How Are Your Tomatoes?

Swampscott’s Betsy August has lived in town since 1991, and her story is interesting to say the least.

In addition to the beautiful garden in the backyard of her home on Puritan Road, Dr. August has three wonderful dogs and has delivered over 3,000 babies as an OB-GYN.

“Swampscott is wonderful, Duncan (Betsy’s boyfriend Duncan Dana) and I have really been working on the yard for years, pretty much since I first bought the home here,” August said on a recent August afternoon.

In addition to Sam a 10 year-old Sealyham Terrier, Roxie, a three year-old English Cocker Spaniel, and Bailey, and adorable three year-old Labrador Retriever, August and Dana have a yard filled with flowers, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, basil, mints, raspberries and blueberries.

“You really can not beat the taste of fruits and vegetables when they’re grown at home,” August said. “You really can taste the difference between fresh fruits and vegetables and something you buy at the store.”

August got her medical degree from Brown University, and has been working in hospitals and now in private practice for over 20 years on the North Shore. 

In addition to gardening, Dr. Betsy enjoys antiquing, travelling and loves to take spinning classes and go swimming.

“It’s wonderful to eat what you’ve grown, and the variety of birds that pass through the yard is just stunning,” August said. “I’ve got a bird feeder out and the birds coming through the yard are so beautiful.”

Sam, Roxie and Bailey are usually in the yard so animals looking for a free lunch in August and Dana’s garden have to shop elsewhere.

“It’s so joyful to be surrounded by beautiful color every time I step out my back door, and it’s wonderful to have friends over to eat what we have grown, I do like to entertain,” August said.

Dr. August grew up in New York, in Rockland County; Dana grew up in Marblehead, and is a carpenter.

“There’s really no off-season for us, as soon as the cold weather comes around, Duncan and I start looking at catalogues to see what we want to grow next, so even if we’re not actively gardening, we’re thinking about gardening,” August said.

“I’ve got the bird feeders out in the winter, but every time I go out to refill them, I’m thinking about what would look good back there next season,” August said.

“We’re always growing or thinking about growing, and we use just about everything we grow,” August said.

“I like the fact that when we have people over to bar-b-cue we have fresh produce to offer them,” August said. “After a long day of deliveries it’s just a relaxing place to be with the dogs, who are always glad to see me, and the garden, which I’m very proud of,” August said. “I enjoy our flowers too, the beauty of them all is very joyful, and I love the colors, I love the smells.”

“The backyard provides me with comfort, I can play, I can work or I can relax, it’s all of those things to me.”

Two of the babies that Dr. August delivered were Jake Cooper and Maxx Cooper, and I have to say, she wasn't as nervous as I was when they showed up.