Garden Check-Up

This year in the garden it has been a little bit disappointing.  It didn't help that I got my planting done late either.  Turns out I got everything planted just in time to be babies when the horrible 100+ degree heat wave hit.  Then, to compound the awful heat, a drought has been thrown in to the mix.  Of course, I was watering with the faithful garden hose, but its just not the same and the plants can tell a difference.  Kind of like biscuits from a can.  They're still called biscuits, but they're just not the same as the homemade ones.  Well, maybe that's not a good comparison; comparing biscuits to garden plants, but you get where I was going, right?  

Now that the weather has cooled down a bit, it seems the plants have taken a  breather and are resuming growth as usual.  As you can see, the tomatoes are finally turning red and the grape tomatoes are growing like crazy!  Originally, I had planned on planting a few more tomato plants, but considering the effects of our Summer weather, I'm glad I didn't.  

 Pretty much, the only things growing well right now are the tomatoes and the squash.  The beans were previously massacred by some form of evil beetle and then finished off by a deer. (and I've got pictures of the tracks to prove it!)
















I'm getting ready to plant a few things and see what I can get from a late summer planting.  I'm hoping for some lettuce, spinach and peas, but we'll see how that goes.  Of course, no Fall would be complete without a few root veggies, so, in we'll put some carrots and beets.  Yes, strange as it may sound, my kids love beets.  Only fresh from the garden not store bought or canned. 

Oh, yummy summer squash...how I love to saute' thee and eat thee in salads.  Where was this vegetable when I was growing up??  Wait!  could it be that my Mother doesn't like this darling vegetable and withheld its yummy goodness from me??  Mother? Is this true?  

Alas, I shall not hold it against you since I don't appear to be damaged goods as a result of not eating it as a child.  Now, now, you nay-sayers and siblings, keep your smarty pants comments to yourself in regards to me being damaged.  I shall deal with you later, and in a less public forum.  ...When you least expect it...I will be there...heh, heh, heh...