Summer is ending with a big sigh....Gardening was a difficult chore and I don't like to talk that way but really...We just about drown in rain this spring and summer and it's done havoc with the tomato and squash plot. I was able to save the garlic, onions, peppers and greens but tomatoes, cukes and squash were a wash out. I'm 75 1/2 yrs and this summer really made me see how hard it is to continue with such a large garden so I'm closing down one of my biggest plots. I'll find organic growers and purchase bushels of food from them to can. I still have the strength to can....put up 14 pints of pickled peppers today. Tomorrow brings a day of canning tomatoes from a farm stand. Need my canned toms' to last the winter. Don't worry...I'll keep my smaller garden for beans and such plus I have my fantastic herb bed. Gardening is in my blood, I love it, even weeding. It's a place where I can loose myself in thought, relax and listen to the birds feeding their young....even watch baby bunnies grow up. Watching hummingbirds fly around the yard, sipping at their feeders while I relax under the umbrella fills my heart.

I hope other families had better luck with their garden. In peace, love and laughter, I say have a glorious fall and winter. It'll be here to soon for me.
🎃 ⛄ 💜

Finally getting back to writing notes. Been having surgery on both eyes and continuing with PT BUT...I'm out in the garden. Back in June, my families got together and helped plant the garden. It was a huge undertaking and one I graciously welcomed. They've been so good to me since surgery.
So, what do I have in the garden? Tomatoes (36 dif. varieties), Squashes (lots), Melons, Beans, onions, garlic, peppers (40 dif. kinds..hot, mild, tame), kale, collards, carrots, celery, lovage, sorrel, walking onions, rutabaga and herbs. Then my herb garden is full of 25 dif. kinds of plants. This year, I ventured out with a "Green Stalk" and I love it. May end up getting more of these. This is where I grow all my lettuce (5 kinds), Spinach, cilantro, parsley, flowers, strawberries, basil (3 kinds) and few peppers. Porch is also lined with tomato plants and Stevia.
Could not weed or even go to the garden for anything until Tuesday (a week ago) so spending every day catching up on garden duties....spending a few hours a day. Garlic and onions will be finished and ready to pull next week. Can hardly wait. I've missed nurturing my garden so much....one forgets how much you miss doing until you can't do it. So...we've had plenty of rain in June, now we need the sun. Enjoy the rest of your gardening.

I have a question that may sound silly but what do all those symbols mean when you like someone's post ? For instance..... the strawberry, lemon, carrot, cactus, watermelon and pepper ??

In my inside sprouting room, Peppers are so slow coming up but the Moringa just sprouted. Hope I can keep them growing. They are a somewhat tough plant to grow up here. Planted my tomatoes (34 but some are to be for my kids). My lettuce is almost ready to cut...using scissors to cut cause they are just the shoots. In the next few days, starting some flowers, more herbs and repot houseplants and my lemon trees that I started from seed. They're about 5 inches tall and probably won't grow lemons but it's fun to see what'll happen. Hope everyone is excited about gardening as I am every year. Enjoy your day !!!

Hi folks, My garden is under quite a lot of snow now and it's snowing again. No planting in my area until maybe May 31 weekend. Pretty short growing season due to no greenhouse. First frost...sometimes mid September or first week in October. We are 4B in Burlington, Vermont. I have started planting seeds downstairs under lights...Peppers, lettuce for sprouts and a few herbs plus celery. Next week, maybe a few more things that take a while to grow. I'm 75yrs, husband is 76yrs and we have an agreement that he tills, keeps borders and grounds looking good and I take care of 2 larger veggie gardens, an herb garden plus one small garden for leftovers......flowers and Rhubarb. Garlic was planted last fall. Onions will go in mid April if the ground is thawed. Glad to meet you all. For those in warmer climates, Happy Planting !!