The Fall Garden and Other Musings

Finally, after 3 weeks of non stop painting I found the time to start my fall garden.  I didn't, however, get a picture of the newly painted kitchen and the lovely view from the big picture window into the back yard.  Sorry.  But I'm really sorry this house wasn't available for me to buy a few years ago.  I would have a huge sunny back yard to grow vegetables. 

Living Room

I have lived at my current house for going on 5 years.  My garden started very small as I was still gardening at the previous property.  My back yard doesn't get enough sun to grow summer vegetables.  A couple of tomato plants strategically located will do ok, but the neighbors' trees provide too much shade for much success.  I started planting vegetables with flowers in the front yard and was delighted at the response from people.  They loved watching the evolution of the "edible landscaping".  At first I planted marigolds along the side that faces the sidewalk to provide a place for dogs to, well, uh, you know, say hello, as well as deter unwanted insects from the vegetables.  I have noticed this summer how the regular dog walkers down the street cross to the other side.  Even though my little garden might look wild and wooly at times they know I eat the food from there.

Over the Labor Day Weekend I treated myself with two days away from the office.  I usually can't sit still for very long without something in my hands to do so I spent the day cleaning out the garden bed.  I won't embarrass myself with a before picture, but lets just say we have had an incredible growing season with ample rain.  The volunteer cherry tomatoes were threatening to overrun the neighborhood.

I left a few plants.  Basil, collard greens, peppers, a tomato and the marigolds.  I harvested the spring onions and potatoes and the rest of the beans.

I planted some brussel sprouts and chinese cabbage.  My kohlrabi plants I started were a snack for some pests.  I chose not to spray them with poison. 

They are holding their own after nearly roasting in the 90 degree plus heat.  It is cool now and they are bouncing back.  I also planted some red russian kale, siberian kale, lettuce, spinach, beets and onions. I got it all in the ground before the rains came from the hurricane that pushed up the east coast.  We had 3 solid days of a soaking rain.

Get out of the onions Uno!

I have great plans for these little guys.



Lettuce





Kale

The beets I planted are up as well! (not pictured)

I am going to try and transplant some to the back yard and see if I can have fresh greens all winter.  Last winter I was ailing with a frozen shoulder and was miserable.  I couldn't even shovel the walk or take out the garbage.  I came to work and went home and popped pills.  It was the longest, coldest winter of my life!  This year,  I plan on getting outside and tending a winter garden.

We'll see how it goes.

Tomorrow I will show you what I did with the space where the dead maple tree used to stand.  I love how a garden can be planned but Mother Nature seems to call the shots!

Happy Birthday David!