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Though the summer garden is winding down, there is still plenty to harvest. Tomatoes continue to ripen on the heirlooms and succession planted determinates. The second wave of bean crops were ready, and the hot peppers hit their peak. Summer herbs are still fresh for picking, while cilantro and parsley are slowly making their return. New fall plantings were late, but worth the experiment. Preparing for winter is a joy in the cool weather. There is much work to be done.
We made an unexpected trip back to Missouri this month to say goodbye to a dear, sweet gardener – my mother-in-law. She represented an era gone by of rural farming during the Great Depression. While away, the garden flourished without me. Fall plantings began to emerge, while some summer crops and flowers found new life once the temperature cooled, bringing my heirloom tomatoes to peak production. Succession planted veggies continue to fill our baskets. I can’t believe how quickly the season went!
Leaving the garden unattended for two weeks while visiting family and friends out of town presented some challenges and opportunities. Pests and diseases left unchecked destroyed some plants, while unharvested crops opened up more seed saving opportunities. Steady rainfall kept the garden well-watered, and overall the garden flourished without me! It was a testament to the power of nature.
Our tomato plants are overflowing their cages and producing a bountiful harvest. Sharing it with family and friends elevates the joy. The onset of summer diseases and pests presented challenges, but they did not outpace the beautiful fruits that came off our vines. While we worked to rid the garden of the destructive insects, we welcomed another in the name of conservation – the monarch butterfly. A second planting of summer veggies and a little DIY kept us busy throughout the month. Never did hard work feel so rewarding!
Summer crops are filling our plates! Tomatoes are finally ripening, cucumbers come almost daily, beans are coming in batches, and fresh herbs flavor our meals. Flowers are bright and colorful, and the garden is full and lush. The season has been a joy. Our backyard makeover and DIY projects are still in the works. It feels good to be industrious again!
My garden is exploding! Warm weather, soaking rain and a foundation of healthy, organic soil have made my kitchen garden burst! I have a continuous supply of some favorite herbs, fresh blueberries are steps away, and the some of the veggies are setting fruit. Summer flowers are bringing beneficial insects, in addition to color and beauty. And of course, the garden restoration projects continue.
With the frosty weather behind us, the fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs have hit their stride. But a new foe has invaded my garden – BUGS! The tomato plants are looking fabulous, but what to do with those aphids? And what is eating my beans? Will organic solutions save them?
Spring planting is complete…for now! But the wacky weather presented some unexpected challenges that may force me to replant. Heavy wind and rain and a Mother’s Day weekend frost required some quick, DIY solutions to protect the tender seedlings. Did my excessive “hardening off” save them?
The last frost date has passed and planting has begun! It’s been a busy month of soil preparation, more seed starting experiments, yard clean-up, DIY projects. And already we’ve been harvesting our lettuce and perennial herbs! What a treat to have healthy food right outside our front door.
It’s been a productive two weeks in my garden. Day after day, I’ve been planting more seeds indoors, preparing my food and flower beds outdoors, tending to all the seedlings, and experimenting with the bounds of nature. My body is sore, and my car still smells like cow manure, but the fine spring weather has been a delight in which to toil.