

[hPNY Knits]

marvellous photos!
when will the book be available in the US?

[michael]

I just got in from the morning harvest in my garden with tomatoes, zucchini, purple carrots, basil, beans, cucumbers and blackberries aplenty. (and I bet figs are coming soon, too)

[Kathleen]

I love potager gardens. Something useful but also pretty, a bit rambly, but also structured.

[Stella]

I could look at vegetables all day, but those beans in particular are just beautiful.

[elizabeth]

Yes, I read that somewhere: where there are gardens, there is hope. It surprises and encourages me to drive past housing projects and see stakes for vegetables and hollyhocks.

[Gigi]

I had never heard the Kipling poem before. It is wonderful as are all the photos! Thanks for sharing.

[Dorothy]

I've always loved a vegetable garden. If I were anything other than a lazy gardener, I would put some in our yard. I think I may have to give raised beds a try. I hear they are low maintenance and all those lovelies are inspiring me to try for next year.

I have never seen pink beans before. Those are really cool and I may see if I can get my hands on some just for the novelty of them.

[Luisa]

Oh, lovely. My tomatoes are just coming on; you've inspired me to go take some photos.

[Sarah]

Ahhh.

I too love the summer garden and all it brings.

I just picked (and blogged) a huge platter of aubergines this morning, and now, sitting at my desk, it still makes me smile.

[Rhoda]

Hi Jane,
I just wanted to let you know I have linked to you on my blog. I'm never sure of the ettiquette of these things so I thought I'd let you know.

[catherine]

Just beautiful photos Jane - the "glory of the garden" indeed, thank you. I love wandering in my mother's vegetable garden, and look forward to one day having more room for vegetables in my own garden!

[Daisy Cottage]

Oh what a symphony for the eyes!
xo,
Kim

[Linda]

We are in a drought here so the vegetable garden is fallow but I get the same thrill looking around the lovely greengrocers. I find an excuse to go most days.

[Lizbon]

I couldn't agree more - I adore vegetable gardens, and just as much, the way the bounty from them looks heaped on tables and in overflowing crates at the farmers' market.

[Jessica Gregory]

Runner beans -- to avoid that "overboiled" taste, steam lightly for 2-3 minutes and then saute the beans in a bit of oil with some garlic and some tomatoes -- delicious!

[romelda mckee]

Thank you for capturing the essence of summer gardening . . I look forward to your photographs and remarks. Now I'm off to my wayside gardener and a sun-warmed cantaloupe!

[Jayne]

Gorgeous pics, and a wonderful tribute to your brother. I'm sure he would be very proud and pleased. You inspire me every day!

[Max Guo]

Lord, but you inspire me!

[Jennifer]

Well, what a lovely post. It's only 9am here and I'm hungry already! Those beans are glorious!
Silly me, I always thought courgette was another name for brussel sprouts. LOL.

[Zylo]

Borlotti beans? Are those the pinka and white pods in the picture above? I MUST find some. They are so beautiful.

[Chayele]

Gorgeous pictures! It's so wonderful discovering other knitters, but dare I ask . . . are there other vegetarian knitters out there?

[Jeanne]

Lovely poem -- thanks for sharing.