Since Jane and I have a rather large garden, I've found that I have to stay ahead of the game. Our summer garden is winding down, and I'm preparing to plant our fall vegetables. We still have a few things that are producing.
The green peppers are still sweet and tasty, and we've been enjoying the fresh cantaloupe just about every day. They have been unusually delicious this year.
We've already harvested this spaghetti squash and sugar pie pumpkin. Jane has a great recipe for using the spaghetti squash in making a pie. She'll post the recipe here soon, but I'll give you a hint. Believe it or not, it tastes just like coconut pie.
I spent just about every day last week removing cornstalks and tomato plants. The tomato cages have been put away for the winter. Jane and I enjoyed the last fresh tomato from our garden yesterday. It was a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich. Since the marigolds we had planted in between the tomato plants were still blooming, I decided to leave them.
Even my brother Jim and his wife Jean came out today to pull the weeds and get their 2 raised beds ready to plant the fall crop.
This year I decided to add grass to the walkways around the raised beds. We sprigged centipede in the spring. I think it looks a lot nicer and it's easy to maintain.
Earlier this year, we added this garden arbor and seating area. After 5 months, the yellow jessamine is really filling in nicely.
Last week I took out an entire raised bed of overgrown zinnias, but I left these by the fence.
Besides, they are still attracting the pollinators like this bee and
this butterfly.
These flowers are so pretty that Jane says she's going to plant even more next year.
I decided to hang some of these small pumpkins and gourds on this old clothesline pole.
I remember helping my father dig the holes and putting up this post in 1966. Mother Nature decided to use it to support this trumpet vine.
The trumpet vine's flowers are a real attraction for hummingbirds.
Here in South Carolina we plant our fall garden right around Labor Day. Lucy and I have decided that we're going to plant lettuce, cabbage, rutabagas, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and of course, collards. Here is a link to my now famous collard greens recipe.
Do you think we should plant anything else in our fall garden?
CAS
I really enjoyed the tour of your garden area, Leo! We know we can grow winter crops here in AZ, but we haven't investigated just what those might be. I got out early one morning to clear out all the remaining dead vines in our garden (should have been done sooner, but it has just been too hot....whew!), but we still need to weed the area & really clean it up. I'm thinking Labor Day will be too early to start planting anything here, since we are still hovering around 108 degrees! I just love the old clothesline post where you have the baskets of pumpkins hanging -- what lovely memories.
CAS
rose
i love the grass it is super green
Thistle
I love your garden! You had me at the sign 🙂 I have raised beds planned for the spring!
Have a blessed and wonderful day!
karianne
PS I love your zinnias 🙂
Ginger
You are my HERO GARDENER. I live vicariously through you since I am not able to do this any longer. As for planting, I would be happy with rutabagas, collards, a pan of cornbread and a tall glass of ice cold buttermilk.
Hugs and Blessings to you and Jane
Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage
spaghetti squash tastes like pumpkin pie - who knew?!
I have always wanted to try raised beds - yours are fabulous. Love those zinnias - I've been wanting to plant a bed of those for cutting. Maybe next year! Can't believe we are already talking pumpkins! Fall is my favorite season but it's tough to think about while still wearing flip flops.
Kelly
Hannah
Love your blog, and it's nice to see someone my age in blogland! I love a fall/winter garden. Have you thought of adding Swiss Chard? Not only is it easy to grow, it's so pretty you can use it in your flower beds.
Diane
I've enjoyed following along with your garden posts this year and look forward to the Fall garden news to come. But this California girl wasn't quite sure what sprigging centipede was so I had to Google that and now I know! Looking forward to Jane's pie recipe!
[email protected] of Laughter
You garden is fabulous! You are so lucky! I really want to have my own garden next year! That fresh produce is just divine! Have a lovely week Leo & Jane! Angie
JoAnn @ SweetPepperRose
Great garden! we never got around to doing one at all this year. LOVE the pumpkins in the hanging basket, and oh what a beautiful trumpet vine
JoAnn
[email protected] Designs
I live vicariously through your garden!...I love seeing the progress and harvest....the flowers still look beautiful....and I love the way you placed those pumpkins in the hanging planter!!
Happy planting!!! Hope it is getting cooler down there for you.
Keeping it Cozy
Your garden is so inspiring! And I just love the pumpkins hanging... a little reminder that fall is just around the corner. I loved reading what you are planting for the fall... I've been thinking about planting a fall garden myself. I thought maybe I was "gardened" out but reading your post has made me feel a little motivated! 🙂
Jean Windham
I do enjoy reading your perspective on the garden. I will be looking for Jane's spaghetti squash recipe as well. I bet she has a good recipe for squash soup too. Looking forward to all the plantings for the fall garden. Take care. Jean
Barbara F.
I always enjoy your gardening posts, Leo. I can't wait to see Jane's spaghetti squash pie recipe. Looking forward to the SBC. (You could give a talk about gardening.) 😉 xo
Tricia
I'm excited about our fall garden also. I'm planting many things that you are, but in addition ... spinach, garden sorrell, kale and swiss chard ... I use a lot of it for our green/fruit smoothies in the morning. Your garden area and yard look great!
Carlene @ Oganized Clutter
A fall garden. Never heard of that here in Minnesota!
Vickie
Aren't you going to plant any spinach and carrots? I hope the mosquitoes will leave soon so I can get out in my garden and plant.
leo
Thanks for the reminder Vickie. I am going to plant spinach and carrots
Gee
Such a beautiful garden and bounty!! Never attempted a garden 🙁 **hiding black thumbs behind back** I just admire the beauty in my friends.
I am one of the people that keeps the Farmers Market alive.. LOL..
Cheers, waiting to see what you plant.
Gee