Garden 2024 - Late Summer And Fall Wrap Up
November 23, 2024
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Hi, everyone.
Get this. In late July I was weed whacking around a flower bed. I had to bend over to move a loose rock out of the way, and promptly got stung on the hand by a ground wasp. What are the chances I would bend over right there where a nest was? I should have played the lottery that day.
I think they were red paper wasps. I'm lucky I only got stung once. I sprayed them the next day.
In other news, the corn was good and ready on August 4th!
Bella the garden cat.
This was the main picking. As usual, a few were still green and were left in the garden for later.
Shucking in the garage, watching the Olympics with the Dish Anywhere app on a tablet.
Check it out – three ears on the same stem. The main ear and two suckers.
Washed and ready for eating (and the freezer).
Bella, ready to ambush me several days later as I was getting ready to shuck a few of the late stragglers.
Here's some of what was getting picked in August. Note the zucchinis in the last two shots, the first in two years!
Bella, part monkey, loves high places.
Here we are on September 10th. A drought had set in, with no decent rain since July.
I was watering daily, and the fall plantings had come up. Here's a couple short rows of carrots, some beets, and some turnips just coming up on the right. Behind them are the zucchini plants on the left, and beans on the right.
The fall cucumbers came up nicely, but didn't get very big. They never do in the fall. Must be the light.
The cantaloupes were almost done by then, but a couple were still ripening.
The zucchini plants were big and healthy. I'm still not sure why they wouldn't grow for me in the spring, or the whole year before, but I'm glad they finally did.
Here's some of what was picked in September.
Here's a zucchini that was hiding and made it to 18 inches long before I saw it.
Always gotta have some of it fried. Yum.
Here's a zucchini casserole that I love.
It tastes much better than it looks, lol.
Happily, there was so much zucchini that I was able to freeze plenty for several of those casseroles later this winter.
Here's how to do it. First, slice them up. You don't have to peel them if the skins are clean, but I always do anyway.
Then drop small batches in boiling water for three minutes to blanch. I do it in a big steamer pot, so all I have to do is lift the perforated section out to drain the zucchini and remove them all at once.
After the three minutes, go immediately from the boiling water to ice water. The ice is in the bowl under the strainer, to keep the zucchini separate and easy to lift out.
Arrange the slices on sheets, trying to keep them from touching.
Pop the sheets in a freezer.
When fully frozen, bag up the loose slices and toss them back in the freezer until needed. I was able to do four batches this year (with a batch being a freezer full of sheets), so I'm all set.
There was also enough to shred for the freezer. I don't blanch when doing this. I don't even know if it's possible.
It just goes straight from the food processor to the freezer.
Here's a zucchini cake made with some of it. It's the carrot spice cake recipe, but with zucchini instead of carrots.
That's homemade frosting, too. I never knew it was so easy to make until just this year. I may never buy frosting again, at least not for this kind of cake.
With fall setting in, out came the seasonal stuff.
Of course it was like Toyland for Bella. I can't wait until the Christmas tree goes up... /s
The beans started coming in near the end of September.
And several peppers were ripening to red.
Unfortunately, the zucchini plants started dying right at the end of the month, one by one. By that time I already had more than enough, so it was okay. That last plant was the strongest and actually lasted until the first freeze.
Here's the last picking of cucumbers and zucchini right before the first freeze, which, believe it or not, came on October 15th yet again. I'm pretty sure it's happened on the 15th for the last four years in a row. How weird is that? To make it weirder, this year it was also the only cold night in the middle of an unseasonably warm drought. It warmed right back up after, with nighttime lows in the 50s, and stayed that way for weeks.
That one freeze did finally give the trees some color, though. Not much this year, maybe because of the drought, but things were fairly pretty for a week or so.
As usual, the mums survived the freeze better than any of the other flowers.
Here's a Blue-headed Vireo watching a Chipping Sparrow taking a bath. Both are migratory and were on their way south. The bird fountain was very busy during the drought, but I never got around to setting the camera out on remote to catch any of the busiest times.
Here's a cute little chipmunk.
Here's one up on top a birdhouse for some reason. Probably trying to get over to the bird feeder hanging nearby in that tree.
Bella saw him, too.
And here she is being silly. She has this thing where she has to go and sit in any new space that opens up...
... including the dishwasher, lol.
Here we are on October 30th. The leaves were done and mostly on the ground.
Here's the stuff that survived the freeze from two weeks earlier – carrots, turnips, and a few peas on the far right. The beets were pulled right before the freeze, but I guess I forgot to take pics. The drought was still going on in this pic (check out that dead grass in the background), but that night would be the end of it. Many inches of rain would fall in the next week or so.
The tomatoes, peppers, and beans didn't make it, of course. A marigold between the tomatoes was trying to hold on, but not very well, lol.
Tomatoes that were already set on the plants kept ripening after the freeze. I guess it didn't damage the fruits themselves very badly.
The freeze also shut the asparagus down. I have a few female plants and these are their berries.
Dead cantaloupes.
Dead cucumbers.
The fall peas didn't do well at all this year. This small patch was all that wanted to grow.
I didn't get much, just small amounts like this a couple of times. I'm going back to my proven Miragreen seed from Gurney's next year.
Here's a few carrots and turnips on the last day of the drought.
Bella, by some carrots.
Because it warmed up so nicely after the freeze, I started working on the back deck. It was in dire need of some new stain before winter. It had been years.
I also made some new steps. New railings will have to wait until spring. I have to replace the front supporting joist and re-level the whole thing first (there's a sag in the middle), and with colder weather finally setting in I won't have time. I can't work out in the cold, lol.
I intentionally gave the steps a low rise of only 4 inches to be easier on my aging knees. I'll lay in a landing of paving stones on the ground in front of them when I get around to it.
And here we are at the start of November, which is leaf raking time. Bella quickly discovered she likes leaping head-long into leaf piles, lol.
Here she is in one. Can you spot her?
Last week I pulled some turnips, and there were actually still some edible tomatoes on the dead vines.
Turnips make a great stew with chicken, broth, mushrooms, onions, kale, and white wine.
Just a few days ago I dug some carrots. Not the greatest, but not bad either.
Here's some with a small piece of broiled chicken.
And of course the obligatory carrot spice cake, not fully frosted this time. Sometimes plain is good too.
And here's how things look now, the weekend before Thanksgiving. The leaves are down and cleared away, the grass is greening up a little after the drought, and there are still plenty of carrots and turnips in the garden, but that's all.
The shadows are getting long early now – this was only 3:30 in the afternoon – and there's still another month to go before the days start getting longer again.
Thanks for dropping by and sticking it out to the end. I know this was a long one.
Bella says see you next year!
Post shots of your own gardening stuff if you want.
Winter is coming.
thanks for all the bella pictures, what a personality. did I see some white locate paint on the ground in a couple pictures?
She's a blast.
What do you mean by the paint on the ground? Like Bella's a performer taking her mark or construction marks?
nah, I thought I saw a painted white line on the ground in a few shots. I'm haunted by past vocations apparently.
Might have been the garden hose.
after a second look, they were ...
That was quite a story. Even made me laugh when I saw Bella in the dishwasher. My wife's been bringing home a lot of edamame from her mini-farm lately, which is something I really enjoy and it's very healthy.
Thanks, Buzz. I should try to post more often so they won't be so long.
Edamame is supposed to be really good for you.
Very nice. Made me hungry.
Thanks, John.
A good harvest, Dig, especially considering you were in a drought.
And Bella looks quite pleased with herself.
Thanks. The only good thing about a drought is the lack of mowing.
Bella is really turning into a great cat. She so energetic and funny. She's a bit feisty, and plays a little too rough (bites and scratches), but she might grow out of that as she gets older and lazier, like cats tend to do.
I've always preferred a feisty cat.
I could swear that in that bottom pic, she's daring you to rub her belly.
it's a trap!!!
Every time.
unless the kitty is brush friendly ...
Dev's right, definitely a trap, lol. She'll get you.
She's still plenty affectionate, though. She stopped trying to jump into my arms when she grew a little, but she still wants to be held, so now she reaches up with her paws and climbs on you a little as if she's asking to be picked up, like a baby would. Once held, she purrs and purrs and purrs.
Unfortunately, not yet. She thinks you're playing with her and tries to grab the brush and chew on it. Your hand too if you're not quick enough. I'm going to have to work on that. Luckily, her fur isn't much of a problem so far. She doesn't leave it all over everything she touches like some cats do.
I broke my cat howard in with a well used toothbrush applied to his face. eventually I cut the handle in half and he would bring it to me like a cat toy. he worked his way up to a regular hairbrush, and finally the upholstery brush on the vacuum. first with the vacuum off and then later with it on. being a cat, he never responded to his name, or kitty, but if he could hear that vacuum, it was a dead sprint towards it.
the ex was obsessed with vacuuming, along with nagging me about her arch nemesis howard shedding. to keep the peace I provided her a house cat that came running when the vacuum was turned on and was willing to stand there for the removal of hair before it found it's way to the furniture. he even allowed her to skip the upholstery brush, if she kept the nozzle away from his face, but sucking his tail up the hose was perfectly acceptable ...
That's kind of amazing. I can't even imagine Bella letting me vacuum her, lol.
Neither of my cats likes to be held. They'll tolerate it, but don't like it. They will both climb into my lap, though, for as long as the dog allows, which is about 0.12 seconds.
your dominate protector gets jealous of the felines?
Very.
They all sleep in my bed, too, which he allows, but he has to be the one closest to me.
It's good to be loved, I guess.
Also, hugs from family piss him off.
howard used to push the ex out of the bed. apparently a king sized bed wasn't big enough for the 3 of us, or her snoring like a hammer drill was a bit too much. to this day, I still can't fall asleep without the TV on ...
I've turned 3 cats from feral to lap cats with a brush so far ...
they all do that. it's a long process for them to become familiar with a brush. a used up toothbrush isn't as intimidating. after the initial introduction, I wedged a hairbrush into something at kitty height. after I did that howard's curiosity got the best of him and he realized what brushes were for ...
Buddy didn't mind the brush at all, unless he just wasn't in the mood to be still. He never resisted it or tried to play with it. Bella is going to require some effort, but she doesn't shed much so it hasn't really been an issue so far. Even when I pick her up and hold her for a while she only leaves a couple of hairs on my shirt. I'm not covered like I was with Buddy. I'm counting that as a big plus, lol.
Very Nice. I will try to post some pictures this weekend
Looks like you got stuff put up and make some cake and had help from the cat
Thanks. Yeah, things turned out well. I have plenty in the freezer this year.
Truly outstanding, Dig. Of course, Bella stole the show. She is so great.
Thanks, G. She's so much fun. I hope she doesn't grow out of that too fast.
Morning Dig... absolutely great photos and info...
I am cultivating some self sown tomato plants at the moment from last year and I hope they do well this year..
Last year the plants grew over 7 foot and went into the neighbours and I got heaps of tomatoes off them..they are a bit bigger than cherry tomatoes and I am still using them now after stewing them down and freezing them..
We have got a "green drought" where I am... everything is green but we are well down on our rainfall and an hour north of me they are in drought.. my feeling is it will be a horrendous season for bushfires and my State of Victoria is a prime candidate..
Bella is doing exceptionally well and yes I think you can kiss the Christmas tree good bye..this could be a preview...not my photo...
Thanks, Shona. I'm glad your tomatoes are working out for you. Keep growing from seed and you may end up with your own variety, lol.
There was a fire a couple of counties away from me during the drought. I think it was in a forested area and didn't damage any houses or anything, but the smoke was strong enough that I could smell it on the wind here, and was even worried that it was nearby at first. Thankfully it wasn't. No worries now, though. Plenty of rain recently.
I expect Bella to literally climb the Christmas tree from the inside. It might be a hassle, but will probably make for some great photos, especially if she sticks her head out at the top or something.
Great photos, Dig and Bella is cute.
Your kitchen is as well kept as your garden.
Carrots in November, geez where I grew up there there 18 inch’s of snow on the ground….Not a carrot to be found.
Thanks, Kav. The climate here is such that you can usually get away with leaving root crops in the ground all winter. Or most of it, anyway. I did an experiment once and still had decent fall-planted carrots (but not great ones) in the first week of March the following year. After that they went to mush pretty quickly, though.
Winter carrots, amazing.
Plants are still growing in the greenhouse but no new tomatoes are forming.
Hope to have a few for Thanksgiving
That's great! The way you trellised them like an arching tunnel of tomatoes is awesome.
Cucumbers would love that, too. They would hang down where you could easily grab them.
I might try that, I grow cukes on a trellis I made out of swing sets. But I need to work on them.
these are parsnips. years ago I tried to grow some, later they started to come up in the fall
and then more.came. They will grow all winter and be a cover crop to turn under in spring.
The parsnip roots are too tough and bitter but they look pretty and green in the winter so I let
them grow.
Cool. They come back on their own? I bet the roots make tunnels in the ground that improve the soil, too.
I don't know if I've ever had parsnips.
And more come every year. Some get over 6 foot tall by spring. You can boil small roots but I haven't tried it.
Before the frost I dug up some volunteer tomatoes there were not as many as usual. Try to keep them over the winter and put in the greenhouse in spring.
,
Good luck! I hope it works. Do you know if they came from heirloom parent plants?
I don't know. I will seed some heirlooms,
I had a few problems with the greenhouse I purchased the transplants from.
The peppers were to be of the mild heat type, for my wife can't take the hot peppers in the salsa, but when I made the salsa it turned out to be too hot and found the peppers were not the ones as advertised, I even ended up with some jalapenos which I didn't even buy.
The tomatoes were supposed to be the smooth round and I ended up with an heirloom heavily crevassed ones that rotted quickly and I couldn't use them in the salsa, so I used the Roma tomatoes which I also got from them and they were right.
I thought I was putting in more broccoli and cauliflower but found that half of them were Brussel sprouts and the Brussel sprouts were Brussel sprouts so I have plenty of those.
The butternut squash ended up being a type of squash I hadn't seen before and they are huge, green, with some yellowish lengthwise striping, something similar to the movie of Wallace and Grommit where Grommit is growing a squash for competition in the movie about a Wererabbit.
This experience also reminds me of another movie "Secondhand Lions", when a traveling salesman sells them garden seeds.
That happened to my parents one year. They bought green bell peppers. They don't eat foods spicier than mild salsa, so they were giving jalepenos away to anybody who would take them.
Our banana peppers ended up being Hungarian Hot peppers, I made up 12 quarts and later that night continuing for a week I realized they were hot peppers because my hands were burning and even taking a shower was excruciating. But I love hot salsa and so does my son, so we will take care of it. I did make a few batches of pickled string beans and placed jalapenos in a few quarts, but not all of them.
After first time I helped make salsa I learned to wear gloves and safety glasses. I like hot salsa, too
Mixing up banana peppers and Hungarian hot wax peppers was a disaster because I like to graze while working in garden. I don't buy Hungarian peppers anymore to prevent that because they look alike. I get hot peppers that look different and plant them on opposite sides of the garden
salsa gardens are very popular where I'm at, my sister has one and does everything but the tomatoes in her little greenhouse, those go against the southside of the masonry wall. heavy on the tomatoes, since allegedly we're 1/4 italian ...
the packaging usually tastes better than the store bought tomatoes contained in them these days ...
My greenhouse gave me a couple of wrong peppers too this year. They were big like bell peppers but longer and a little pointy on the end. I'm not sure what they were, maybe poblanos, but I really don't know. They weren't hot so it was no big deal.
Sounds like you had a really good garden this year, even with some wrong stuff.
How does that unknown squash taste? They might be a kind of delicata like these (pic from the internet).
Something similar to those just the opposite coloration.
Their in storage and haven't tried one yet, but to see what the deer like I cut one up and put it on a makeshift feed pile and they didn't touch it, they did like all the excess watermelons, red beets, and sweet corn, but, to be fair, they didn't like the zucchini either.
they must be young american deer. they won't eat anything unless it tastes like candy ...
Just tried one raw and to me it is kind of a cross between a pumpkin and cantaloupe, I thought it was actually good, but gave it to my wife she took a bite an immediately spit it out saying that is disgusting, so the only way it will make it to the table is if I do it.
You should slice one up and pop it in the oven with some butter on top and see how it turns out. That'll probably be much better than raw. She might like it cooked.