The drought continues. We have only had one inch of rain in three months. The vegetables stay on the verge of wilting even though we spend almost one to two hours every day watering. The weatherman has predicted rain once or twice a week all summer so we kept watering thinking the dry spell would end. It is in the forecast again for tomorrow. Should we believe him?
The fact that there is anything left in the garden shows how great our well is and how much we have watered.
One row at a time is being emptied, the soil prepared, and then winter seeds planted. So far we have put out carrots, beets, kale, lettuce, collards, cabbages, and onions. When space is available additional onions, garlic, spinach, radishes, and bok choy will go out.
Because of the time involved watering, only small batches are picked. There has not been enough energy to photograph large amounts as in past years. This is how my kitchen floor always looks. I have adapted by canning, freezing, dehydrating, and pickling daily in small batches.
I know it looks pitiful but this row has been a success. The tomatoes on the fence were from suckers from spring tomatoes just shoved in the damp soil to root (there was abundant rain in the spring). Planted underneath are the late sweet potatoes.
The early tomatoes have finished and died but the suckers are maturing now. They are for fresh eating and will be brought inside to ripen before the first hard frost arrives. We have always run out of tomatoes at the end of summer but this solved that problem.
Now for the big news. I am drowning in yellow squash! It's fantastic! The mesh nets worked to deter the squash vine borers. When the squash underneath the net bloomed, the net was moved to a newly planted row. I kept planting rows even though it was getting extremely late in the season. In spite of having five 36 degree nights, the youngest have rebounded are still going strong. The large older plants seemed stunned by the cold, stopped blooming, and have been removed. We have seventy degree days and no hard frosts in the forecast for at least ten more days!
Even though it has been a rough summer and fall, there has been more than enough food grown to feed all of us through the winter but we question whether it has been worth the work. Right now we are exhausted and it doesn't feel worthwhile. However, when we share a delicious meal that can't be bought with others that are in need - we have no doubts of the value.
