Early successes with giant zinnias, at seven years of age, made me a lifelong gardener. And, though I concentrated on vegetables, I have always wished I had more time for flowers.

My newly-developed master plan has been keeping me busy on my two acres, a prime goal of which is to support a milk cow.

Recently, however, I stumbled in to the purchase of a one-acre property that begs to be developed as a permaculture showcase. To do otherwise would be a wasted opportunity, as it features, along one border, a recreational foot and bicycle path of the rails-to-trails variety.

The possibilities are great gobs of fun to think about, and they must include plenty of flowers, but I may need to clone myself.