Back in May, I posted some pictures of the very beginning of this year's organic container garden. Although it didn't look like much, I love capturing that time in a garden's life, when it's just fresh dirt and tiny seedlings. Then in June, I shared 10 tips for container gardening, along with some pictures of the garden's progress. Things were still so new at that stage, so I thought I'd share one more post today, with some end-of-summer shots of the garden's final phase. Summer weather came late this year, so we actually have a lot more things still ripening and blooming than we normally do in September.
The tomatoes are especially going crazy, which has made for some seriously amazing batches of fresh salsa. The basil is in its final stages, but there's still plenty for a few more rounds of pesto. And the carrots and watermelon still have a little while longer before we'll be able to eat them, which is kind of cool - it almost makes summer last a little longer. The mint and lettuce have both struggled, but I think we'll still be able to enjoy them in the coming weeks.
As for the sunflowers, it's a funny story. They are a yearly ritual for us, and to me, symbolize summer. So when critters kept devouring our seedlings, I was really bummed. After many rounds of replanting, we gave up - until last month, when we decided to try one more time. Well, the critters finally backed off and now we have baby sunflowers just starting to bloom. I'm not sure how far they'll get with the weather due to cool off soon, but it's pretty awesome nonetheless.
Did any of you do gardens this summer? Are you still harvesting, or have things come to an end for the year?
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Your crops look amazing! I would love to do container gardening but don't have the time. Someday! Especially to grow heirloom tomatoes since tomatoes in the grocery store are so mutated these days. Your salsa will be delicious I am sure!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny that mint hasn't done well for you because we can't stop it from growing around here. It seems to spread like crazy. We didn't end up doing a veggie garden this year because we realized we'd need to build some type of enclosure (we have lots of bunnies) and we were too busy doing other things on the house. But some of our herbs did pretty well in pots both in and out of the house so that's good.
ReplyDeleteIn all fairness to our poor mint, we planted it really, really late. The birds kept eating the lettuce that was originally in that container down to nothing. So we planted mint seedlings instead. They are growing slowly though. :)
DeleteEverything looks wonderful--great photos! I don't grow vegetables but I do love taking photos of my flowers over the months, to show their progress. I never get tired of seeing things grow!
ReplyDeleteYour container garden is looking great! Our cherry tomatoes have been growing like crazy all summer long...too many to count! We've plucked the last of our basil, though. I'm sorry to see summer go...
ReplyDeletegorgeous photographs! you have such a green thumb.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous shots! My cherry tomatoes did well this year, too. They were partially shaded on our deck.
ReplyDeleteI had a total crop failure on some of the other veggies that could not withstand the drought and watering restrictions, however.
Homegrown tomatoes are the best! I can almost taste your salsa. =0)
ReplyDeleteThat's funny about your sunflowers. We got our sunflowers for the past two years by accident. I love sunflowers!
~Kim
wow, gorgeous shots. I wish I had a yard to grow veggies in.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have a yard either! That's the great thing about urban gardening in containers. We grow a lot of them on our balcony, and then we have a tiny patch of grass on the ground below it to the right where we have the rest of the containers and two mini raised beds. Even if you just have a small front porch, you can still grow a little veggie or herb garden using containers. :)
DeleteBeautiful images of your garden! We did a couple of herbs in containers this year, and next year I'm hoping to do something bigger like you. I loved your container garden tips post and I kept it bookmarked. =)
ReplyDeleteNice pics of your container garden...glad you have a big crop!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying my best to grow a mini English garden in containers here. This year, i did ok...the queen anne's lace was rather wispy and I only had a handful of sweet peas...but I'm learning!
Such beautiful photos of your garden! This was the year of the cantaloupe for us after several years of little success with them. Now my pantry is stocked with interesting melon jam for the winter. Now it's tomato season and sauce making time! Fall planting has started as well with lots of lettuces and greens starting to make their first appearances. Nothing is better than puttering in the garden.
ReplyDeletesis you garden is beautiful. i cant wait to have my own place and grow some little things, it's sad that summer is coming to an end though :( also. love that you're growing sunflowers..they're so beautiful once they fully grow!
ReplyDeleteWill you come sprinkle some of your fairy dust on my garden? I'm convinced anybody who can get things to grow has magical powers. My plants yielded a handful of peppers and like, three tomatoes. Fail.
ReplyDeleteSo wonderful! Basil doesn't have to be in its final stages: pinch off a decent sized section and place in a water-filled glass in your kitchen window. It will drop roots and thrive there - fresh Basil year-round! :)
ReplyDeleteI thought I had killed my tomato plant when the stem broke, but another took its place and we're finally starting to get ripe tomatoes. You're right about the late summer weather, so I'm hoping the tomatoes stick around for a while!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures of your garden
ReplyDeleteIt looks so delicious! I can imagine the way everything smells. For some reason, I really like the way tomatoes smell, probably because it is such a distinct scent.
ReplyDeletemelissa, your garden turned out great! i remember when you first showed it to us. i bet that homemade salsa is dynamite, and the mint heavenly. :)
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