Sadly, it's time to start clearing some of the plants from my veg garden

[Siwsan]

This just wasn't a good year for much of anything but Bell and Scotch Bonnet peppers. Part of that is due to what I bought - the '4th of July' tomatoes were far too small, the Grape tomatoes, far too big, and the San Marzano's just didn't produce that much fruit. I had semi-good luck with the Golden Jubilee. Squash was so-so. Very little yellow squash, just enough zucchini, and just a few Delicata and Acorn squash. Probably my most disappointing garden, ever.

So a WHOLE lot of work with very little to show for it. I think the temperatures were just far too inconsistent, this Summer.

[niyad]

1. It is always sad to lay our gardens to rest. Seems harder when the season was not great.

I know that, for many gardeners here, it was simply too hot, too dry. I know how frustrating and disappointing it can be.

[Siwsan]

2. Our temperatures were just all over the place

Next year I'm going back to Early Girl tomatoes and I'm buying the Grape from a different nursery. And I'm going to plant Roma tomatoes, again.

I usually make and freeze a whole lot of stewed tomatoes. I'm going to have to buy some tomatoes and I'll make less, this year, and resort to canned when the home made is gone.

Despite the veg failures, this was a really good year for garlic so it wasn't a COMPLETE wash out season.

[quaint]

3. My San Marzanos are still producing more than I can eat or can.

Still have green scallops and a few yellow crooknecks. Good peppers, zero eggplant and melons. Weird.

[Siwsan]

4. My Golden Jubilee are still producing and it was a stellar year for garlic

I have a mystery 'volunteer' tomato plant in the front garden with some big but still green fruit. Who knows what kind it is.

Oh well. I had a fantastic garden, last year. Maybe - make that HOPEFULLY - next year will be better.

[femmedem]

5. On the brighter side, you grew some great kittens.

And saved some lives. You've done great.

[quaint]

6. My garlic all disappeared overnight when the greens were about 4" high.

First time ever. I blame Red, the squirrel.

And you are the very best foster mom.

[Siwsan]

8. Awww - thanks!

Those little fur babies are real heart warmers, that's for sure. I put them up in their 'play room' so I can get some stuff done and I kind of miss the chaos.

BUT I picked tomatoes, there's a pot of Marinara sauce bubbling on the stove, and I got some much needed vacuuming done. Also got in some quality time with Sophie.

I'm giving myself a 20 minute break and then it's time to 'seal off' the den, again, and then make their lunch. No doubt they will all find their way back up onto my lap, like they did this morning, for an afternoon snooze.

Which reminds me - time to put some Chardonnay in the refrigerator so I can keep hydrated while I serve as a cat bed.

[niyad]

12. Chardonnay and lap cats. What could be better?

[Diamond_Dog]

7. Our garden wasn't the greatest this summer, either.

Tomatoes did OK, I’m still getting some, but much less than in years past.

I prefer Moby Grape tomatoes because they resist cracking in the heat. I couldn’t find them for a long time and bought and planted plain old Grape tomatoes before I found the Mobys. Although the Grape did well, a lot of them got burnt in the extreme heat.

Lettuces didn’t last past mid July and I had a beetle problem with about a third of my eggplants, which are still growing. The good old green beans did well, as they do every year. I like Burpee’s Desperado green beans.

[Siwsan]

9. I'm going to look for seeds for Moby Grape tomatoes!

I know I've never seen them at any of the nurseries I've used. That name would have caught my attention.

I had the same issue with grape tomatoes two years ago. Last year they were fine, so the issue is with whoever my local nursery gets their plants from. I really love the nursery - locally owned and been here for years - but I'm not going to buy anymore grape tomato plants from them.

[Diamond_Dog]

10. I usually just buy them already started from the store.

I’m the only one who eats them here, and one plant usually produces way more than enough for me. I usually end up giving a lot of them away. This year I have two.

It’s weird but one year the only place I could find them was the Handy-man hardware store. Never have seen them in the big-box places like Lowe’s. Maybe your local place would have them? Or could get them if you ask? I’ve never tried growing them from seed.

[Bayard]

11. Our tomatoes are pitiful this year

I planted Cherokee Purple and Magnificent (for the first time). Both kind of tasteless and mushy. Maybe I need to stop growing them in raised beds?

Cukes doing very well till fungus got them. Waiting for bell peppers to turn orange still.