I moved into my house in late April, a little late for Spring planting here. While waiting for my house to be completed, I envisioned and planned a vegetable and flower garden in an open area in front of my entry door.

When I finally moved in, I found that my soil is rocky and hard and dry. I am told it is suited for trees and, indeed, I have Olive and Almond trees, a huge Walnut tree, several varieties of Pears, Plums, Mulberries, Oranges and Lemons. Signor Raimondo trimmed all of the trees, (I captured an image of him giving the olives a haircut last week) they are healthy and beginning to produce. We are enjoying discovering the succession of beautiful fruits as they ripen.

I was also told that my soil is not suited for vegetables. I have always had a vegetable garden! I did the planting and my mother nurtured the plants. After my mother passed, I downsized and managed to grow our favorite vegetables.

My situation is different now, I have mobility issues, lots more land and the land is difficult. I spent a sleepless night contemplating how I could make my dream of a garden a reality. I did some research, detemined that a raised bed garden was the solution and ordered a tall raised bed. As for the flowers, I would have to inspire my family to help me sow some seeds and plant some perennials. My dream was much smaller but I was going to make it work.

While waiting for my raised bed to arrive, Signor Raimondo came by to check on my trees. He asked me if I wanted him to plant some vegetables. My response was and emphatic: Yeeessss! He left for a couple of hours and came back with a hoe, a bag of fertilizer and a bunch of plants. When I lamented that my soil wasn’t very good, he told me that “if we plant them things will grow.”

He proceeded with my garden, he dug some holes, tossed in a handful of fertilizer in each, and planted a variety of vegetables. Within a few hours I had an extensive vegetable garden! We are in Sicily so, of course, I needed tomatoes: some for salad, Pizzutello for sauce, cherry tomatoes, San Marzano type…30 tomato plants in all. We also have Zucchini, Melons, Green Peppers, Green Beans, Celery, Parsley, Collards, Cucumbers, Squash, White and Purple Eggplants and our traditional Cucuzza. My brother-in-law Angelo and sister Rose have been diligently watering to keep everything alive and thriving.

Signor Raimondo was right, the garden has grown and we (and our extended family) have enjoyed harvesting and eating beautiful produce. There was a point when anyone who came to my house (including the Amazon courier) had to leave with a cucumber, zucchini or tomato.

I did receive my raised bed, my family helped me prepare the soil and I am nurturing Green Beans, Beets, Cutting Lettuce and Dill. I plan to add additional herbs that I have not found at the greengrocer.

I am so grateful for the help I have received in making my dream of a garden come true. Without Signor Raimondo and Rose and Angelo, I would still be looking forlornly at my dry pile of rocks instead of exploring traditional Sicilian recipes for my traditional Sicilian produce.