Lots of Green Tomatoes and No Rain

I harvested more leeks, hot peppers, and carrots but I'm waiting for at least a dozen tomatoes to ripen yet. We've had warm weather and lots of sunshine but no rain since Labor Day. So I've been trying to water consistently to avoid cracks in the developing tomatoes. The garden looks surprisingly lush regardless of the weather. 

There are still 15 or so leeks, maybe a dozen carrots, sporadic hot peppers, kale here and there, and basil along with lots and lots of green tomatoes. 

Hurry up and ripen!

Lots of fruit on the vines. 

A praying mantis stands guard at the end of the season. I wish it would eat whatever is munching on the hot pepper leaves. 

Summer's End

The flowers and butterflies are taking advantage of these past few hot and sunny days. 

I managed to tease one Sleeping Beauty melon out of my squash bug ravaged vines. Tasty but a little too small for a melon enthusiast. 

The tomatoes are just starting to ripen now and I've been enjoying a steady supply of carrots all season long. 

This was my last bean harvest before pulling the remaining vines. The back of the plot is now nice and open and perfect for late season tomatoes. 

I also pulled the cucumber vines as they were yellowing and no longer flowering. The leeks however are still very happy. 

I lifted the three largest leeks for potato leek soup. I'm really happy with their size and feel that starting the seeds in winter is the only way to go. 

Trimmed leaves. 

Perfect. 

Starting Leek Seeds Indoors

I planted leek seeds about a week ago in a recycled plastic food container, using a peat medium. They sprouted a few days ago and are doing well. 

The seed trays are right in front of a south-facing window, where they get lots of light all day. 

After dark, I put a light over the trays to extend the "day", in an attempt to prevent leggy growth. 

So far, everything looks good and we're looking forward to big, fat leeks this summer!