Today it's 68

Now that it seems like Mother Nature is pushing fall weather upon us, I'm starting to reflect on this season's gardening exploits. It was a funny year (again) with an early summer, a VERY hot July, and almost no rain. Now we're near the end of August and it feels more like the end of September. It's been rainy, windy, and no warmer than 70 the past two days. I can't help but think about pumpkins. In fact, I think they're going to come sooner than expected this year as well. When we were out and about looking for cars last week (actually two weeks ago) we passed several pumpkin fields and in all of them I saw orange peeking out from beneath the leaves.

My own squash pursuits failed again this year. First the squash vine borers chewed up my plants and then an army of pill bugs took over the destruction. I pulled out my last plant last week and called it quits. No home grown squash for me. I will need to move my operation to some fresh land for that dream to come true.

Tomatoes have also proven to be a struggle this year. Hot and dry conditions in July really beat up my plants. I got a few Mortgage Lifters a month ago and then the plants began dropping their buds. Now everything is rebounding slightly, but the cool weather may prevent them from doing very much. And once again, the cherry tomato situation has been a disappointment: very few buds have survived and when they do turn into a tomato, they ripen so sporadically that my harvest is usually 1 or 2 half inch fruits at a time. I should also mention that a nice Boxcar Willie tomato that I was waiting for to ripen was stolen at some point. Since I'm doing a little complaining, I mind as well mention that I have some late blight popping up now with a couple green fruits rotting from the bottom up. Two years ago I had more cherry tomatoes than I knew what to do with. Those were the days.

I should mention that the eggplant gave me two delicious little eggplants last week that we cooked up for dinner so it isn't all bad news. The hot peppers are also doing fine and I've managed to give away many of the ultra hot specimens. I've got a happy looking escarole and two happy musk melon plants. Last week I threw in a row of cucumber seeds and peas under the trellis. Maybe I'll get something out of them before frost. Another round of radish and bush beans also went in. I might try some more lettuce if this cool rain continues.

My plans for the fall are to amend the soil and to see if I can't find a way to treat the pill bug situation. I will try to plant garlic at the end of November for next season but other than that, the soil will be thoroughly worked and improved in time to rest over winter. Next year I might do all flowers over the summer. I seem to have the most luck with spring vegetables anyway. We'll see. If I get an impressive late season harvest of tomatoes I might change my tune.

Cha Cha Hard at Work

Eggplants, Peppers, Greens, and Basil

New Pony, Same Old Cat

It's very fast and very, very blue.

The sunset was pretty the night we drove her home.

No oranges or pinks that night, just yellow, silver, and blue.

Mao Mao got a bag to play in when we got home. I think I see a smile there.

Farm Show!

Over the weekend we attended the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show in northwestern New Jersey. It has become a summertime tradition for us and something I look forward to throughout the year. With all the car hubbub this year, we almost didn't make it. Luckily we pushed ourselves over the weekend and made time to get to the fairgrounds.

Blue Ribbon Duck

Fluffy Chicken (a very popular breed this year)

Exhausted Goats

Yup, It's A Rabbit

Top Down View

Bunny Palace

Flemish Giant

How To Ride A Pig

Side Saddle Works Too

Green and Purple Things

Our once beautiful pony has been totaled so the search is on for an equally awesome ride. Is another Legend Lime in our future? It's too soon to say.

Eggplant #2 was in the cute purple and white stage last Friday.

This morning the little guy was considerably larger and more purple.

Eggplants

Getting Bigger

Eggplant #2 and Future Eggplant

Some Things are Doing Pretty Darn Well

While the tomato plants are yellowing and the squash plant might finally have had enough of my poking around in its vine, other members of my little garden community are beating the heat, the bugs, and the occasional dry spells. You could even say that two plants in particular are thriving.

One of many baby eggplants hangs from my little eggplant tree.

A very happy hot pepper plant might overwhelm us with spicy fruit.