The Garden

Fall is fast approaching, and thus it is time to evaluate one of our house projects: The Garden.

June 2008 (Before)

August 2008 (After)

As always, there are some things we learned during this house project. For future reference:

• Smaller gardens are easier to weed.
• Plant tomatoes on the far side of the garden. They grow tall and might block the rest of the garden from getting watered.
• Two japaleno plants are too many.
• One green pepper plant is not enough.
• Suspect planting two jalapeno plants and one green pepper plant next to each other might cause a cross pollination problem.
• Green pepper plants suffer the most if there is a cross pollination problem.
• Jalapenos are very hardy plants.
• Pumpkins take over everything if you plant them in the middle of the garden.
• The pumpkins will get their own space next year.
• Try growing zuccinni and butternut squash from seeds instead of slowing watching the plants die.
• Onions grow well, but pulling them out to see if they are done is not a good idea.
• The dog will sample vegetables, especially cucumbers.
• Put a fence around the garden. No fence, no cucumbers.
• Planting basil and cilantro is a good idea. Try more spices next year.
• Plant bigger tomatoes.

Speaking of tomatoes, we've had quite a harvest. Check out how many we picked!

Now see the 'harvest' with a penny for scale.

And see the 'harvest' fit in a cereal bowl. Everytime I go out I get about this many, so not bad, but not great either.

The japalenos have really done well.

I don't know exactly what to do with them, other than use one pepper for a huge batch of salsa, so I've decided to make japaleno jelly. I couldn't give my neighbors zuccinni bread, why not japaleno jelly? Anyone have a good recipe?

Next to the japalenos, the pumpkins have done the best. They are still ripening to a beautiful orange, so pictures will have to wait.

Darren and I enjoyed the garden and are already planning for next year. Looks like we will have a berry box AND a pumpkin box. I want it to be a 'squash box', but that is still under negotiation. Apparently Darren wasn't as sad as I was that the zuccinni and butternut squash didn't make it...

Keep smiling and remember to be happy.