Return of the errant gardener

Sometimes life is better lived away from a computer. Okay...all of the time. The garden has been in a state of semi-neglect, but in between music festivals and time on the river, somehow everything stayed alive. (p.s. thanks daughter & hubby for helping with watering duties!)

Here's what's been going on in the garden:

Garlic curls (scapes) were harvested - half of them about 3 weeks ago and the other half about 2 weeks ago. I leave some on the plant longer, as this makes them spicier. I made several containers of pesto to freeze and the rest are in the fridge waiting for inspiration.

We've had at least half a dozen dinners' worth of chard. So good in the steamer!!

Raspberries are going absolutely nuts. I am getting about a pint per day. Hard to believe they were started from my neighbor's donations 2 years ago this fall.

Love these lilies! This was the first bed I planted when I bought my house (thanks to a kind donation of starts from one of my student's parents). They only started blooming last year, 6 years after planting.

The wildflower bed is only a year old but is doing well back in the south of the lot where no sprinklers reach. It was beautiful a few weeks ago, but is now going to seed.

And last but not least...the tomatoes. Anyone who has followed the tomato saga knows that this year's crop is making me so happy! Having figured out last summer that they just needed to be sprayed with calcium chloride once a week*, my blossom rot woes are over. 

*(best sprayed at dusk so the calcium chloride doesn't burn the leaves)

I also have been bringing them into the garage nightly now instead of only when it gets below 45 degrees. I have read that this increases their sweetness, and my taste tests say this may be true!

and I wanted to include this picture with our raft and duckies...some of the reasons for my garden neglect. Who says you can't have it all? :)

Until next time, happy gardening!