October 1, 2011 - I Did It!



I didn't think I was going to hit 500 pounds of harvest this year, but I did it! That's only about half of what I get in a normal year, but this has not been a normal year for gardening, that's for sure. Here is what put me over the top today, a bit early for Harvest Monday............


Today I pulled out all the bush and pole beans. I had wanted to wait on the bush beans, hoping I could beat last year's yield, and today they did just that. Just barely. So garden cleanup has really begun in earnest. The non-yielding zucchini was uprooted (what a disappointment that was this year), three more tomato plants are gone, and one bed of marigolds is no more. The old tomato fortress bed has been cleaned out and readied for next year's planting. I'll leave the alyssum to reseed, and probably do the same with the nasturtiums. Marigolds will probably pop up like weeds next year, as they have already dropped a lot of seeds.

I am hoping to have the entire garden cleaned up and put to bed for the winter by a week from tomorrow, as I'll be extra busy the following week, packing for the trip to Arizona.

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27 comments:

  1. Congratulations!!!!! My harvest was way down this year, too. Not one winter squash! I had to buy my Sweet Dumplings and Delicata at the Farmers Market! I'll be pulling out my Summer garden next weekend. We're expecting rain this week. Most of the Winter garden has been planted...now I just sit back and wait.

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  2. Yeah Granny! I see you got out the party pail!

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  3. Congratulations! Those veggies look good, especially for this late in the season. I need to tear down tomato plants. They're still producing and look pretty and perfect from the house but are blemished up close. I never knew ants eat tomatoes.

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  4. Lynda, My squash and cucumbers were the biggest disappointments this year. I'm not planning on a winter garden in AZ...but I'll probably get itchy to dig and change my mind.

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    Robin, it's my biggest little picking pail! They're such a handy size.

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    Dianefaith, I think ants eat about anything. They sure did eat my radishes last spring, and they seem to be in the strawberries now.

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  5. 500 lbs is still a good amount of harvest if you ask me. Looks like everyone is starting to wind down for the winter.

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  6. So glad you made it! A week from tomorrow? Amazing how time flies. Pack those decks of cards!

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  7. Kris, I'm ready for a rest, how about you?

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    Ribbit, two weeks from tomorrow we'll be on the road. I'm glad you reminded me, I forgot my cards last year!

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  8. Congrats on breaking the 500 lb mark. I can't believe you're already getting ready to leave in a couple of weeks. Time flies!
    Are you guys getting cold weather there in WA yet?

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  9. Congratulations on hitting 500 pounds. You certainly had a challenging garden season with cold and damp weather. Still, 500 pounds is awesome!

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  10. Well done! 500 lbs is excellent in any respect, Money saved, smaller carbon footprint, delicious food, exercise, and example. Hooray for you!

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  11. Congrats on 500 lbs, it's been a strange weather year so you did very well! I'm not going to make it, I'm thinking more like 300 here LOL...

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  12. Congrats on hitting 500! That's a lot of food. Already missing your posts. I remember last winter it was very hit or miss for you and internet access.

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  13. 500 lbs still seems like a lot of produce even if it is much less than usual. I started cleaning up my garden today. Not a lot, but at least I got out into the garden for a short time.

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  14. Sue, we've been in the mid-70s to low 80s, but it's supposed to drop into the mid to low 60s by Wednesday. We usually get a killing freeze between Oct. 10 and 15, then it turns nice and warm for another month.

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    Thanks, Rachel. I think I'll set my goals lower for next year, because 500 pounds was certainly enough for the two of us!

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    Thank you, David. I'd say the savings in food costs more than offset the price of another freezer!

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    Erin, I think your weather battles were far worse than mine this year. I didn't have to battle torrential rains and hurricanes! Not to mention the mega high temperatures.

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    Thanks, Alison. I expect the same-old-same-old internet problems this year :-(

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    Thank you, Mrs. P.!

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  15. Daphne, I'm glad to hear you are getting out! I've worried about you lately, I hope everything clears up this winter and you're healthy and ready for gardening next spring.

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  16. Well done 'quarter-ton'. ;) Safe travels.

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  17. Kelly, I don't weigh nearly that much! Oh, you meant the garden? LOL, thanks.

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  18. Whoot! Awesome job Granny! I just know you'll end up in the dirt in AZ, too!

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  19. While not your personal best, 500 lbs or more of production is still very significant. Our garden yeild is down by almost a half from our better years too - largely because the potato crop was down, the winter squash being non existent, and the zucchini and cucumbers producing very little. I will get some pumpkins I think, but not very many in comparison to better years. Tomatoes are always abysmal here - so nothing new. :D

    I always feel blue when you start packing up and heading south. It would be easier if you had a better internet connection.

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  20. I had a problem with my zucchini this year, too. Mine just never would take off. Mine was a black beauty, too. Your peppers look so pretty! Wow, what an amazing crop of food!! :-) robbie

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  21. Our beans are really taking off now, thanks to you! I don't know what to think about you going to Arizona. Surely you'll stay connected...

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  22. 500 pounds??? WOW! That's inspirational. I hope this time next year, I can say the same on my blog, ha. I love blogs like yours (and the others I follow) because they inspire me to keep going and build something great like you (and the others) have. Thanks!! Keep up the good work...

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  23. Barbie, you know me well ;-)

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    Jody, I try. There's not much to blog about when we're there, but when I can get an internet connection (that's always iffy) I do let everyone know I'm still alive and kickin'!

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    1st Man, I just peeked at your blog, and it has me all excited! If there's anything I love more than gardening, it's home renovations! I have a feeling I'm going to love watching you build a great little farm.

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  24. Kitsap, yep...I didn't plant the potatoes (and regretted it), the squash and cucumbers were complete busts. Some other crops actually produced better, and I'll do an end of season post with the final tally.

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    Robbie, last year I had one zucchini plant that produced over 40 pounds. This year I think I got four total zucchinis!

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  25. 500 pounds... only half of your usual yield?!

    You are a gardening superwoman.

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