The onset of summer means it's time for vegetable gardening and this year, Twilight is eager and excited to try and start her first garden. She approaches Applejack for some starter advice, but a little bit of egghead vs. stubborn comes into play and soon a wager is struck to see who can produce the best results. Will Twilight's science and magic be able to match up to Applejack's Earth pony know-how?

Now presented as a multi-short chapter story to accommodate my writing schedule.

Cover art created from vectors by:
Flutterflyraptor
Takua770
TheLastGherkin

Shackled by her circumstances yet chained to her past, Applejack finds herself a permanent outsider amongst the aloof socialites of Manehattan.
For many years she had thought her future inalterable - until an accidental encounter twists her fate in an unexpected direction.

Set in an alternate timeline in which Applejack didn't return to Ponyville.

Constructive criticism and advice welcome! Tags may be added as story is updated.
Special thanks to sunnypack for editing, and EclipterROME, Regina Wright, Dusk and Moonblast, Dainty Blaze, Sky Breeze, LostThoughts, ScribeScribbles and Scout Charger for pre-reading.

After a near-death experience answering the map's call, Rainbow Dash and Applejack try to express how much they care for each other the best way they know how. By being cool about it.

This story follows Bridges and Guides, but it can also stand alone nicely.

After their first Grand Galloping Gala, Applejack and Twilight talk about the Blueblood disaster, and about Rarity’s expectations for a partner. The discussion meanders into new territory, and gets a little personal for both of them. Initially written as just a fun little one-shot.

(Chronology note: this story takes place between seasons one and two, just after the season one finale.)

Artwork by Sixes_and_Sevens. Please check out their excellent artwork and stories.

Part of the Elsequestria Continuity.

This continuity continues in In Vino Veritas. Its beginning can be found here.

Please check out Sparrow 9642’s reading of this tale for Pride Month 2020 here.

Please check out Agent Fluffy’s reading of this tale for Pride Month 2021 here.

Sparrow’s version uses a team of talented voice actors, while Agent handles both voices and narration alone! All of them do a wonderful job bringing my little tale to life, each version offering a slightly different interpretation. I recommend them both very highly.

Also, my most humble apologies to Sparrow 9642 for forgetting to place a link to their performance for so long. I am a very meek and penitent Coyote and offer no excuse.

Applejack hears a noise in Granny Smith's room late one night. What she finds breaks her heart.

Anon is adamant that bananas are the best fruit in the universe. Applejack disagrees, for obvious reasons.

Fistfights ensue.

This happens more often than you'd think. It's all in good fun though.

Gods? Demons? What are we but specks being tossed about in the turmoil of an eternal playground of celestial beings?

Applejack has absolutely no idea, but you know what would be great on her day off? Baking a pie.

While coming home from the Canterlot rodeo with Applejack, Rainbow Dash spots a strangely familiar pony. The weird coincidence seems to mean something more to Applejack, leading to a conversation about family that may bring two friends even closer.

After the events of 'Grannies Gone Wild', a somewhat outraged Granny Smith disembarks to give her overprotective grandchild Applejack a piece of her mind. How will this encounter unfold? Well, that's what you're here to find out, isn't it?

And you've come to the right place!

Featured, albeit briefly, on 19/4/18

When Twilight Sparkle corrects the grammar of a short story Applejack wrote, she has no idea of the painful repercussions soon to follow.

Note: If you're confused, this story was originally posted by someone else, who thought I wasn't writing anymore and wanted to get my story more exposure, and felt the only way to get it past moderation was to claim to be the author and that I was a "pseudonym." We've had a discussion about that and I'm not angry about it anymore.