Giving Thanks

For this totally awesome patch of lettuce, growing happily undercover in the high tunnel in late November.

(And thanks for the beets, carrots, onions, and arugula too.)

While I Was Gone

Things grew!

We have beets and carrots and onions making a strong appearance. Even some lettuce. Cabbage failed to appear despite two plantings. Spinach showed up and then mysteriously bit the dust.

So yeah, about my month long absence.... I guess "while I was gone" isn't quite accurate. More like "How I took a tiny break from the garden and that snowballed into a solid month of avoidance during which time Bill from the Extension diligently watered and even planted more greens and I'm a rotten leaker."

Yeah, guilt. I'm good at that. Dropping the ball? Yup, sadly sometimes I do that too.

Extra Cover

Wow, this picture looks kinda spooky. No these aren't garden specters. You're looking at floating row covers on our remaining tomatoes and the new beds of greens and root veggies.

Cold temperatures at night mean a little extra insulation is in order.

Voles!

There are a few tomato plants left in the high tunnel. And those poor plants have been feeding the voles. Oooo, those are beastly creatures.

Beastly vegetarian creatures no less. And clearly, their mothers never taught them to finish their plates. It's just a little snack from here, and another from over there.....

The problem we are up against is that these rotten animals may decide to winter in the high tunnel. And that will pose big, big problems for our fledgling greens this fall and next spring.

Feeling a bit like Mr. McGregor, only my pests aren't dressed in cute little blue jackets. Beatrix Potter anyone?

Green Tomatoes

Most of the tomato plants have been pulled and are ripening inside the Extension offices. I hate tomatoes that ripen indoors. Oh, wait, it's not good to hate. I really, really, really don't prefer tomatoes that ripen indoors. Sooo not the same.

Bill says they beat the rubber tomatoes available in the supermarket come February, but honestly, truly, I beg to differ. The don't stay firm. It's like they go from green straight to mushy.

Maybe it's all in my head. Who wants to set up a blind taste test for me to see if I can spot the vine ripened fruit? And by vine ripened, I mean that vine should still be attached to roots, in the ground. Sigh.

Tomato season is just too dang short!

Sides Down

As you can see the sides are back down on the high tunnel. Kinda shivery and gray outside, but warm and toasty on the inside.

Thinking about getting me a little bistro patio for the inside. Would be a stellar place to enjoy a coffee and a paper this fall.

Banana Bread

To my husband, who didn't eat a single slice of that AWESOME banana bread I made with whole wheat flour, local raw honey, and dried organic cherries:

Sometimes I just don't get you.