Later, relaxing in the shade of a fruitless mulberry tree, we surveyed our Hidden Valley Lake backyard. The fruit trees generously feed us cherries, apples, and figs. We eat grapes from grapevines growing along the back fence. Our persimmons will ripen soon.

From two raised-bed gardens, we eat zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes, kale, artichokes, eggplant, strawberries, basil, parsley, garlic chives, oregano and lemon thyme. And, we’re harvesting giant sunflower and pumpkin seeds to roast.

Around a tiny lawn in our unfenced front yard, sage, rosemary and lavender plants flourish underneath three flowering fruit trees.

This is the first summer we’ve swapped vegetables over the fence with our neighbor, another gardener. Also new this year is the enjoyment my husband gets from lovingly preparing cardboard “gift baskets” for friends filled with vegetables and fruit from our yard.

Especially satisfying is consuming our own delicious food. We augment our fresh food supply by shopping at Kelseyville’s farmers’ market, an occasional trip to Hardester’s grocery store, and with home-grown beef from my dad in Natomas, near Sacramento.

Author Barbara Kingsolver’s book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, was my birthday gift from my son and daughter-in-law. Living in San Francisco, they live vicariously hearing our “crop reports” during weekly phone conversations.

Kingsolver’s book makes a passionate case for putting the kitchen back at the center of family life and diversified farms at the center of the American diet. My husband and I bless our rural life in which we can raise our own food and consume what is raised by us or people we know.

We realize the growing season is finite. Our water use will soon lessen. Meanwhile, we give thanks for the water and the harvest it provides.

Susanne La Faver lives in Hidden Valley Lake with husband, Lyle.

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purplegirl - Sustainable Gardens IP:208.106.99.xxx | 09-13-2007 09:52:31 Actually, I believe many of us are "eating our water bill". The question is, are we eating it wisely? It is one thing to dabble in the garden but it is quite another to create a sustainable garden that provides food for yourself (as well as neighbors and family) which actually cuts down on your grocery bill. Sustainable gardens are actually a very wise choice, considering what we are up against, tainted foods popping up everywhere,genetically modified food being left unchecked as to their safety, and food related illnesses, diseases and ailments rising. In addition, it is simply more economically sound. I would much rather have a couple hundred dollar water bill split between three months than a couple hundred dollar food bill split between a couple of weeks with food prices rising every day. And, here in Lake County, we are very fortunate that this can be done. All it takes is a little planning and care... and a little water. In addition, knowing where food comes from and learning that each of us can provide more than enough to share with our neighbor promotes values that are priceless.

Donna Christopher - Not possible here Author | 09-13-2007 11:03:16 in Lucerne. With the cost of water in this town even if you grew enough for a roadside stand you'd never break even. Ran into a neighbor yesterday at a local store. Her water bill was almost $300. She has let everything die, except an occassional sprinkling of her decimated lawn. A $20 dollar tomato, not matter how organic, ripe and tasty isn't in many budgets. No, she doesn't have a leak, first thing I asked and the first thing she checked when she got it. OK, technically there is a leak, all our local dollars are leaking out of Lake County into the pockets of a large corporation based in San Jose. P.S., winter gardens do very well around here Susanne, no need to give up the bounty

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