seed saving

My garden failed this year.

I’d love to blame it on the rain, the lack thereof, the heat, the mosquitoes, the moon, or anything else besides the damn truth; neglect.  My summer days started spinning around June and picked up speed as life progressed.  Yes, there was blossom-end rot to contend with and an exceptional number of bugs, beetles, and critters this year but those things probably could have been dealt with had I chosen to get out there and do it.

I am feeling rejuvenated though and ready to focus on fall planting. Yesterday I pulled all the sad and ugly tomato plants out and prepared for the plethora of greens I hope to harvest all winter long.

What can I make with these besides fried or chutney?!

We put this deck in under the black walnut tree after all the nuts fell last fall…we may be in for a very loud couple of months!

Peppers, flowers, herbs, and a precious few tomatoes are the only things I’m harvesting these days.

I am doing a little seed-saving this year!  In many cases I know that it’s easier/more reliable to just buy new seeds every year but there is something self-sustaining and lovely about saving seeds.

Asparagus beans on the left, yellow watermelon on the right.

Tomorrow is the first time in months that I will be in town for our local market and I am looking forward to supplementing my pathetic crop.   I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a deal on a box of cucs, I want to make some pickles!