Seventeen days left until the county fair and my tomatoes are barely blushing. Every year, I debate: do I pick them early for the contest, or let them soak up more sun until October? Last summer, I got impatient and entered a basket of half-ripe peppers. They looked cute but tasted bland. This time, I’m letting my garden set the pace. I water in the morning, check for sneaky bugs, and talk to my plants like they’re old friends. The longer I wait, the sweeter the reward. My neighbor swears by picking early, but I love the thrill of seeing just how big and juicy things can get. Patience is tough, but the flavor payoff is totally worth it. gardening #growyourown #veggies #countyfair #harvest #gardening #growyourown #veggies #countyfair #harvest