I love having a vegetable garden. It is really cool going out into the yard and picking something for dinner. Yeah, and at the produce shop, I have a little conversation with myself that goes something like this: “No, I don’t need to buy potatoes ’cause we have lots of them. Nope, I don’t need any zucchini cause we have too many of them! And no, no peas for us this week because we have them, too!” And I smile to myself 🙂
I like it. We’re still learning. And growing. And changing. But I think it is all good. I tend to only put “pretty” pictures in the blog. I’ll change that this week. One picture shows what should be the pretty pumpkin flower, but this one is eaten by slugs. We have had so many, many, many slug this year! It’s amazing we have an abundant harvest given how much was sacrificed to slugs. We’ll be changing the layout of the fruit orchard this winter. The strawberries needed more space than we planned so we’ll be spreading them out. Now about the pumpkins: they take up a lot of space! But I love seeing their flowers so late in the summer. We’re hoping for some pumpkins this year – if they survive the slugs! Luckily, our potatoes haven’t been affected by the slugs. Our main crop variety of Organic Sarpo Mira are delicious. The soil is excellent after the compost worked through it. It’s quite easy to fork up the spuds, wipe off the dirt, and boil them up! I think they just might be our favorites of the garden (for the moment, anyway).
I hope you have access to fresh garden vegetables this summer!
Dana
P.S. I changed my blog around a little bit. I hope you like it!
A view of the fruit orchard. The rhubarb has been cut, strawberries are overgrown, and the pumpkins are taking over! Apple trees are happy.
Another view of the fruit orchard. The blueberry plants on the right aren’t very big, but we were surprised by all of the yummy fruit!
Our eating apples coloring nicely.
The pumpkins growing like crazy.
Pumpkin flowers.
O.K., here is the ugly picture: the flower on the right has been eaten. I decided not to show you the picture of the slugs 🙂
I have a bunch of these tiny little pumpkins … I’m not sure if they are too late to develop fully. We’ll have to wait and see.
My “Before” picture of some of our blueberries.
The “After” picture of some of our blueberries! They were sweet and delicious!
The bed of Organic Sarpo Mira potatoes, our dinner’s worth, and the fork to lift them out with!
They really are a great size! We’re delighted with their taste, too.
I have to have a picture of flowers in my post! This was about 6 PM this evening. After yet another very wet day, the evening was simply beautiful. And for that I am very, very thankful.
Mom in the Garden 
as usual, reading this put a smile on my face!!!!
Thank you Stephanie!
Those potatoes look fantastic! I have blueberry envy too as I had the grand total of TWO blueberries this year… what a dilemma! Should I eat them, freeze them or use them as a very small garnish? The decision was made for me when the birds got there before me 🙂
I like your new blog look x
Haha PJ Girl! This was our second year with those blueberry plants. I have three other first year plants that were just like yours – just a couple fruit on them. We used to go Organic Blueberry picking in Pulaski, New York and the plants were huge!!! and so many berries on them! I’m dreaming of when that will happen here in Sheepwalk 🙂 Thanks for the feedback on the new look!
This is so fantastic Dana, I get such a cozy feeling when I read your blog!
I will never tire of hearing from you Lisa 🙂 You are very kind to say such nice things. Thank you!
Beautiful garden! What camera do you use?
Thank you! I have two cameras that I use: My Canon Rebel xsi 55-250 mm lens (my normal lens broke about 2 months ago. It makes it tricky to use this one up close!). I just got a new camera that I’m still getting used to: Samsung WB150F smart camera. I love taking pictures 🙂
I like the new page. looks lovely. your garden is amazing! so nice you are enjoying it!
Oh good, I’m glad to have the positive feedback on the new look – Thank you Danalisa! The garden is where I tend to go at the end of my day as I find it so peaceful. Although, now that it’s getting darker sooner, I might have to grab my “peace” a bit earlier!
Dana, your new look on your blog is stunning. Perfect for someone that enjoys the beauty of gardening. Everything looks great in the garden especially considering your problems with slugs.
Hi Karen, I’m sorry I didn’t see your note sooner (how did you end up in spam?!). Thank you so much for the feedback, I really appreciate that! Oh I hide the “bad” pictures of slug destroyed plants 🙂
Beautiful garden! I am jealous of your potatoes! My pumpkins are trying to conquer the world too!
haha Strawberry Patch, the pumpkins are still reaching out further into the garden! I love your expression, as it does seem they are trying to conquer the world! I was so completely impressed with the potatoes – and I can’t wait to do it again next year! I just need to figure out where to put them time next for a rotation (on my to do list…). 🙂
Beautiful garden and blog…the photos are awesome! I’m so glad to have found your site. 🙂 ~ Marsha
Hi Marsha, Thanks so much for stopping by, and for the compliments! I really enjoy the time I get in my garden. I feel so blessed. I’m glad you found me, too! Dana