The tomatoes did so much better this year than last...I'm very happy about that and think the little igloos paid off. I'm going to try that again, even earlier, next year I think. I harvested what will probably be the last big crop yesterday and made sauce (which burned a little which made me sad but I'll pretend it's supposed to taste toasty), gave a bunch to my parents and have a few more that I am going to make enchiladas with when i'm done writing this blog (at least that's my current plan). The indigo rose (goth) tomatoes are good for cooking but I don't think i'll plant as many next year because they are kind of pithy, not very juicy like the others. Also it's hard to tell when they are ripe because they start out black and the tops stay that way the whole time they are maturing. Only their little undersides clue you in to weather or not they are ripe. C'mon scientists, let's get this right.
My "Love Lies Bleeding" flowers pictured below are going nuts in the front planter. I love them. I have not seen them anywhere else and I am a big garden snooper...they grow so easily too, I'm shocked I haven't! I guess flowers that look like big pink dreadlocks aren't what most folks are going for but I think they are so lovely and unique...and provide great shade too. I will plant these every year forever.
The pumpkins are about ready to harvest because the vines are starting to whiten. I've given up on trying to stop that because they do it no matter what. We have at least 4 lovely orange pumpkins to carve up, make pie from, etc but maybe get 6-8 before all is said and done. And this from a vine that just decided to park itself in our front yard unaided. Very fortuitous!
Last but not least the grapes. I always forget we even have them and as Colin just pointed out it's because you can't see them at all...they hide under the leaves even when I thinned them out to promote the growth. They are delicious but I feel like I don't know what to do with them other than eat them straight. I guess that's a good enough thing to do...no need to get fancy. I have a day job after all.
I planted some bulbs with Anton in the front yard today...we planted them under the grass that we are slowly going to let die off. It'll be interesting to see if they sprout in the spring. Martha Stewart said they would so I'll hold her personally accountable if our hard work doesn't pay off.
Here's to Fall...my favorite season. Welcome, my friend!
