I suspect you haven't asked about the garden, lately, because, well, you don't want to embarrass us. You remember last year. So thoughtful of you.But, no worries! This year, different story! Of course, weve had a few issues, like irrigation (outdoor electrical system went kaput), and weather (let the seedlings freeze, inadvertently, and had to start over), so we're a few weeks behind where we'd like to be by now, but, All Things Considered (playing on the radio in the background at the moment), we're quite happy with our little veggie patch.
Some seedlings just didn't get going because it was too warm by the time they got into the dirt. That would be the peas and lettuce, mainly. I'll be trying again with those next month. A few just never got comfortable, for some reason, and are still only a few inches high--peppers and eggplants would fall into that category. It would be a true garden miracle if we see actual peppers and eggplants before it snows.
The rest, however, are looking pretty good, we think. Leading the charge, as expected, is the one zucchini I planted. Naturally, it's my least-favorite veggie in the beds (ergo, only one plant). I've already been cooking zucchini (tonight, roasted) and, even with only one plant, it may be too much. Most of it will become sweet bread, I'm pretty sure. Here's a photo of one, posing with some quills and bamboo pens for interest.
I don't even know how many tomato plants we have, but there are 12 varieties, including several heirlooms and minis. The plants are beautiful, but, so far, there is a dearth of actual tomatoes growing. It's possible we're lacking a bit of calcium/phosphate in the soil (nitrogen, no problem!). The corn looks good and the watermelons, cukes and and cantaloupes are very leafy and appear to be healthy. Still. Not too much getting ready to pick, yet. Same with the broccoli. The leaves are huge! Oh, the swiss chard is gorgeous--see the colored stems? It's called "bright lights" and grows yellow, orange, pink and red!. We are seeing some green beans on the vines and the sunflowers are just budding!
Elsewhere, all the berries, fruit trees and sweet grass are looking happy! Next year, for the berries and perhaps a year after that for the cherries and apples.
Up on the deck near the kitchen door, of course, are the herbs. There are a couple of empty pots because the dill and cilantro flamed out early, but we have two kinds of mint, two kinds of oregano, two kinds of chives and two kinds of thyme. Then, there's lavender, marjoram, sage, and, of course, three pots of basil. Unlike zucchini, one can never have enough basil. Seriously, right?
You've probably figured out by now that I haven't yet started my indoor worm farm. Maybe this next week. Just need to get some bins and haven't gotten to it so far. You'll know.
But, see? Given a few little pitfalls, we've got a bit of a garden going, now, and I hope it will be a continuously-active part of the landscape as we learn how it works with the seasonal changes up here. Garlic and onions, for example should be planted in the fall for spring harvest. Should be fun!
Meanwhile a tomato or two would be nice...
