Dinner in the Garden

Where did June and July go? This morning I woke up to discover that it was the beginning of August. August is one of my favorite times of the year here at Blackberry Farm.

Garden Month, which we celebrate for the entire month of August, is one of our favorite times with our guests. On Monday evenings, we celebrate the bounty from our garden and fields by hosting Garden Dinners down at the Garden.

Our chefs prepare the meal beside the woods facing the Garden, and all vegetable varieties form our Garden are featured in the chefs’ culinary creations. Our guests dine on cypress tables which are beautifully decorated with flowers from our cutting garden.

As the light begins to fade, lanterns hanging from overhead tree limbs illuminate the tables along with numerous candles. Lamps also line the Garden border, and candles are placed along the path down to the Garden Shed.

We often have musicians, whose melodies fill the air and mingle in with our guests conversations, creating a wonderful air of celebration.

One of my most memorable Garden Dinner experiences was an evening when we watched as the full moon began to rise over distant ridges, accenting the misty fog hanging over our fields.

This August, I hope that our guests will join us on Monday evenings and discover the magic or dining in the Garden and getting to spend time with fellow guests. Over the years I have seen a number of new friendships forged at our Garden Dinners.

John Coykendall, Master Gardener