The same can be said for the garden. As I've mentioned before in this space, it's been a rough growing season for us. At this point we're just waiting for the last of the fruits and veggies to ripen up so I can pull everything out and put the gardens to bed. Do you ever get just so very tired of the growing season? Maybe more so when it hasn't been as productive as you might have hoped it would be? Yep, I'm there. Right there.
Grow
There is hope, however, in the tiny greens that are doing well under the grow lights. Well, at least there's hope in the kale and swiss chard that is thriving and waiting patiently for me to get outside and give it it's winter home. The spinach under the grow lights? Well, it's not doing as well. It's actually going straight to seed before it even hits an inch high so I guess that's one green that will have to be directly sown. Again, once I get out there and get it done.
The carrots (which I didn't photograph) are limping along, as well. I'm convinced they're just mad at me for not getting them transplanted yet.
Harvest
The garden has reached the point in the season where I can pretty much go out once a week and gather a good harvest. Anything more often and I just feel sad and frustrated that there's not more happening out there.
Additionally, the chickens are still not happy with their wet run from all the rains and are still molting...so egg production is still really low. I guess it just makes each egg that much more precious, right?
Harvest totals for the past two weeks:
- Cucumbers
- Lemon - 3 oz
- White Wonder - 6 oz
- Eggplant
- Early Long Purple - 14 oz
- Florida High Bush - 1 lb 9 oz
- Peppers
- Chocolate Bell - 6 oz
- Ring-o-Fire Cayenne - 2 oz
- Strawberries - 1 oz
- Tomatillos - 10 oz
- Tomatoes
- Black from Tula - 15 oz
- Cherokee Purple - 15 oz
- Small Sweet Red Cherry - 2 oz
- Indigo Rose - 14 oz
- Orange Flesh Purple Smudge - 2 oz
- Roma - 4 lb 8 oz
- Yellow Taxi - 3 oz
- Eggs - 42
Eat
Well, I am happy to report that we are doing a bit better at cooking at home and are really determined to continue to shift the horrible pattern of eating out we've set for ourselves over the past few months. While much hasn't changed in the way of what we'll cook and eat, you won't see me complaining. While our meals aren't incredibly exciting or exotic, they will be made in our kitchen and enjoyed without guilt. WooHoo! And hey...you might notice a theme...it is chile season, after all!!!
Breakfast
- Scrambled eggs with squash, tomatoes and toast
- Bagels and cream cheese
- Omelettes filled with garden veggies
- Oatmeal with berries
- Cold cereal with bananas or berries
- Protein shakes with berries or bananas and peanut butter
- Fried eggs and toast
- Cottage cheese with peaches
- Leftover dinners from previous nights
- Sandwiches (PB&J, turkey, roast beef)
- Beef and potato burritos
- Bean Burritos (handheld)
- Chicken and potato burritos (smothered in chile)
- Make-your-own pizza
- Vegetarian Lasagna
- Hamburgers and salad
- Beef ribs, mashed potatoes and veggies
- Bean burritos (smothered in chile)
- Tamale Pies
- Nachoes
- Huevos Rancheros
- Veggie fried rice with tofu
What are you growing, harvesting, planning and eating in your neck of the woods? Please share your stories and links in the comments below!
xoxo,
Lovely harvest and your cool weather crops are looking beautiful too!
ReplyDeleteAnd I absolutely agree with you, my meals may not always be very unique or exotic but they are home made and full of healthy stuff! And made with LOVE!
I know exactly what you mean about being tired of the garden, especially in a bad year! But you are still producing some very nice looking tomatoes there and those eggplants! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteVery nice harvest and your fall seedlings look beautiful. And yes, you do get tired at the end of the season but then come Feb you can't wait to plant again :)
ReplyDeleteIsn't that the truth!? February might be the longest month ever! ;-)
DeleteGrand looking harvest basket. Someday I might try tomatillos.
ReplyDeleteTomatillos are delicious! I highly recommend trying them! They do, however, take up a ton of space, so plan accordingly ;-)
DeleteIt was a tough growing season almost everywhere -- too wet, too dry, too hot, too cold, lots of extremes. Your harvest looks good despite the challenges. And your starts look healthy and I think you did the right thing starting them indoors. Just time to take a few minutes and get them in the ground. They'll take off growing and that will make you feel better.
ReplyDeleteYour harvest looks beautiful. Don't be so hard on yourself.
ReplyDeleteOur chickens are molting, also. Our yard looks like the site of a crazed pillow fight. Egads!
You still got 42 eggs, I think that's a lot of eggs, and lovely harvest.
ReplyDeleteYep I am having a bit of garden fatigue too, need to get in the garden and do some serious pulling and cleaning and put the gardens to bed for the winter,