Bounteous Harvest

It has been a great year for us in the vegetable garden.  We have had fantastic onions, spring onions, potatoes, runner beans, courgettes and sweetcorn.  Also the raspberries and strawberries have been good.  We still have leeks growing well.  We also had carrots, beetroot and peas which didn't do so well but provided a meal or two.

Now comes the work of getting the ground ready for another attempt next year.

In 1976 the Latter Day Saint Prophet, Spencer w Kimball said:

"We encourage you to grow all the food that you feasibly can on your own property. Berry bushes, grapevines, fruit trees-plant them if your climate is right for their growth. Grow vegetables and eat them from your own yard. Even those residing in apartments … can generally grow a little food in pots and planters. Study the best methods of providing your own foods. Make your garden … neat and attractive as well as productive. If there are children in your home, involve them in the process with assigned responsibilities” 

We have tried to follow his counsel and although not all of our crops work out we are able to have the satisfaction of growing them ourselves and the knowledge that all good things come from heaven above. 

This reminds me of standing beside my dad in our village church when I was a child as we sang this Hymn.

We Plough The Fields And Scatter 

We plough the fields and scatter

The good seed on the land,

But it is fed and watered

By God's almighty hand:

He sends the snow in winter,

The warmth to swell the grain,

The breezes and the sunshine,

And soft, refreshing rain.

Refrain:

All good gifts around us

Are sent from heaven above;

Then thank the Lord,

O thank the Lord,

For all his love.

He only is the maker

Of all things near and far;

He paints the wayside flower,

He lights the evening star;

The winds and waves obey him,

By him the birds are fed;

Much more to us, his children,

He gives our daily bread.

We thank thee then, O Father,

For all things bright and good,

The seed time and the harvest,

Our life, our health, our food.

Accept the gifts we offer

For all thy love imparts,

And what thou most desirest,

Our humble, thankful hearts.