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Harvest Time

Peruvian Lily (Alstroemeria)

My attempt at a no-till garden has been somewhat successful. Last year I dumped a ridiculous amount of hay on the garden to suppress the weeds. The weeds couldn’t more pleased.

I pose with a truckload of hay for my garden
I pose with a truckload of hay for my garden

Seeds from an errant pumpkin left on a hay bale took root and engulfed the garden an most of the yard.

Tomatoes

I grew six varieties of tomatoes this year. Of the two cherry varieties, I preferred the taste of the Favorita over the Sungold. I prefer buying plants from Amazing Flower Farm due to the fact that I get a variety of types instead of a single packet.

Mix of Favorita and Sungold cherry tomatoes
Mix of Favorita (red) and Sungold (orange) cherry tomatoes

Besides being tasty the Favorita is prolific.

Favorita red cherry tomatoes
Favorita red cherry tomatoes

Additionally I grew a large beefsteak tomato for burger and sandwiches. The variety is “Big Beef”. A few of these have ripened although it won’t be long before the cool weather arrives.

Big Beef tomatoes
Big Beef tomatoes which may ripen before the frost

By way of contrast, I grew one truly ugly (but tasty) tomato called Pink Berkley Tie Dye. It is misshapen, splits and had weird green striations. However it was one of the earlier ripening varieties.

Berkely Tie Dye Tomatoes
Berkely Tie Dye Tomatoes

Too Much!

In addition to the tomatoes, I grew three zucchini plants. In other words, I grew two more than I needed. These things are ridiculous and explode in size if you miss picking them.

Overwhelmed with Zucchini
Overwhelmed with Zucchini

Critters

Finally I need to speak of my insect guests, the good and the bad. I have quite a few volunteer Butterfly Weed plants Asclepias tuberosa. The plants were covered with the good (Monarch Butterfly caterpillars) and the bad (aphids).

Monarch caterpillar on a Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Monarch caterpillar on a Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) with aphids
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) with aphids

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