Last week I told you how I protect my baby sunflowers from the rabbits, and this week I am thrilled to be able to show you the first sunflower to bloom. It takes a while for the seeds to develop and give the center the black appearance that we associate with sunflowers. The seeds are edible, but I save the flower heads and bring them out on a snowy days when the birds are struggling to find food. Then I complain bitterly about those same birds eating flower and vegetable seeds from my garden in the spring.
The black berries are so close to being perfectly ripe, I can taste them. I wanted to show you some of our strange strawberries. There are three normal strawberries on the bottom of the picture and several “mutant” strawberries on top. The “mutants” do not taste any different.
The yellow peppers are finally starting to grow. These store bought peppers were purchased specifically for my husband. Both bushes are covered in fruit, so he is going to have a hard time fulfilling his promise to eat what ever they produce.
The squash keep producing at a prodigious rate! If you are overwhelmed with summer squash I have compiled a list of recipes that might help you out. One of my pumpkins is starting to turn orange. I was worried because they were growing bigger than I wanted. I prefer smaller pumpkins for baking. I am hoping the other pumpkins follow suit, or they will only be good for carving
The gladiolus have just started to bloom, and I am already thinking about where I will plant them next year. As I have mentioned, ad nauseum, It gets rather cold here in the winter, so some of the bulbs have to spend the winter in the garage in a bucket of sand. Since I have to replant them anyway, I think I will place them along the white picket fence next spring, I think they will look less lonely grouped with the holly hocks.
Have you started planning next year’s garden already? What are you planning on adding? What are you moving? Is there a plant that you have vowed to never grow again?
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Alea says
Amanda, Those berries are from first year plants. I buy strawberry plants (not roots) in the fall when they are marked down. I plant them in the fall to let their roots start to develop. In the spring they take off and produce like they are older plants (which technically they are).
The yellow peppers are Banana Peppers and Sweet Gypsy Peppers.
Amanda says
Those strawberries (even the mutant ones) look great. I have always been told you won't get fruit the first year so I have never planted them…is that true? What kind of peppers are those? I am always looking for new types of peppers to try and plant.
Lisa says
I just wanted to say that I love your garden and your blog:D I'm learning a lot. This is our first year in Northern NV (Minden) and I'm hoping that my garden will look as good as yours next year. Thank you for having such a great blog:D:D
Lisa
lisaandbaby2003.blogspot.com
EbonyRenee says
All of the fruit looks great! I went strawberry picking not too long ago, and must admit that fresh strawberries taste much better than any I've bought in a store (atleast in the Northern Virginia/DC area). They tend to be a little smaller, and not quite as 'perfect', but the tast is unmeasurable.
EbonyRenee
Project Hot Mommy
http://www.phmommy.blogspot.com
Shana says
everything looks great!!! Don't forget to turn your pumpkins a little so they don't get a flat spot, i mean unless you want a flat spot…lol. we have to anyway.
The Thrifty Countrywoman says
My sunflowers are just beginning to bloom too! The one thing I won't be growing next year is broccoli raab. I thought it would be ideal because we don't care for the stalks, but it was just a major disappointment in every way.