Tasty organic fruit & vegetables in mid-September from a small home garden! After a wonderful time away I was not expecting to return to much of a crop as we have eaten vegetables from our garden since spring. But thanks to a sprinkling of rain and continuing sunshine, the garden was a wonderful surprise with plenty of produce to give away. Hope you enjoy a visual tour of my chemical-free hobby garden.
Mid Fall tomato cropTomatoes & Wilt
The tomatoes began to suffer from wilt about three weeks ago so the only "chemical" used on the garden this year was a baking soda / water spray on both the greenhouse and outside tomatoes. I was not expecting any more healthy tomatoes this year but came home to many red fruit on the vines. There is still a good crop of green tomatoes, so I have pruned the diseased leaves, etc and re-sprayed one more time as the weather forecast is for continuing warm, dry conditions in the next few days.
Night temperatures in the Valley are hovering around 10 degrees celsius and below. Time to protect your tomatoes from frost.
Others Enjoy Our Organic Garden
While checking out the garden I was being checked out by a territorial Blue Jay in the bird bath, and a red-headed Rufus hummingbird was making sure I was not poaching his scarlet runner bean flowers. There were also a family of chickadees and other small birds who were enjoying the insects. Often a pair of Anna's hummingbirds visit the garden wildflowers as well as a family of robins.
New Recipes to Try
The garden is overgrown with a bounty of kale, tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, zucchini, raspberries, strawberries and parsley with plenty to share. The berries are a second crop with more fruit on the ever-bearing strawberries. With an abundance of zucchini I am planning to bake zucchini fries and use fresh raspberries to bake for the freezer and I have found enough apples for one more fresh apple pie.
Fresh cukes & tomatoes for Greek Salad - just add Feta cheeseThis summer the only addition to all the gardens has been my own organic compost, coffee grounds and mulch including wood shavings for the pathways No added chemicals or fertilizers have been used.
Another fun year in the garden is coming to a close with Fall only days away. Hoping your home garden has been both bountiful and loads of fun this year.
Links & References
QUICK GREEK SALAD - Make often & enjoy!
- 2 Cucumbers
- 3 - 4 Tomatoes
- 2 Green peppers (yellow or orange)
- Chop above vegetables & add:
- ½ purple & white onions sliced
- Small Jar Kalamata Olives, drained
- Mix all vegetables well & add:
- Dressing of your choice ie 50% olive oil & vinegar, plus juice from a lemon & oregano spice
- Top with generous portion of light crumbled Feta cheese (when served)
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