Whiteley Creek Homestead

As I began my fall garden cleanup today, my mind drifted back to May when my garden soil was still cool from the spring thaw. Not yet warm enough to direct-sow the heirloom "Crystal Apple" and "Poona Kheera" cucumber seeds that I had purchased at Seed Savers Exchange during our visit to Decorah, Iowa earlier in the month. In the warmth of my little greenhouse, however, they had sprouted and were awaiting their home in the garden.

Supported by the natural arch of concrete reinforcement wire, the cucumber vines happily grew and blossomed during June's warmth. Until cucumbers began to form.

The seeds that I scooped and dried from just two cucumbers will provide next season's planting.

A complete life cycle. To witness the gradual transformation from seed to vegetable… it's nothing short of a miracle.