We used to have a vegetable garden, but let the project go a few years ago. That place in the back yard is currently filled with wildflowers. And we can get excellent fresh vegetables from local growers as the annual schedule of farmers' markets swings into high gear.

But, realizing that nothing beats a fresh tomato picked, sliced for dinner, and eaten in the space of about 45 minutes, we decided to try to grow a few things in containers on the deck. A friend who was cleaning out a shed on his dad's property gave us a couple of bushel baskets, and we installed two tomato plants. At first I thought that one of the two wasn't going to be happy in its new location, but it has perked up, and the second one was OK from the get go.

And while looking around the garden supply store, I noticed something called an "Earthbox" which purported to be a perfect environment for growing vegetables in a limited space. There's a kind of drainage system built in, and a cover which (I guess) retains heat and holds moisture. I got two cucumber plants - the pickling kind, which I like better for salads - and set them up. I could tell they had gotten bigger since planted, and this morning - they are both blooming!

Fresh cukes on the horizon!