This year we decided to outsource the majority of our vegetable gardening and purchased a share of a CSA farm.  Every Thursday for the past eight weeks we've received a delivery of uberfresh and delicious local produce.  And every Thursday for the past eight weeks I've felt like I've hit the jackpot!  Plus, we are supporting our local community and farmers, which feels AWESOME (and is very important). 

What is a CSA you ask?  Community Supported Agriculture is both a marketing strategy and service for farmers and consumers.  It allows consumers to purchase a "share" of a local farm and in return they will receive fresh (many times organic), seasonal food, usually on a weekly basis.  Primarily the food is produce, but some farmers provide the option of purchasing dairy, eggs, meats and poultry.   

I'm loving our CSA, Nature Road Farm.  Every week, farmer Randy drops off a bag full of just-harvested produce to my husband's office.  That's right, he delivers (bonus!).  The produce is seasonal, of course, so we've already devoured cool season crops such as asparagus, a fantastic variety of greens, beets, cabbage, broccoli, carrots and strawberries.  Lately our baskets have been stuffed with beans, peas, potatoes, zucchini, summer squash, cucumbers and sweet corn. 

Today's loot had my first real tomato of the season - ughghghhllll (Homer Simpson hunger groan) and that's right folks, those are blueberries!  Holla!

I've been trying things that I would normally bypass at the store or farmer's market.  For example, I've never really eaten radishes.  Why is that?  I have no idea, because they are freaking delicious!  Also, my two-year old seems more willing to eat these veggies than other ones.  Let me tell you, I was one proud mama when my toddler was walking around, chomping on a fresh piece of asparagus saying, "mmmm" and "this good."  Doesn't get much better than that!

So if you're like me and long for the freshness and vast variety of super fresh produce, but don't have the time or room (insert lame excuse here) to tend to your own veggie garden - check out a local CSA.     

Sunday afternoon I ventured out to my sunny perennial border knowing the inhabitants were in need of a good watering.  My jaw dropped as I saw the enormity of all the plants!  The sedum is a gargantuan mounding stump.  The persicaria (that I hacked way back this spring) has stretched out all the way to the borders:  I found this penstemon suffocating under its sprawling foliate.

The chartreusse feathery foliage of this (I cannot remember the name of this plant!)radiates in its new lcoation in the sunny corner of the bed. 

The Knockout rose is thriving, bearing loads of neon pink blooms. 

And, of course, the weeds.  O. M. G.  The weeds have not only moved in, but they've settled and colonized.  Okay, I admit that gardening has taken a backseat to barbecues, parades, picnics, lazy strolls, and all the other wonders of summers.  But wow, I had no idea. 

So there I was, simply watering.  Soon I found myself cutting back spent allium blooms, then I was frantically pulling handfuls of weeds, then I started hacking away at that darn persicaria and making plans to relocate the suffering penstemon.  I was gardening out of pure guilt.  

I guess the lazy days of summer and maintaining any sort of respectable garden doesn't always go hand-in-hand.  So my sunny perennial garden and I have a day of beauty planned for this weekend.  A trim here, a snip there and my pretty flower bed will be back in shape, happily greeting the passersby.