This year, I grew pumpkins for the first time. In the spring, my daughter gave me two Grizzly Bear seedlings that were leftovers from her work. They both thrived in my garden but only produced one pumpkin each – one good-sized orange pumpkin and one smaller, paler one. I was hoping for a “wartier” appearance, but I am quite happy with the gross details of this specimen. Kind of fun to grow your own Halloween decoration.
Here are a few pictures of some of my harvests from mid-July through the end of August. Notably absent are tomatoes, despite having 12 (!) tomato plants. Thanks, rats and birds 🙁
Yesterday and this morning, I spent a few hours in the garden weeding and cleaning. I also started my fall sowing: Coreless Amsterdam carrots (a fast-growing variety), cilantro, Golden and Detroit Dark Red beets, and a fall greens mix (a mix of lettuces, chards, greens, Chinese cabbage, spinach, endive).
I braided some of my shallots today, and added a few strawflowers from last year’s garlic braid. This year’s strawflowers are not quite ready yet. I am so excited to have them hanging in my pantry with the drying herbs.
This weekend, I made a first (double) batch of Thai basil pesto. I also made my first refrigerator pickles of the summer.
My cucumbers are doing exceptionally well this year. The pickles are based on this recipe, but I brought the brine to a boil first (and then let it cool down again) before adding it to the cucumbers.
First pickling cucumbers (they are big) plus rainbow chard, basil (from pruning the tips), and flowers.