Dear Friends and Fellow Gardeners,

We are now in the midst of harvesting and dealing with the abundance of produce from the garden. Everyone who visits gets to take home a sack of veggies. I also keep the Salvation Army kitchen supplied. One of the joys of growing is the joy of giving it away.

If you haven't set out your fall/winter vegetables yet, check out IndiraÕs column in last month's Connections.

Remember that vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, chard, Brussels sprouts, collards, beets, carrots, peas, onions, and lettuce of all kinds are packed with vitamins and minerals so necessary for a healthy diet.

A fall and winter garden could be as simple as mounding up an 7 to 8 foot circle of dirt, compost, soil amendment, maybe a little bone meal, and a couple of bags of manure. For the border you could plant chives or carrots or mix them. Next there could be a ring of red lettuce followed by a ring of chard, then a ring of parsley. Sprinkle in a few radish, spinach and shallots. Your only limit here is your imagination. With the many different varieties and colors of lettuce greens, you could have both a beautiful and edible salad garden.

Now is a good time to set out bulbs for spring bloom. Check your local nursery for Daffodils, Ranunculus, Iris, Crocus, Freesia, Muscari, Trillium, Anemone, Calla, Watsonia, and donÕt forget to chill out the Tulips for three to four of weeks in the fridge before planting. It is also a good idea to also use a little bone meal for all bulbs in the soil when planting.

We are proud to let all of you know that my son Michael has been accepted into the Peace Corps. Michael leaves September 26, 1998 for Washington D.C., and then on to Tanzania, Africa where he will spend the next two years.

Mike will be working on resource conservation issues that deal with deforestation and erosion. He will work closely with farmers, enlisting their support for farming practices that will protect the watershed, soil and native vegetation. Mike will also be learning and helping his local community with planting and growing vegetable gardens.

To think that my own son is contributing toward a better world in an area of my lifeÕs work and experiences is a priceless gift for which I will forever be grateful.