TYRO — Mike Sutton has found peace and harmony dipping his fingers into the Montgomery County dirt every day.

The retired Tyro resident said there is nothing more therapeutic or more enjoyable than tilling the soil, planting seed, and watching the patient work of Mother Nature produce a harvest bounty.

That’s why Sutton has dedicated this year to a new venture: Mike’s Market, which produces garden-fresh vegetables to consumers.

Sutton said he has always tinkered with summertime gardening but never took on a venture this size until his retirement as a custodian from Coffeyville schools earlier this year.

“My garden always was pretty small, but I did not want to be the type of person who just sat around every day in retirement,” said Sutton. “I’m the type of guy who always needs something to do.”

And that “something to do” grew into a major gardening effort, transforming vacant yard space into several garden patches. Drive by his Tyro home, which he shares with wife Kathy, and you’ll see a wide assortment of produce grown in the sun: okra, cucumbers, tomatoes, green beans, sweet corn, cantaloupe and more.

So, what have been the results of opening a home-based produce market?

Nothing but busy, he said.

“It’s taken off well because there are a lot of people who like to know where their produce comes from,” he said. “And, people ask me if I sell produce from other places. I just won’t do that. If I don’t grow it, I won’t sell it.”

The summer season was perfect for the tomato growth, he said. And, he still has several row of tomatoes still producing fruit late into the summer season.

He said he has produced more than 2,000 pounds of tomatoes so far in 2010.

And, as for his abundant potato crop, Sutton planted 150 pounds of potato seed, generating more than 1,250 pounds of potatoes.

He tried his hand at planting pumpkins for the fall season but discovered they fell victim to ornery squash bugs.

“I’ll for sure have produce until the fall months,” he said.

What does he plant to do when the cold season settles in Montgomery County?

“I’ll probably get my gardens prepared in November and then start the planting sometime in March,” he said.

Besides growing produce, Sutton sells several varieties of bird houses as well as porch swings — all made and produced from his garage.

Sutton said the joy of gardening was more than a desire to remain busy. In the spring, Sutton suffered from several mini-strokes. However, he didn’t consider those strokes as setbacks.

“I came home from the hospital on a Monday, and by Tuesday I was outside planting my tomatoes,” he said. “This is something I’ve always wanted to do. And, I’ve had nothing but a great time doing it.”

• Montgomery County Chronicle editor ate a slice of cantaloupe from Mike Sutton’s garden, and it was simply delicious! If you know of someone who enjoys gardening or has another unique interest, contact Taylor for his “My Montgomery County Chronicle” feature series. Send an email to chronicle@taylornews.org.