Garden Update

We've had another warm streak, with it getting into the 60s today, but the extra rain we've had lately, and most of the trees in the process of losing their leaves definitely lets one know fall is in the air! Here's a view of the backyard from back by the blueberries... Behind the blueberries are the freshly strawed strawberries (I'm assuming it was a deer that ate one plant entirely, but all the rest are left untouched - maybe the interplanted garlic is helping?). You can see the new compost bin in the back, with the three raised beds (two are planted and have row covers) to the right. To this side of the compost bin, and left of the raised beds, is the in-ground veggie garden, freshly cleaned of tomato cages, soaker hose, etc.


The in-ground veggie garden SERIOUSLY needs to be tilled - it's full of weeds! This picture shows the garbage can full of leaves Andy from work brought me today - they're unloaded in the front corner. I put on small tomato cage back up for the birds, which like to sit there and decide if it's safe to come up to the bird feeders.


These pics are in the raised beds (with the floating row cover visible in some shots). It's mostly lettuce, like here:


More lettuce varieties, plus stuff like broccoli, brussels sprouts, and cabbage, none of which I expect will come to fruition since I planted too late.


The kohlrabi, which I've never grown before (and have only cooked once!), are still small and cute. However, "small and cute" isn't really good or picking and cooking! Hurry up little guys - grow!


Cabbages and chards...


Brussels sprouts (?) and spinach. HEAVILY picked spinach!


Close ups of lettuce:


It's either the Cimmaron (red foreground lettuce above) or the red one below (New Red Fire?) that Brett's decided is too bitter and leathery for him... Not sure which - so he picks both out! ;-)


I'm thinking Salad Bowl here is one of my favorite surprises. Never grown it before, and it's so attractive AND tender!


Need to attach the front "door" on the compost bin, but I'm not sure I chose my construction well. Might empty, disassemble, and reassemble a little differently. I'm thinking I might try leaving space underneath (by strategically lifting a pallet) and then sliding a plastic tray with edges underneath - something to catch the natural drainage - aka compost tea that people have to make in buckets with cheesecloth. Kind of a pain. Why not let gravity do the work for me?! (Not certain that this'll actually work...like what if the worms can't travel between the compost and the ground?)

Oh, and that big rock is my "squatting rock" - for when I just want to sit and rest at the far end of the backyard and take in the sites. Tucker likes to sit on it too! Big thanks to Blake for helping get it there!


Here's the kale - I picked it for the first time tonite, giving the pickings to Dan (the retired farmer/leaf supplier) and his wife down the street, along with some lettuce, spinach, etc. Next round is mine!


The peas - doubt anything will come of these. :(