Update from Mary Washington

Planted in January, the asparagus is thriving!

Our ferny-friend Mary Washington asked that I send along an autumn update.
Since first being planted in January, she has grown to a frilly 8" tall.  She has enjoyed her summer on my shady porch, although the heat and drought required a bit more attention than usual.  To minimize shock when she moves to her permanent bed, she was transplanted from her small pots into coca pots which can be set directly into the bed.

Speaking of a permanent asparagus bed, I looking for suggestions for container for that permanent bed.    I'd like to use a container to discourage grass from spreading into the bed and minimize weeding.

Should I build a raised bed with concrete block?

Should I use plastic drums which have been halved?

Should I build a "cold frame" with cold weather protection?

What has worked for you?????  Mary really wants to move to her permanent home!

Dinosaur kale

The fall container garden is making progress.  The dinosaur kale is about 3" tall while the carrots are still only an inch in height.  I did plant spinach earlier in the week which has already sprouted!

Clockwise from top left, Scarlet Nantes carrots, "Dinosaur" kale, and "Baby's leaf" spinach

I'm actually shocked that the spinach sprouted at all since the seeds are dated 2010.  Three days after planting, green leaves are peeking through the soil.  These will (hopefully) thrive on the porch with the Mary Washington asparagus.

Tobasco peppers will be ready soon!

The peppers have been producing well despite the grass and weeds taking over.  We're enjoying the fresh taste in a few of our dishes and freezing or sharing the rest.  The serranos and pepperoncini have been prolific!  The tobascos are nearly ready for harvest and I need to find a fermented-tobasco-sauce recipe.

Do you have a recipe for fermented tobasco sauce you would share?

The four pumpkin plants have grown to about a foot in height.  I'm carefully weaving them through through the wire column in their basket.

My pumpkin patch--a attempt at vertical gardening

Should I look for cloth to make hammocks for the baby pumpkins?

The porch garden has suffered some from my neglect; I forget that I must water the containers daily instead of sporadically periodically (translation:  whenever I remember to do it).

Today has been surprisingly drizzly and cool, which is a relief from the hot, sunny days.  I spent a little extra time in the garden this morning, enjoying the cool and my new rain boots.  Even though the grass and weeds have overrun the garden plants, the garden is still beautiful.

Are these ground cherries?

Almost as if they know their time is growing short, the "weeds" are putting on quite a show.  The wild carrot and purslane thrive.  The jimson weed adds a lovely lavender blossom to the green.  And then there's the tiny little lantern pods.  My husband likes them best.

So, despite my extended efforts, Mother Earth is taking back, at least for the winter, what is really hers.  The garden's bounty has been a gift throughout the summer, but even Mother deserves a respite.  This mother does, too, and she takes a moment to pray, "Thank you, Lord, for the earth, its generosity and its beauty.  Help me to be a good steward of all that You have given me."

May His bounty and beauty nourish you in body and spirit.

How is your garden?

Nancy