Here in the northern latitudes, September is the time a garden is usually starting to wind down from it's frantic and colorful summer production of tomatoes, peppers, corn, eggplant, and so on and on. Perhaps the squash and pumpkins are still working on building some size, but the other veggies have begun to wane a bit.For our garden, however, because of a few minor delays, prime time is just coming into view (we hope, anyway)! Yes, for several weeks, now, we've been picking and eating green beans (tender and tasty), cukes (crunchy and cool) and zucchinis (because we have to). And we have gorgeous, multicolored chard (the stems are truly beautiful) that we haven't yet picked, even though it's been ready for a month, because, well, I don't know, really. The sunflowers are huge and fun, even if they ARE facing, inexplicably, away from the sun, all of them (what?). Is it possible to plant the seeds backwards?
But the real stars of the garden--the corn, the tomatoes, the pepper, eggplants and watermelons--are still, well, gearing up. There's a veritable jungle of tomatoes. Why did we never get around to staking them, this time? We'll see how that works. They're a complete tangle of 12 varieties. If we ever get any actual tomatoes, it will be impossible to determine which type came from which plant. There are many green ones, though, and, I think, at least one kind, an heirloom, will stay green, but we're longing for the first one to turn color. Next week? The week after?
The watermelons are impressive! Round and stripey! But waiting for that underside to turn from white-ish to creamy seems an eternity! Lots of cantaloupes, but they're mostly still green softballs lurking under the leaves. And the corn--did I buy a new midget variety?--is only a few feet tall as it's starting to form ears. Interesting red stalks, too.
When I finally discovered an irrigation problem with the eggplant and peppers, it was too late for them to ramp up to normal size. One minuscule jalapeno seems to be valiantly trying to defy the odds! And I expect we'll get carrots about Thanksgiving.
Still. It's great fun! The compost heap is improving and we have a thriving worm farm in the laundry room, busy making fabulous fertilizer! Not even one worm have I found wandering away on the floor!
Now is the time to start plants like peas and broccoli. Very excited about that, especially the peas. Snow and sugar snaps! Garlic is big up here and I saw signs at Peaceful Valley that their stock arrives this week. And onions. Can't have too many of those (especially green, at &.99/bunch?!)!
Meanwhile, if we can just pick a nice tomato or two soon...
