THERE ARE fruit stands AND THEN THERE ARE FRUIT STANDS

Driving along rural Route 34 near Corvallis, Oregon one passes by a fruit stand that you cannot help but observe. Its main attraction, at least for me, is its size with hand painted art work on the structures along with painted lettering found on most exterior surfaces. 

Yesterday I was driving Rt 34 and decided to stop and and take some photos. I had not stopped at Jim's Fruit stand, as it is called, since I lived here for a few years in the early 1990s. 

I found full sized art jumping out from the building surfaces everywhere I looked. 

More art above. . . .

Jamie, who works at the stand mentioned that the original owner sold the business many years ago but then bought it back -- and has owned it to this day. How old is Jim's Fruit stand? At least 25 years old but probably more. 

A red barn dominates structures on the property. All the hand lettering attracts folks to stop at the fruit stand. 

Bunches of various flowers and vegetables 

wander throughout the property. 

Hollyhocks are in full bloom right now at Jim's. Fruit and/or vegetable stands come in different sizes and textures offering a multitude of offerings. I have noticed other smaller stands in my area -- I'll have to stop at some of them 

and have a good look around. 

LONNIE'S GREEN-GREEN GARDEN

 Grandfather's home, Madison County, Kentucky

Nestled next to a heirloom country home is a green-green garden -- at least for now. The home once belonged to the grandfather of Lonnie, the present care-taker and gardener. The garden is filled with lush green leafed plants that will soon enter their color phase producing tomatoes, corn, squash and other delicious vegetables.

Lonnie weeding

Lonnie reinvigorated his grandfather's long dormant garden with gusto. He tells me he is a seed saver, a non-chemical user, and enjoys working in the garden. 

He has planted many flowers around the home and even has an individual "greens only" garden. 

The only part of his grandfather's garden that was left when Lonnie took over the garden was this above grape arbor. It is now producing hundreds of green grapes. Lonnie said he remembers it being there when he was young. 

Lonnie's grandmother collects most of the grapes for preserving. 

Right now the color green predominates in the garden. Look closely at the squash leaves above -- early color is sneaking in -- orange squash blossoms.

Small green tomatoes will soon be large red ones

I believe that healthy gardens flourish 

when a gardener works with nature.

COUNTRY GARDEN PREPARATION

Spring is right around the corner. Signs of garden preparation are seen as I ride the back-country roads Here are a few.

Tractors have plowed  community gardens 

The country seed and feed store has cleaned out its plant sale shed in anticipation  of fresh trays of flowers and  vegetables.

The seed and feed store has readied its sale porch for garden supplies and spots for flower displays

No matter if you purchase one tomato plant or one geranium -- or plant a whole kitchen garden -- are you now having visions of flowers and vegetables dancing in your head?