Last summer I was given three heirloom tomatoe plants by Bob Feingold. I believe it was meant to be that I was at the morning minyan service the day he brought tomato plants to share.

Shortly after that day, I broke a bone in my foot and didn’t get much further than my courtyard all summer so those plants became even more important to me.It was just a month after my husband died and being present in my garden  and tending my garden became very therapeutic for me.  Experiencing the every day gifts of nature was a healing environment for me. Bob writes a blog on his website. In his blog entitled “Serendipitious Beauty” he talks about how wonderful things happen in the garden and they elevate the spirit. I find that to be so true. There is always something going on in my garden: a butterfly nectaring, a hummingbird whisking by, a new bud opening, and these miracles of nature open your heart and make it soar.

I have enjoyed getting to see Bob’s extensive gardens in different seasons and stages through his facebook postings and photos. I was very excited to have the opportunity to visit his garden last week.The flowers were glorious in their variety of brilliant and subtle colors. I look forward to seeing the garden in other seasons in the future.

Bob’s specialty is heirloom tomatoes  and he has many varities. It was nostalgic for me to see the vast expanse of tomato plants as my dad used to have a garden very much like that. Like Bob, his joy was the satisfaction in growing his own food and sharing it with the universe.

My favorite part of the gardens were the well thought out children’s gardens, each dedicated to a grandchild. You just know those children will develop a love of nature and gardening in these special places.

Bob shared some of his garden harvest with me and I enjoyed a most delicious salad.

If you have eaten at the Back Eddy Restaurant in Westport, MA  you have probably partaken of Bob’s heirloom tomatoes which he supplies to them. Bob  and  his wife Janet have a website www.24K-heirloomtomatoes.com. They have gardening tips and resources and you can find out more about their gardens there.