Last year was the first time we graduated from a potted garden to a more traditional in-ground garden. While we were excited to have a “real” garden last year, it’s been incredibly to see the garden mature into a a thriving community of soil bacteria, insects, fungi and of course – the plants.

Last year I thought the kale was big. This year they’re absolutely GIGANTIC. My un-scientific conjecture is that now the soil has developed a strong community of organisms, my vegetables are benefiting from the assistance of symbiotic relationships formed with the mycorrhizae and other little microscopic miracle workers.

And then there’s the tomatoes. Wow. They’ve already grown past their cages and full of fruit.  Today I got to harvest the first tomato of the year. A large cherry variety, this beauty actually smells like a tomato. I can add it to my current harvest of peas, kale, zucchini, lettuce, bunching onions, strawberries and beets.

I’m looking forward to tomato season!