Best When Fresh

Early morning in the garden, the humidity wraps one in a damp blanket on opening the door and stepping out into a green world. Up early, I drifted past the large flower pots along the front path, an early rising bee was busy at the Lantana.

In the side garden, and raised bed, the vegetables are struggling, not unusual here in the hot and humid Summer weather of the Southeast. I picked a fistful of perfect haricots verts dangling from the bamboo tepees...............spied some delicate yellow squash needing a few more days of sunshine before harvesting..............firm green tomatoes are expanding their waistlines as they call out for more water..............and, best of all right now, the heat loving herbs are growing rapidly both in pots and beds.

My first picked bunch of Napolitano Mammoth-Leafed Basil.

"Napolitano has absolutely huge, light green, crinkled, savoyed leaves. Richly flavored, these mammoth leaves are perfect for serious pesto makers - height 24 inches".

That's me, a "serious" pesto maker! Off to stock up on Extra Virgin Olive Oil, pine nuts and walnuts.