Tomato plants defy Babbie’s best efforts

It is almost time for vine ripe tomatoes - home grown - to appear.

For years I have labored over tomato plants I tried grow in a large pot. At first, everything looks like it is rolling along beautifully - blossoms appear and my heart flutters. Can it be I might at last have a crop of delicious tomatoes for my favorite sandwich treat?

No.

Alas, one by one, the little buggers fall off and some sort of creature nibbles all of the leaves that now have the appearance of rare pieces of lace.

My used-to-be next door neighbors Brittie and Raymond Beach had the most marvelous garden. Raymond and many others in Bluffton had the greenest thumb you could imagine. The Beach’s garden was where the parking lot now is for the Oyster Factory Park at the corner of Bridge and Wharf streets. It was an amazing treasure of colors and variety.

There were rows of green beans, squash , corn and - my favorite of all - tomatoes. Brittie grew lovely flowers and had baskets of blooming plants and ferns hanging from her garage roof.

I used to stop by to visit the couple to purchase some of the plants and was invited into their adorable cottage. Raymond was a very tall handsome man. Brittie was very pretty and always let Raymond talk about gardening and how much he loved it. They had a little blue parakeet that Raymond would let out of its cage so it could fly around the house. The sight of this little tiny bird sitting on Raymond's head and shoulders chirping and twittering was charming. If there had been a movie made of their life in Bluffton, I would have chosen John Wayne and Jane Russell in the leading roles.

I have just about thrown in the towel on vegetable gardening.

The wonderful thing about my kind neighbors is that if there is an abundance of something edible they have grown or picked, they share it with me. Jean and Doug Corkern brought us a fabulous batch of tomatoes the other day they had just picked at St. Helena. I kept them hidden in the icebox until not long ago when I had the last tomato on whole wheat toast for breakfast.

My wonderful “herb fairy” also dropped by with a large pot of catnip plants for my cats. The furry critters don’t care a fig about vegetables, but they certainly adore their catnip sprigs when I dole out one to each of them.

And, as for Thursdays, I am so overcome with joy when the farmers are in residence on Calhoun Street I can hardly contain myself.

Bluffton as art subject

Four Corners Gallery has a marvelous exhibit now hanging.

The celebrated artist Joe Bowler's beautiful works are really something to behold. His wonderful new collection of paintings - “Bluffton Collection” - will be on display through July 16. Don't miss this chance to see Bowler’s lovely work in person.

Celebrate the 4th in Old Town

The Bluffton Children's Fourth of July Parade will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, July 4.

We will muster at 10 a.m. in front of the Church of the Cross and the meander down to Lawton Street where the Storybook Shoppe will be handing out icy popsicles to the children.

So decorate you trikes, bikes, strollers and yourself in red, white and blue and join us in this annual fun event.

Calhoun Street will be closed to traffic for one hour for the parade.

Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome.

If you play an instrument or want to come in costume , we love George Washington. The more the merrier. This is a very low key affair.

Call 843-757-3855 or stop by The Store on Calhoun Street for information.

Upcoming fun

The next Sunset Party at the Bluffton Oyster Factory Park , May River Shrimp Festival will be held July 14-15. The parties benefit Palmetto Animal League and well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome.

Plans are being made for the annual Bluffton Boiled Peanut Festival to be held September 10, 2016 at Bluffton Village.

If you would like to help, contact the Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce at 843-757-1010.

This story was originally published June 22, 2016 at 11:42 AM with the headline "Tomato plants defy Babbie’s best efforts."