What joy is ours when we go out to the garden to find bounty in it. It’s why we grow vegetables, isn’t it? And flowers, too, like this verbena that I let self sow all around my garden. It is bountiful right now, even as the vegetable garden, which was bountiful earlier in the season, slows down its giving.

The Free Dictionary online defines bounty as “liberality in giving”. I like that way of putting it. Liberality in giving. It just rolls off the tongue. It sounds so generous. Giving a lot. That’s what gardens do for gardeners.

I believe that most gardeners stay with their gardens through hot and cold, rain and drought, because their gardens give back so much more to the them than they give to their garden. Otherwise, why would we continue to garden if it were not at the very least an equal proposition?

There are also bounty hunters, who seek payment, a bounty, for finding and bringing criminals in to law enforcement. Some gardeners might be willing to pay a bounty to anyone who might rid their gardens of rabbits, raccoons, or deer, but only in a kind, humane way. After all, we are for the most part kind and gentle souls who are willing to share the bounty of our gardens, as long as someone or something doesn’t try to take it all.

I was overjoyed yesterday when I found bounty in my garden. I knew then and there that no matter the weather, no matter how much work it was, and no matter what anyone else might think, I would continue to garden. I can’t stop now, regardless. I’ve had my hands in this gardening thing since I was just two years old and my mom found me in the garage with my hands in a bag of fertilizer. It’s in my blood, it’s part of my DNA. I can’t stop. Not now. I’ve got too many bulbs coming for fall planting.

Would you like to see the bounty in my garden?

Here it is…

Bounty in my garden.

I hope this Bounty in my garden brightens your day and gives you hope that if you work hard enough at it, you, too, can have Bounty in your garden.

I hope it inspires you to keep gardening, to keep your sense of humor, to keep your hope alive, through this season and all the seasons of the garden yet to come.