Hello Sunday. The last two days here in the Pacific Northwest have been an absolute dream. It practically rained all day on Friday, and yesterday it was windy and overcast all morning. Fall is in the air people. It’s AWESOME.
See the black lantern sitting next to the gate? Well to the left of the lantern are 9 blueberry bushes I planted earlier this spring. I am having a hard time deciding if I should move them to the back yard and plant some sort of ornamental tree in their place.
I like the idea of an edible landscape though {I have oregano growing around the base of the tree in the left of this picture} I’m just not sure if a blueberry hedge in the front yard is a wise idea. What do you think? We don’t have a critter problem {well there’s bunnies, but they have not bothered the berry bushes} so deer are not a problem.
Behind the garden gate the side vegetable garden {which is heavily shaded} is doing well. We harvested a cabbage and some Swiss chard this week and I am starting to see beet seedlings pop through the soil.
Strawberries are on the run. 
And the bean teepees are looking marvelous. The plants greened right up after I added a wee bit of Tagro to the pots. 
Tomatoes gone wild. Next year I’ll add a trellis.
Waiting for each and every tomato to turn red is torture.
The nasturtium leaves are bigger than my hands. 
And Lemon, the Meyer lemon tree is BEAUTIFUL. I want to kiss her. 
Kale for Lucy. 
Creeping potatoes. I planted a late crop of potatoes over by the squash patch about a month ago. I think I’ll harvest these beauties in mid-september and the others just before the first frost. 
We currently have 3 acorn squash growing. Not a huge number, but still, it’s exciting.
Beet and carrot seedlings growing in the garden boxes. After I pull up the last of the cucumber vines I’ll plant a few more rows for a winter harvest.
It doesn’t have to be big to be beautiful. In fact I am loving my “mini garden” here in high maintenance suburbia these days. It’s not too big that I feel all my waking hours need to be spent outside tending to raising vegetables. For the first time in about 9 years I am really starting to feel a nice balance between gardening, work and play. It’s a little weird, this feeling, but I am getting used to it.
How about YOU? How is your garden doing these days?
~Mavis
This years garden is being sponsored by the awesome folks at Botanical Interests Seed Company. You can check out their website HERE, order their new 2015 Garden Seed Catalog, or see the seeds I’ll be growing in my garden this year HERE.
Up for a tour? Read about our behind the scenes tour of Botanical Interests Seed Company.
Shawna says
I just picked our first red tomato yesterday! We’re getting to major harvesting time soon here in WNY!
Teresa says
Hi Mavis,
Do you have any pedestrians that might help themselves to those blueberries? Something to think about anyway. I put in 5 new blueberries in April and they look terrible. The leaves are crispy and brown. I dug the holes 2X’s as wide as the pot and added compost. I’m outside Portland and we’ve had nothing but HOT weather so I was really diligent about keeping them watered. I read I may have drowned them in the process. Ever heard of that? When do I say enough and pull them? Do you have any insights on growing blueberry plants? I’m sad because the plants were not cheap, need to learn what to different next time. BTW, we got none of your rain!
Teri says
Your garden and yard are beautiful. I think a tree would look nicer than the blueberry bushes in that spot.
Mrs. LC@LooseChangeLiving says
There is something to be said for the right garden/life balance. We had a huge garden for years and now have a smaller all raised bed garden which we absolutely love. Less weeding and watering and more harvest out of a smaller space. It’s wonderful!!
Mavis says
I agree with the right garden/life balance 100%!
Susan says
I love having Nasturtiums in my garden! We eat the flowers in salad (peppery, delicious, and eye-appealing)
Use the leaves to make pesto. It is really good on pasta!! I freeze the pesto in ice cube trays and use it as needed. A little goes a long way!!
Nasturtium Pesto
2 Tablespoons pine nuts (buy them at Winco. Even though the per pound looks expensive- not so bad buying a few tablespoons)
2 cups packed nasturtium leaves
1 green onion- ends trimmed, sliced (I used chives- that’s what I had)
1/2 cup shredded pecorino cheese
7 Tablespoons olive oil
Salt (optional)
In a small skillet over medium heat, toast the pine nuts until golden brown- 2-3 minutes.
Using a food processor, grind the nuts fine. Add nasturtiums, green onion, and cheese. Process until it is smooth and thick like a paste.
While the machine is running, add olive oil and process until well mixed. Taste and season with salt.
This is soooo good!!
Mavis says
I might just have to try that recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Cheri says
How do you get the Meyers Lemons tree to grow. I only have 5 lemons on it and the one I did get was dry.
Mavis says
Here are some tips I use: Do not fertilize until new growth appears. After, fertilize once per month between February and October.
Choose a fertilizer that is specifically suited for citrus trees. Use a fertilizer that is higher in Nitrogen, such as a 2-1-1 ratio. Follow instructions carefully on the packaging.
Do not mulch your citrus trees. This will cause mold to form on the trunk of the tree.
Give your tree frequent “deep” watering for at least the first year – 1/4 – 1/2 gallon every 5-7 days.
Water at ground level. Make sure you check the wetness of the soil at root level before watering.
Do not over-water. Allow the first two to three inches of topsoil to dry out between watering times. Check it with your finger. If it’s still wet, don’t water.
Hope that helps!
Erin M says
Hi Mavis…fellow Lemon Tree Lover Erin here. Lemon the Meyer Lemon looks amazing. Aren’t they the most satisfying trees to grow. I was going to put in a greenhouse and put them in ground. Then I found the area is full of bindweed. So they are still in pots. Shading the pots has really helped this year. Happy gardening!!!
Gen says
hey Mavis! I can’t seem to find bean tepees anywhere. What kind do you use? Where did you get them? Do they have a special name?
Dhavishta says
Hello. I want to ask about your creeping potatoes. what kind of potato is this and how is it grown?
Farah says
Hello Mavis, I like your garden path, but the photo isn’t large enough for me to tell with what materials it was constructed. Could you kindly share the description? Thanks!
Mavis Butterfield says
Pea gravel. 🙂