I feel so rich when I look at these photos. No, our garden is far from perfect. There are weeds and insects and blight. But we have been so blessed this year with lovely rains and pleasant summer weather. It has been such a joy to work in the garden when everything is so lush and green. Even the flowers seem to have more vibrant colors this year. I feel so blessed.
Check out the photos here to see our garden six weeks ago and compare them to our mid-August garden.
In our lower garden the strawberry patch was succumbing to weeds and blight. So we tilled it all under and planted some late corn in its place. Beside the corn is some new brocolli and cabbage plants (amongst the weeds), green beans, and some huge zucchini plants.
In the other garden, broccoli still hides under cover - and amazingly is still producing side shoots. I have never had spring broccoli last until August! I'm guessing the rain and cooler summer is keeping it productive. I pulled all the garlic, onions, and spring crops in this area and plan to plant some more fall veggies soon.
To the left is the carrots. I haven't pulled any yet but the tops look lovely despite a ground hog who has enjoyed an occasional snack. We don't seem to be having quite as many critter problems this year. Could it be that they have enough vegetation in the pasture because of the wet weather to avoid the garden? The peppers are doing well but the eggplant is being devoured by flea beetles. The beetles are bothering none of the other plants. Any suggestions? And my tomatoes are slowly succumbing to blight. No surprise with all this damp weather. Hopefully the tomatoes will still ripen.
Ed was right about me crowding the garden. Remind me never to plant pumpkins in our garden. It is just not big enough for the sprawling plant. Every day I stamp down any tendrils that are trying to climb up the tomato cages. It is choking out the watermelon and wandering over the potatoes which have died down and are ready to dig. Hope the monster gives a nice amount of pumpkin to pay for its bother. This is the brown-neck pumpkin that I love to use in pies. Are there any pumpkins that have better manners?
This photo is taken from the far end of the garden. The strawberry patch has been mowed down and mulched but still needs some attention for all the weeds. The sweet corn has never looked better. I should have taken this photo with some of the children so you could see its height. And each stalk has two nice ears. A critter, probably a raccoon, helped himself to some of it the other night. I hope he doesn't return for second helpings.
The red raspberries have never looked better.This row is two years old and I'm hoping for buckets full. So far there is only a berry or two but it is loaded with blossoms and immature berries.
How does your garden grow?
Thank you, thank you for this post. I absolutely adore gardening but cannot have a garden where I live. That makes your post a true delight.
ReplyDeleteM.
Our gardens here are withering from the heat. We have had plenty of rain but they just can't take the heat. My eggplant have been eaten by flea beetles too, so much that it doesn't look like I will get a single one this year out of 8 plants. Peppers haven't produced anything either. They grew some but the bottom leaves keep falling off and never bloomed. Any ideas why? Tomatoes look like yours. Have you ever had a problem with aphids under your broccoli covers? I did last year and lost quite a bit of crop because of it. This year I didn't cover and the cabbage worm got them. Even with the problems, your garden looks great!
ReplyDeleteNicole -
DeleteOnly once did I have problems with aphids under the row cover. That was in my cold frame. There was also lots of big ants so I figured the ants were "farming" the aphids. I sprayed the plants hard with water to knock off the aphids and put out a few ant traps. I never had aphid problems again.
Gina
Your gardens are beautiful and my productive! We are having a great year and like you said I think the cooler temperatures and plentiful rains have been a help. We are suffering with Japanese beetles though, they are ruining our apple trees and Rose of Sharon bushes!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the book suggestion! We had found one of those books and I've wanted to look up more sometime. Now you have reminded me!
ReplyDeleteGina
I crowded the garden again this year too. The plants look so tiny when you plant them that it seems like more than enough room, how soon we forget, lol I like mixing a whole head of garlic in a gallon milk jug over night, than add a lot of hot sauce to it and put it on the leaves. Just be careful not to hit the eggplants themselves, just the leaves and see if that helps.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the suggestion Cynthia!
ReplyDeleteGina
Ooh you still have raspberries? Ours are done. We are getting lots of corn, tomatoes, green and wax beans, zucchini, cucumbers, carrots, various herbs, bell peppers, hot peppers, kohlrabi, green cabbages, and eggplants. Pumpkins and squash are still marrying, among with potatoes and onions. Radishes , spinach and peas are done. We're still getting some lettuce that is growing under a shade. Our broccoli and cauliflower are under row covers. The apple and pear trees appear abundant; if you want to take a long walk, blackberries can still be found.
ReplyDeleteMy oldest girl and her husband moved back home next to us last fall. She has taken over and expanded all the gardens ...I do not miss that work I have to say. I only need to tend my patio pots and beds. She is growing enough for us , them, my mother, extra to share and surplus if any can be sold at the family farmer and.
Haha, that spell correct.... my pumpkins and squash are maturing not marrying.
DeleteIt looks great! How are you doing with your newest daughter? I think of you all often. We moved to Texas from CA and are in a rental, so decided not to garden this year. I have garden envy! But our landlord approved chickens and my husband built a coop and we now have 10 3-month old hens!! I first found your blog YEARS AGO when I googled something about good chicken breeds for children! The Lord has now answered my long time prayer for chickens. It's sometimes the smallest blessings...
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, we just had our 6th baby two weeks ago. We are thankful!
Annie
Annie-
DeleteThanks so much for writing! I remember you from years ago and am glad that you are still reading! And thanks for letting me know about your newest daughter! Enjoy these new baby days! We are enjoying our baby so much - but she is over seven months now and quickly growing up!
Gina
I think I need to specify that the milk jug has water in it, not milk, sorry if that was confusing. It should of read 'with water in a gallon milk jug'.
ReplyDeleteThat would make a difference! Thanks!
DeleteGina
I, too, am having a problem with plants that are going everywhere, but for me it's the 2 watermelon plants. It's climbing into the tomatoes and peppers! I just pulled out our summer squash and zucchini plants after a couple months of great production. I had so much I was giving it to anyone that would take it. Thanks for sharing your garden!
ReplyDelete