Front Garden Update- August

     Garden update time! Today I am going to talk about the front garden bed. If you have read previous blog posts then you might recall that little E really enjoyed planting.... especially beans. It turned out she really liked planting squash too. Unfortunately powdery mildew has become bff's with the squash as well. The potatoes have been harvested and we have planting a few new plants as well. So a lot has changed since those early planting days. 

     First up is the little flower bed. The mint was moved to a bigger pot and a new location (don't worry you will see it in a future post). Then we added a few more flowers to fill it in a bit better. The small pot of beans are still hanging in there, but I think they will remain more on the ornamental side. That is ok because I am just thankful that they are still alive. A mystery squash plant has also sprawled its way into this area as well. I am not sure what kind it is, but I know it isn't a yellow squash, zucchini, or patty pan because the one squash it is growing looks nothing like those. My best guess is Table Queen.

     Next up are the original three tomato plants. The Red Million have slowed down but are still producing well. Mr. Stripey has some nice sized tomatoes waiting to ripen as do the Pink Brandywine. That is ok with me since there was a time we couldn't keep up, so a little breather is nice. It has been raining a lot so I believe that once it is sunny again we will get another stretch where we will be harvesting like mad again. 

     Growing amongst the tomatoes are several friends. The unknown squash is growing behind it and a cucumber vine is making its way in. Plus the ever present beans. 

     Next up are the strawberries, which are pretty much done producing. I suppose next year I need to remember to get a few plants that produce longer. Behind them is empty for now, but will be home to something soon. We have started some transplants for the fall garden and are leaving that space alone for now. Near the tomato plants and amongst the strawberries are the cucumber plant, the start of the squash plant, and more beans.

     Then we have a bit of a change. For most of spring and summer it was home to two rather large squash plants. They just couldn't shake the powdery mildew and I ended up pulling them up all together. I had ordered a smart pot big garden bed mini (in purple!) for little E. She was so excited we had to plant a little right away. So we went and picked up a few plants (which turned into twice as many because it was buy one get one free). She wanted one of the peppers and then proceeded to plant some seeds for the fall. I think she planted a mix of beets, lettuce, and brassicas. We shall see when it all pops up better. In front of that is a thyme plant and a cilantro plant.

     Then we have the area where we had the potato plants (that gave up true potato seeds and those beautiful purple potatoes). Now it is home to eight basil plants. It was a good deal because I went to just get one container and figured it would have a cpuple, but walked out with two container that ended up having four each!! I hope I get enough for pesto making in the future. 

     Last up is the flower patch/ fairy garden. I know it does t look like much, but it looks a lot better than it did right after we harvested the potatoes. They had shaded out most of the flowers and it just looked terrible. Then little E came back from mammaws with a fairy garden kit so we stuck that and a few odds and ends she thought were special and awesome. It still didn't look quite right so we picked up a few more flowers to fill in the other side a bit. She is happy with it so I am happy as well.

       Thanks for joining is on our update- we hope you enjoyed it and will join us on the upcoming side and back garden updates. We will begin talking about fall gardening soon as well. What has changed in your garden  now that the season is winding down? Drop us a comment and let us know! 

             Happy gardening everyone!