Slowly coming to an end

As the end of the 2009 garden is slowly approaching, subtle harvests remain consistent. I'm to the point that any harvest is a good one! At least 3 more weeks are available for it to produce, but anything past that is borrowed time. Some non-producing plants have already been pulled - mainly melons, pumpkins, and a few squash, but most things are still trekking right along. Below are some photos of current plant growth, which are far-removed from their glory days.

Photo below - The paste tomatoes have very lush growth at the top, but the inevitable brown trail of death is slowly making it's way upward. Several green tomatoes are present, but who knows if they will reach maturity or not? I hope so, because that will make more sauce.

Photo below - The large tomato varieties are in the same condition, but actually at a more accelerated rate. Corn will likely take their place next year, as crop rotation is something that is recommended for optimal garden success. 60 corn stalks in these four earthtainers would do fabulous, I bet....

Photo below - The cucumber planting by the woods has plenty of foliage now, but the rain has stressed the plants - as can be seen by the yellowing leaves. A couple of cucumbers have been picked from them, though. More should develop before first frost.....

Photo below - the melon/pumpkin box looks pretty naked now! All that remains is one little watermelon, and a single pumpkin (both of which are ripening on the ground). I'm sure that tomatoes would do quite well against those trellises, and i'll probably locate next year's slicing tomatoes right there. Pssst....I may even build another box underneath the trellis this winter!

Photo below - Now....the honeydew melons in the main box are still doing pretty good! With the recent abundance of rainfall, some sunshine should make this little fella grow up to be pretty big. The forecast for next week is full of sunny days. Yay!

Photo below - here's a bigger one, which was supported already with knee highs. There's 5 total on this trellis, as all of the smaller ones were removed from the vines a couple days ago.

Also, most of the newly developing tomatoes will be pulled this weekend, in hopes of helping the largest ones reach maturity. With nightly temps in the 40's/50's, they just don't want to grow. Since no more okra is needed in our family, i'll go ahead and let the pods of the burgundy variety grow large too, so that seed can be saved from them. Besides, the stinkbugs are really inflicting alot of damage on them.

The cowpeas are done, too - and that area will be cleaned up in a few weeks.

The lettuce is doing excellent in the deck rail planters, and a second harvest will come from it today. Carrots aren't doing so well, but there's still lots of time left.

Oh! I wanted to mention that i'll be sowing onion seeds in October, which will be left to overwinter in the garden. It's supposed to work, so I just have to try it!

With a forecast of 90% chance of rain today, I'll have to remain indoors (which drives me absolutely insane). It's coming a flood right now....Dangit......

Take care, and happy gardening!

EG