Can you believe it’s the middle of September already? The mornings are chilly and the daylight hours are getting shorter and yesterday I even put on a flannel shirt. 🙂 I love this time of year!
It’s been a pretty productive year in the garden both project and harvest wise, but I’m looking forward to packing up all my tools here in a few more weeks and call it good.
Yesterday I harvested zucchinis, peppers, a cucumber and a few onions.
And we’re still getting a few tomatoes as well. The cherry tomatoes though have reached their peek, but the Ace tomatoes are still going strong. I think I’ll make some sheet pan nachos today for lunch so I can use a few of them.
I also picked my first cabbage last night. I’m going to see if I can get the HH to make some fried cabbage with bacon on his griddle for us this weekend.
The chipmunks found and nibbled away at two of our smaller butternuts but luckily we haven’t had anything bother the larger ones {or any of the other winter squash in the garden} so it looks like we’ll have a decent amount to enjoy this winter.
And remember the picture of my sweet little sugar pie pumpkin growing on the picket fence I shared a few weeks ago? Well it has finally turned a nice deep orange color so I might go out and harvest it today.
I think we might have two more sugar pie pumpkins to harvest if the temps don’t dip down too low for another few weeks. I would have had more, but the shasta daisies I planted along the picket fence sort of choked everything else out so I didn’t get as many as I had hoped.
And here’s a picture of our lasagna garden. 🙂 What started as a little 10′ x 11′ experiment has grown to about 4 times it’s original size. I should really go out there with some stakes and string and a little more cardboard and even the whole thing out.
You don’t notice it’s wonky shape when you’re standing out there, but whoa Nellie, when you see it from above it looks pretty funny.
Currently I have woodchips, seaweed, grass, kitchen scraps and a little shredded paper in there. I figure I have about another month to keep building up the garden before the ground freezes and everything goes to sleep for the winter.
I counted 4 {or was it 5?} spaghetti squash out there.
And two little delicata winter squash. They’re still pretty small, but hopefully they’ll develop in time.
Fall, it’s nearly here, and I am THRILLED. It always feels like we’re coming down the home stretch and I totally love this time of year. 🙂
Wishing you the best of Fridays,
~Mavis
J in OH says
Wow – you and the HH have accomplished so much already this year and it’s not over yet! You are so inspiring and do such a great job of explaining and sharing how you go about various projects/gardening around your property and home. Thank you for all you do!
Angie says
Mavis can you tell me if you put cages around your butternut squash and pumpkins? I am growing them for the first time this year and am looking for tips. If you do use cages are they just the standard tomato cages? Also have you had any experience with growing peas…do you stake or cage those as well?? Appreciate any wisdom you can share 🙂
Mavis Butterfield says
I did not put cages around the butternut squash {or any of them}. I planted them along the fence and thy grabbed on to the peony cages. For peas I use a trellis that is about 5 feet tall.
suzanne says
Tomato vinaigrette is a delicious way to use a tomato. 1 or 2 toms blended with about 3/4 cup oil and 1/4 cup of your fave vinegar. Minced onion or garlic. Salt, pepper and your favorite herb or herb blend.
Mel says
I agree! I use something similar as the dressing for pizza pasta salad.
Annette says
The hydrangeas are beautiful. Do you have any growing tips for them?
Nancy D says
So much accomplished in such a short time at your forever home! Have you considered replicating the awesome chicken home and run you had two homes ago? What a masterpiece that was!
Kathy says
Mavis, we’re headed to Maine in a few weeks. We’re staying in Brunswick but traveling up to Bar Harbor. Any suggestions for some sightseeing or like you I love the general stores?
Mavis Butterfield says
Hi Kathy, I’m not sure what route you are taking but here are some links to my favorite spots in Maine: https://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/category/save-the-bakeries/
If you’ll be near Brooksville, Maine on a Saturday morning I high suggest Tinder Hearth Bakery. Dot’s cafe/bakery in Lincolnville is always good too and be sure and stop at Lincolnville Center General Store if you’re in the area. Pemaquid Lighthouse in Bristol, Maine is fantastic.
Morse’s Sauerkraut in Waldoboro is fun too.
Ashley Bananas says
It all looks like a New England fairy tale!
Andrea says
Your Garden is beautiful! You did such a nice job. I wish I had one of those tomatoes right now! Thanks for sharing. We have a seasonal cottage up in Belgrade Lakes. Summer seems like such a short season, but I do agree, nothing beats Fall in New England.