Almost Thanksgiving

I can hardly believe how this year flew past. So much has been going on with us and I have not had a spare moment to post. I will try to catch you all up on some of the goings on soon. How was your garden season? Productive? Ours was a bit better this year, although it was a lot of work to try to stay a step ahead of my friend/neighbor/and nemesis, THE GROUNDHOG.  ;-) A much larger fence helped. Rocks around the fence helped. Nothing truly stopped her. We managed to eek out a fair harvest of tomatoes, corn, carrots, parsnips, eggplant, broccoli rabe, kale, peppers, onions, scallions, greens, herbs, beans, raspberries, blackberries, currants, gooseberries, and blueberries. The artichokes did not do well in the location I picked. Many things would have done better if I had not left for 10 days in Italy in August. I have been sick on and off since my return....culminating in pneumonia. Trying to get back to my old self and clean up the mess that is the garden now. Wondering if it's worth planting some garlic bulbs for next year this late???  How many of your big Spring plans fell by the side as life happened? How many worked out really well? I had a small measure of success with the new fence, and with the re-planting of an old and over grown flower bed.
I am already dreaming of the changes for next year.....how about you?
 

A Little Help Goes a Long Way

We harvested our first tomatoes today. An heirloom golden cherry.

 My Great Niece, age 2, came over to help.

 She was not crazy about the plants brushing up against her legs as we walked the paths, but when I told her this is where we get our food, she smiled and said, "I like food."

 She did like touching the lemon verbena.

 Finding the little golden zucchini under the leaf brought a big smile.

 We even saw some green beans surviving despite the constant Ground Hog attack.

Yes, the beast is still digging under my too tall to climb over fence......and she heads right for the beans every single time! I hope your gardens are growing well and you are all taking the time to share the joy of growing your own with some little children. I do believe it is the best way to Keep the Garden IN the Garden State, or whatever state you live in.

Growing now

I thought I would post a few pictures of what we've got growing right here, right now.

 Finally got Farmer Dad to get a higher fence and build a new gate...we have been successful at keeping the ground hogs- yes she had babies- out of the garden since it went up. Only my broccoli rabe and lettuce and green beans suffered.

My neighbor bought a bigger have a heart and he caught 3 of the 5 ground hogs so far.

I am hopeful.

How are you?

Promise of Spring

This little pot of bulbs..I can almost convince myself it will be warm again soon.
Seed catalogs are stacked next to my chair in the living room and I make lists and try to imagine
what the coming gardening season will bring. We have had a terrible time the last couple of years here in our little corner of the Garden State. Neighbors down the block behind us planted shade trees a few years ago and they now shade our garden. :-(
Ground hogs, bunnies and various other "neighbors" have been pilfering what does grow in the meager sunshine.But last season I did manage to finally get a luffa to grow. I will post pics soon...I am so behind.