Harvested the first two potato plants. The Yukon Gold beside the wall, planted in straw, were a snap to harvest. Just move the straw and literally lift the potatoes out of the ground. The Norland reds are more mixed in size and overall much smaller. They were in the middle bed under the trellis, with straw and compost. The potatoes in the middle bed near the street are not formed at all. Nice looking plants mind you.

Planted seed tape of carrots today. Should be interesting. The beans and arugula that went in last week before the rain are coming up nicely.

Today we cook from the garden! Yum

We pulled the garlic yesterday! It was fabulous. Dave’s were all larger. Very well formed and ready to pick. His could have gone another week, but one cloves was slightly split. Ken’s garlic did really well. It is clear that the Nova Scotia garlic does not do well here. We also pulled the shallots. Very small overall. They got smothered by the potato vines. The garlic roots extended about six inches. A few earth worms. The soil is really taking great shape and digging in the wood mulch I added will really make a difference.

Feels like thunder and lighting moving in, that pre-storm breeze. Love it.

Had a potato today. It was a left over from last year (red norland). Tasty, but it is really the crunch. Distinct, not apple like at all. A unique crispness.

Oh, the rose of Sharon is spectacular. That was good thinking.

The rain is just starting.

One. Count ’em! One apple this year and today; she’s gone! Stolen by some evil squirrel I imagine. How can this be? Regular picking of tomatoes and cucumbers. Crocosmia have started to bloom and the tobacco is forming seed pods. Cone flowers and black eyed Susan’s are in bloom. Asparagus is sending up baby shoots. Had one. Some good. Blueberries finished as are the peas. Hope to pull the garlic tomorrow. Finally cooler weather. Figs! Omg the figs are really pushing out fruit. They have grown at least two, if not three feet, this year. Removing every second fruit pod.

At last. I built a composter. Hate to say I’ve had the cedar around for maybe a decade. Love it has the easy access front panel. 4 x 3 or there abouts.

Artichokes are starting to blossom. Had our first tomato!

Ken’s making pesto.

Pulled out the first good patch of peas to give room to the potatoes and cucumbers. Pulled some of the garlic that was left in last year. Tiny but should be tasty. Also pulled a left over potato, wide range of sizes. The shallots are not so big and the peppers are starting to come in in full force.

Everything is starting to come in. Cukes, tomatoes, looking good, even one beautiful apple eight feet in the air.

The cacti bloomed last night. It has been hot and dry. Have to water daily. Cucumbers are coming in daily. The peas are starting to fade. A great vacation day!

Started planting the upper deck. 5 bags of soil, 2 bags of cow manure and a half bag topsoil. Just enough for four pots. Need more soil and have to dig out some more pots