Monday, October 1, 2012

End of the summer vegetable garden

Today's harvest:
IMG_5680
The beginnings of fall are in the air (cool mornings, rain, less reliance on A/C throughout the day). And I love the fall vegetable garden: all that chard and broccoli and herbs. But just when I'm planning to put in the cool weather veggies, the eggplant and okra are producing better than ever due to rain and sun and milder temps. Vegetable bed space is at a premium, though, and their days are numbered...

Friday's harvest included the biggest Japanese eggplant I've ever seen. IMG_5676
I pulled up the light pink zinnias today (below is a before shot from 2 weeks ago) and tried to corral & stake the others (can't give up my weekly bouquets quite yet). One of the stems I pulled up was over 6 feet tall; it would get too tall, flop over, change direction of growth, flop over again and repeat. Next year I will have a strategy to keep giant zinnias pointed upward and stable. IMG_5630
Stopped by Barton Springs Nursery today, and the almond verbena was in full bloom and smelled amazing. Lots of good things in stock, too. IMG_1551

6 comments:

katina said...

I can't decide if I should use the duranta I have on hand (albeit in a 4" pot) in my plans or if I should get an almond verbena instead...I guess I should probably research them and see which fits better for the conditions.

Amy Farrier said...

The duranta's blooms and berries have got such lovely color. White's a little less interesting, but that scent makes me want to stake out the square footage an almond verbena needs! Good luck deciding.

Cat said...

I'm curious what you'll design to keep your zinnias upright. Love the shot of the almond verbena...I have a small one. It's hard to believe it will be that big! The few blooms mine has scent the yard so nicely...can't wait for that kind of display. I love the first shot of your zinnias too. The bouquet is charming.

Amy Farrier said...

I looked at some pretty metal half-round supports for the zinnias, but I'll probably end up MacGyvering something together. And I'm playing a similar waiting game to you on my kidneywood tree; sweet-scented white blooms, but, otherwise, a slow-growing not impressive specimen. One day...

Anonymous said...

I regret having pulled my peppers too soon and I wish, after seeing your beautiful zinnias that I had thought to plant a few. Ah, well...there's always next summer. I haven't been to Barton Springs Nursery in so long, thank you for reminding me about it. I'll have to stop by for a visit and to see the almond verbena.

Amy Farrier said...

I tell myself there's always next year a lot!