Wanted: Steps for saving the seeds
of my arugula.

 
Wanted: the fully fruited assurance
that I better pick the still-green bell peppers
that are only a couple inches big–
 
other peppers
have started, 
offshoots awaiting
the dinner table. 
 
They shouldn’t fight for energy.
 
I’ll pick the early offerings
while the arugula flowers, long before
it begins turning brown. 
 
Give the formerly leafy green 
a daily shake 
until the telltale pods rattle. 
 
There’s plenty to do in the garden.
Tell me. They were starters.
Are they ready to be harvested?