I felt like it was time for a garden update. Our garden did not go as we had planned way way back, during the winter. That fun breakfast with my sister-in-law planning, how my husband and I drew up a blueprint of where we wanted things, then…lockdown. Then, my husband’s broken elbow. We had beds never dug, seedlings that never made it into the ground – but we persevered, and started again. We had to cobble a garden together in parts, my brother kindly came over and rototilled a few spots for me, we planted in containers. And while we didn’t plant anywhere near what we had intended, it felt good to just get some seeds in the ground.
My pumpkins are my favorite. I have always wanted to grow them, and they have taken off like crazy. Literally, they stretched out across our entire yard. I have a long term plan for our little pumpkin patch – if Halloween is cancelled, which I am feeling like it will be, we are going to do a Charlie Brown Halloween and wait for the Great Pumpkin to arrive while sitting in our pumpkin patch, next to a bonfire. And I am sure I will be drinking cider and eating stew or chili. So grow pumpkins grow! Although, I am a little concerned. Some of the leaves are a little funky! I need to google that, unless someone here knows what is happening?
My cucumbers are utter chaos. Like seriously it is anarchy in their corner. Weeds grew up along the fenceline and the cucumbers attached themselves to them, while also refusing to climb the trellis Billy built. And maybe we will get a cucumber or two? I planted seeds late, so whatever we get I will be happy with. They look pretty though, even among the chaos.
We transplanted our strawberries to this bed as well – they were living in a strawberry planter that got knocked down by strong winds and shattered. They are alive and kicking though so I am looking forward to what they do next year. Cabbage lives here too, along with the dill that the black swallowtail butterflies love so much… and grasshoppers. So many grasshoppers.
Our experimental peanuts are doing ok, I think? I can’t tell. Our radishes did fabulous! They were delicious on baguettes with butter. So yummy!! My carrots did fairly well too. My beets however, failed spectacularly. I am going to replant and see how a fall crop does.
In the front of the house, we have flowers, lavender, lemon basil, swiss chard, and our raspberry bushes. The lemon basil is enormous – almost as tall as me! I am turning it into flavored salt this week. The raspberries are so sweet and delicious, and it is so fun to run out there and pick a few to eat. We don’t have many, just enough for a little treat. And I have learned I don’t like swiss chard.. that was a substitution at the nursery. By the time I felt comfortable going, the lettuce and spinach was gone. I grabbed a few swiss chard but I am not a fan, which I didn’t realize.
What about you all? Any successes? Failures? Things you would do differently? I would love to hear!
Still Life, With Cracker Crumbs.. 
That all looks fabulous! I remember my mom tried growing pumpkins in our very small garden when we were little. I don’t think they got very big!
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Lol they crack me up how they are just all over the place! They are causing a hassle for my husband when he mows our lawn but he just goes around them all somehow. 🙂
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Gardens are fabulous! Mary, Mary Quite Contrary, How Does Your Garden Grow? LOL
Enjoy the pumpkins; they will be glorious in the fall.
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Lol!!! We are enjoying our little bits of garden. I can’t believe how much life it brings to the yard – birds, insects, all things we love. 🙂
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If you sit in the pumpkin field, just make sure your sheet has holes all over it 🙂
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Lol!!
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We never have luck with beets. I am glad you had a lot of successes.
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I am not sure what happened! I think I read you are supposed to thin them which I didn’t do. 😦
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You have a magnificent garden. It’s natural for some things to fail, I think. Our worst experience this year was with cucumbers. Other gardeners in our area blame this on a lack of pollinators. I don’t know.
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Aw thanks Deb!! Our pumpkins are so fun!
We do have less pollinators in our yard this year, I have noticed, but I think it is because it is not an “apple summer” as my neighbors call it. Our apple tree only produces every other year, so no apples this year. During apple summers we have tons of bees and other pollinators. This year I have seen butterflies and tons of fireflies but not as many bees.
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Wow. I’m very impressed! That pumpkin is great. And look at all the wonderful things you will be enjoying at your table. Well done!
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Thanks Jeanie! The pumpkins are so fun! I always wanted to try to grow them!
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I would love to start a little garden. I always say when we redo the backyard…but you know what, I think I should start one in a big pot or a little square thingy.
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Yes! Do it! It is so great to see things growing that you have planted. 🙂
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I’m growing Swiss Chard in my Fall/Winter garden. Not sure if I like it either. This was my first garden ever and overall things did great. My zucchini struggled. Bugs and powdery mildew and the fact that I hardly had any female flowers. I felt so educated about my summer garden, but for the winter garden I feel like there’s still so much I don’t know.
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Ugh powdery mildew! That is totally what is plaguing my pumpkins. So frustrating – but like you, now I know! And swiss chard will not be planted again next year…. lol. I am already dreaming and making plans and lists in my head for next year’s garden!
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