TAL tales

Thank you to my hostesses Frieda Springman, Rosemarie Prestileo and Sandy Otte for giving me a tour of the lovely Community Gardens at the Traditions at Longwood development on Route 926 east of Willowdale. The path leading to the garden area is thickly lined with herbs like stevia, sorrel, lemon thyme, purslane and rosemary. The 20 garden plots themselves (some people need only a half-plot) are impeccably maintained; I imagine it helps that there are strictly enforced rules in place about keeping your area neat and well weeded. Peppers, okra and tomatoes were flourishing (I liked the clever PVC tomato cages), and some forward-thinking gardeners already had their second crop of lettuce sprouting (note to self). The three ladies were proud to show off the newly installed tool shed and the special perimeter fencing that extends well underground to keep out voles and other hungry pests.