What Dave Verbil Left Me

Fran Van Cleave

Dave Verbil took the time to teach me how to garden. This wasn't an easy task, since I had never been able to keep even the simplest houseplant without it dying on me. His garden was so beautiful, I wondered how I could possibly grow anything like he did.

Well, Dave lent me his gardening books, and showed me the miracles of mulch, compost, and growing tomatoes in the Arizona climate. He gave me peppers from his garden, and waxed philosophical on cooking tips. Miracle of miracles, I grew a fabulous crop!

There won't be Verbil peppers this coming spring, but the penstemon will be blooming where he planted them years ago.

And Kent and I will be gardening.