Weirdly Warm Weather

This week it has been up in the 50's during the day, with lots of blustery wind and rain, then usually freezing again at night. Very strange, especially for January.

A Visit from Jack Frost

We haven't had snow since Thanksgiving, but this frost on everything is just gorgeous.

Garden Evaluation: Everything Else!

Bottom Terrace: Peppers, Cucumbers, Beans, Carrots,

                         Sunflowers, Oregano

 

 

Peppers: Left and middle of bottom terrace

Planted: June 18 

Variety: 'Mohawk' and 'Italian Yellow Bell'

Yield: More than expected, although none changed color from green

 

Pests, problems, diseases: The biggest problem was the late planting date and our cool, wet spring/early summer. The plants themselves didn't grow very much, and by the time they started putting on peppers it was too late for them to ripen properly.

 

Finished: We picked all that were left Oct 7--figuring those last 2-3 weeks before frost were not going to make a difference in size or color.

 

 

Comments: Peppers were small, thin-walled (particularly the 'Mohawk'), and green. Maybe the flavor would have been better if they had time to fully ripen.

 

I don't love green peppers. I froze what we harvested this year, and have slowly been using them, but I am still buying red peppers for eating fresh from Costco. I may try them one more time next year, to see if putting them in the ground earlier will make any difference. These varieties were both supposed to be end up orange or yellow, and both supposed to very early (60 and 65 days, respectively.)  We harvested the first in mid-September and it was still green.

 

I've had more than one friend tell me that peppers don't do very well here.  So I may skip sweet peppers altogether next year and put in some chili pepper or jalapenos. At least those we could use in salsa. 

 

Lemon cucumber, when planted

Cucumbers: Bottom left and middle

Planted: June 18

Pests, Problems, Diseases: None that I noticed.

Finished: mid-October

 

Variety: 'Bush Pickle'

Yield: decent, for just one plant. 

Comments: 5-6 inch cucumbers, good flavor.  This was a good little producer, and kept us in cucumbers most of the summer. I like the smaller size. One plant was probably enough for eating fresh; if I want to ever make pickles, I would need 4 or 5, probably. It didn't die off mid-summer like my MO cucumbers always seemed to, so that was nice, too.   

 

 

Variety: 'Lemon cucumber'

Yield: Hardly any! Maybe 7 or 8 total.

Comments: This was supposed to yield lemon-sized, yellow cucumbers. The ones I got were very small--maybe 1/3 of that size--very pale yellow, and covered in spiny black hairs. They had a good flavor and were very crunchy, but did not live up to the hype.

 

This plant also tried to take over my entire bottom terrace. It was twining around the sunflowers and entangling the peppers (which were having enough problems of their own!) Perhaps if I had cut back the vines it would have produced more? It always had lots of blossoms on it, (see picture, above), just not very much in the way of actual cucumbers.

 

I will not plant this again next year. I would rather use the space for something that will produce.

 

 

 

Green Beans: bottom right

Planted: March 25 (from seed), June 18 (in garden--some transplanted, some new seed)

Variety: 'Royal Burgundy' (bush)

Yield: about a handful at each picking--enough for one meal's side dish

Pests, Problems, Diseases: None noticed.

Finished: mid-October

 

Comments: DO NOT start these from seed next year! They completely outgrew seedling trays, and I had them all downstairs growing in my basement window for a month. But I forgot to water them down there and most had to be trashed anyway. If I want to start them from seed--perhaps to let the kiddos try it, since they grow so fast--it would need to be beginning of May at the earliest. That way they could go directly into the garden, instead of languishing in my windowsill for weeks.

 

Kids and I enjoyed this variety. They grow purple and then turn green when you cook them. Good flavor, didn't need staking. Not super productive. I planted maybe 9-12, and harvested some for dinner from time to time.

 

Next year I want to plant 2 varieties, in hopes of getting a few more; perhaps the Blue Lake Bush that I tried before, which was very productive. I wouldn't mind having enough to freeze. We would eat green beans from the freezer! 

 

I also want to try planting some soup beans to let dry on the vine. 

 

 

the carrots are on the far right in this picture.

 

Carrots: bottom right

Planted: June 18, from seed

Variety: 'Short n' Sweet'

Yield: not very many

Finished: early October, because they were still so small.

Pests, problems, diseases: None noticed.

 

Comments: Pale orange, very small, decent flavor. I realized that I can plant a regular variety next year--my garden soil is awesome and deep, so I don't need the "especially developed for clay soils" ones.  Also, I need to plant more of them. And I'm sure thinning them would help somewhat, too. So next year I'll have to try some other varieties--maybe do a row of them all along the front of one of the terraces, or something.

 

Sunflowers: bottom terrace, along the back
Planted: June 18, from seed
Yield: lots of pretty blooms
Finished: end of October
Pests, problems, diseases: None noticed.

Varieties: 'Teddy Bear': the pure yellow, puffy-looking ones on the right
'Waooh': black centers, on the left.

Comments: Both varieties grew 3-4 feet high, which was perfect for the terrace they were on. Cheerful color for the fall garden. Didn't bloom until September. I think I do like the black middles better--traditional, I guess.

May or may not plant them in the garden next year.  I've thought about planting some along the west side of the house to add some color while we decide what to do with it over there, but I'm not sure they would survive on rainwater alone. Next time I'll let Jacob cut some to bring in. :)

Oregano: far left in front
Planted: June 18
Variety: 'Greek'
Yield: plenty for me
Finished: um...it's actually still out there and even looked green after the last snowstorm...

Pests, problems, diseases: almost died off when we went on vacation (not enough water?) but recovered nicely after that.

Comments: I'm going back to my thought with the basil: maybe I just need a pot of herbs on the deck, one of each variety. Unless it survives the winter. Then it can stay right where it's at.

 

I did it!

With this short reprieve in the weather, I was finally able to get the rest of the bulbs planted! That's a relief!  There was more to do than I had remembered.

I put 4 daffodils, Narcissus 'Obdam' (white, double) by the mailbox, along with 3 of the tulips, Easter Joy mix. The ground was a bit frozen and hard on top, but still soft underneath.  I put the remaining daffodil and tulips (1 and 2, respectively,) on the back slope, sort of behind the blueberry bush to the far right.

I also still had the Trumpet Mix daffodils to plant (5), so I put them on the slope between the middle garden terrace and the aspen on the right side. And then, I had probably 10 more crocuses to plant, along with 3 or 4 tulips that had gotten dug up from the back flowerbed when I was planting the new shrub.  Those went on the back slope, behind the shed, in some of the dry patches. I hope that they will brighten up that gray dry dirt over there, come spring.

Phew! It was not warm--probably high 30's--but Jacob and I bundled up good, and got it done. Now we're ready for snow FOR REAL.

Garden Evaluation: Tomatoes and Basil

Middle Terrace: Tomatoes and Basil

Tomatoes: middle terrace
Planted: June 8
Pests, problems, diseases: All the tomatoes this year suffered from lack of cages or staking. Many rotted on the ground that could have been saved.
Finished: they lasted right up until hard frost (end of Oct)
Variety: 'Golden Nugget' (2 plants)
Yield: fairly plentiful once it got going
Comments: Small, cherry tomato sized yellow fruit; regular tomato flavor. I'm not going to plant these next year. Cherry tomatoes are a pain to can, and we missed the tangy sweet flavor of Sungold varieties.

Variety: 'Early Girl' (4 plants)
Yield: Not as much as the others, despite having at least as many plants.
Comments: Big tomatoes with good flavor. Did not produce or ripen any earlier than the others. Probably won't repeat this one, either. May look for a bigger determinate variety for canning.

Variety: 'Roma Paste' (4 plants)
Yield: High producing plants, with the smaller bell shaped tomatoes.
Comments: Late to ripen--most of the ones we picked that last week were green Roma's. Another one that I probably will not replant next year. I would like to try a different paste tomato variety to see how it compares. Probably will only put in 1-2 plants, though. Mushy after blanching.

Variety: 'Cougar Red' (2 plants)
Yield: High producing.
Comments: Early to ripen, small heart-shaped tomatoes--many with "noses", less acidic flavor (sweeter). These were my favorites this year. Great for eating fresh, also stayed firm after blanching for good canning. Will have a higher ratio of these next year. Depending on how long our canned tomato goods hold out, I could see us putting in 4 of these, 1 Sun Gold, and perhaps 1-2 experimental varieties.

Basil: grown from seed, planted all along the front of middle terrace

Planted: March 25 (in seed trays), June 8 (in garden)

Variety: Genovese

Yield: Much, much more than I used.

Pests, problems, diseases: Amazingly enough, they survived the waterlogged episode at the beginning of their lives, and went on to grow big and lush. Were crowded and smashed by uncaged tomato plants gone amok later in summer, but no pests or diseases that I could tell.

Finished: Hard to really say, since they were so crowded out, but they were all in flower end of October when we pulled them out.

Comments: I'm still not very great at using fresh herbs--or drying them for future use, as it turns out. We could have been just fine with one basil plant. Maybe I should try it in a pot on the deck next year, along with a couple of other kitchen herbs. Easily accessible to the kitchen, and just one of each variety.

Weather

Saturday night (11/12) we had a snowstorm. It put down about an inch, which the kids played in happily, then was all melted off by Sunday morning. Still in a holding pattern for real winter weather.

I was going to get the rest of the bulbs planted today, with this slight reprieve, except it hailed off and on all day and was super windy.  Maybe tomorrow will work out. If I put a clump each of daffodil and tulip by the mailbox, that should do it, I think.

Garden Evaluation: Zucchini, Squash, Pumpkins, Nasturtiums

Top Terrace: Zucchini, Squash, Mini-Pumpkins, & Nasturtiums

Zucchini: 1 hill, from seed
Planted: June 8
Variety:  ?
Yield: Lots and lots--more than enough
Pests, problems, diseases: Some powdery mildew. Didn't effect production one bit.
Finished: end of season
Comments: Grew to nearly fill in the empty space beside it. Summer harvest was 2-3 times per week. If we waited a full week there would be huge ones waiting! Froze some, gave some away, ate a bunch...they still came on!

Yellow Straight-Neck Squash: 1 hill, from seed
Planted: June 8
Variety: Butterstick
Yield: plentiful
Pests, problems, diseases: none to speak of--some powdery mildew, but didn't effect production
Finished: end of season

Comments: Mild flavor, thin-skinned. More plentiful than the crookneck variety we grew in Mo. If left alone they grew huge just like the zucchini! One hill was sufficient for eating fresh.

Mini-Pumpkins: 2 hills, started indoors

Planted: June 8

Variety: Jack Be Little?  I started 2 each of Jack Be Little (orange) and Baby Boo (white). 2 didn't grow in the seed trays, and one hill died off after planting in the ground. The one that survived started white and turned orange, so my final answer is Jack Be Little....I guess.

Yield: 8-10 minis

Pests, problems, diseases: not sure why 2 didn't come up at all (see comment, above). I think the one that died off in the ground could have been animal related--i.e., trampled by Diamond or something. It was wilted away, not nibbled, but it looked like it had been broken off or crushed.

Finished: end of season

Comments: Very cute little pumpkins. The kids loved them! Great for small-scale decorating. However--10 tiny pumpkins for as much space as that plant took up is not that great a return on investment. Especially when I found out you can get a whole basket-full of mini-pumpkins at Safeway for a couple of dollars. So probably next year we'll go that route and save the garden space for something else.

Nasturtiums: planted all along top terrace in front
Planted: June 8
Variety: don't remember--whatever was left in the seed packet
Yield: 1 plant
Pests, problems, diseases: just old seed, I think
Finished: they lasted right up until hard frost (end of Oct)

Comments: I saved some seeds from the hardy survivor. The bright orange flowers were lovely once they started blooming, especially in contrast with the squash flowers. I want to buy fresh seed next year and start them indoors, so I can have those cheerful blooms earlier in the summer.

Winterizing

Since we had our first snowfall this week (even though it didn't stick) we decided it was high time to get our outdoor stuff ready for winter. Jason boarded up the rest of the empty spaces on the shed--mainly the big back door and attic wall above the porch--and officially declared it done for the season. We did stow the wheelbarrow and lawn mower in there, mainly to get them out of the garage.  He also got all of his extra wood stacked behind the shed, and his tools back in the garage. Jacob's bike and helmet were stored in the garage as well.

Other little chores we did:
** Took garden hoses off and hung them in shed (on newly installed hose holder hooks)
** Picked up last remnants of yard and gardening stuff still out--green plastic mesh fencing, sprinkler heads, etc., and stored them in the shed.
** Pulled the dead flowers out of all pots and put the pots, along with the one plant stand, in the shed.
** Removed cushions from outside rocking chair and stored in shed. I hope the cushions will be okay out there and not get too damp. I may regret that decision.
** Spread mulch on back flower bed around the new shrub and along the back where I planted all the bulbs.

Winterizing takes on a whole new meaning when you get feet of snow, instead of an occasional storm. Anything left out will be buried all winter, so we have tried to be extra careful to pick up any and all odds and ends.

Guess we're about ready for snow to come for real!

Now we just need to get the snow tires back on our vehicles.

Garden put to bed

While Jason's parents were here, they helped clear out the garden, including picking all the rest of the tomatoes.

I was going to put them on a table in the garage, covered by newspaper, and all that, but as I procrastinated that task I discovered them ripening up in the box. So last Wednesday I went through, picked out all the ripe or almost ripe ones, threw away all the rotten ones I could find, and left the rest to do their thing. I came out with about 1/3 of the box, with probably another 1/4 trashed due to rottenness. So not too bad. I know what to do with ripe tomatoes! So once this batch gets completely ripe, I'll get them processed and ready for tomato sauce, along with the other 3 bags-worth in the freezer. 

All cleared out. The tomatoes you see left on the dirt were all half-rotten anyway, so we left them there as compost.

Only things left are the nasturtium on top and the oregano bottom left. 

In lieu of an actual compost pile, we threw all the vines and such down the side slope.

Maybe if nothing else they'll help keep the weeds down.

A few more bulbs planted

I took advantage of the really nice weather this week (in the high 50's) to get more bulbs planted. I put them in the back flowerbed, in the big bare spot close to the house (which used to be all weeds). So there's several clumps planted in sort of a long row between the mockorange and the raspberries, with irises still in the front half of the bed.

Here's what I put in:
Narcissus 'Thalia': blooms mid-spring, supposed to be fragrant, pure white flowers.
Narcissus 'Tannus': white with yellow cup fringed in orange.
Narcissus 'Ice Follies': blooms early spring, white with pale yellow cup

Plus, two purple hyacinths ('blue ice'), and two giant daffodils (picked out by Jacob).

Hmm..I may have put the daffodil 'Trumpet Mix' back there too. It's all kind of running together. I'd have to check to see what I have left in the garage to know for sure!

I also planted a clump of crocuses by our mailbox--a mix of the light purple and darker purple. I may have put some in the back too, I actually can't remember at this point. I was getting as many in the ground as I could.

Still to go, if the ground is not frozen solid in the next few weeks:

--Tulips 'Easter Joy' mix: I'm thinking these would also be nice in a clump next to the mailbox, or in our newly finished flowerbed between retaining walls out front. Only catch is that it still needs dirt added before planting anything.

--Another 5 ruffly narcissus that were a gift from Colette.

--Whatever is left!

New Shrub and slope plants

In an effort to rejuvenate the back flower bed, we pulled out the dead hydrangea and bought a new shrub. Mockorange, or Philadelphus 'Belle Etoile', which is the Idaho state flower. It flowers in spring, white fragrant flowers 2" across. This variety is supposed to grow 5-6 feet tall and wide.

I also bought 2 hostas and a heuchera for the back slope.
Hosta 'Krossa Regal': 2 ft wide by 30 in. tall
Hosta 'June': 30 in wide by 12 in. tall.  Gold leaves with blue-green margin. 2001 Hosta of the Year.
Heuchera villosa 'Caramel': Evergreen, mounding perennial. Unique apricot foliage & light pink flowers. Right now the leaves are burgundy/green.

I put these three all on the back slope, sort of by the back apple tree behind the shed.  It already looks better, even from the house, just to have those different leaf shapes and colors back there.

I also bought a few more bulbs--mostly daffodils, with a couple of hyacinths, tulips, and another small handful of crocuses. So I will have more planting to do in the next week or so.

Bulbs for the slope

Bad picture, because I was too lazy to write them all down.

Oh well.

I just got them from Ace Hardware. Once I get all of these planted, we'll see if I have time and energy before frost to do any others.

So a quick rundown: Snow crocus, Glory of the Snow (Chinodoxa), Tulips (Easter Joy mix), Daffodil (trumpet mix), Wood Hyacinths (also called Spanish bluebells),  Allium, and Allium 'Persian Blue'. 

I just read that some gardeners on the west-side (Seattle/Portland) have found the wood hyacinths to be invasive. I'm hoping our climate over here is different enough that it won't be a problem. They would have to compete with the lupines, which are pretty well established, and all that poky grass, so maybe it wouldn't be a bad thing.

The first two are supposed to be very early bloomers, on to mid-spring, then the alliums in late spring.

I plan to put the early, shorter bulbs in front--perhaps close to the front apple tree or lilac bush. Daffodils and tulips only came with 5 in a package, so I guess I'll clump them. I may put daffodils in the flower bed where I had some annuals this year.

 Alliums not sure of yet--I think they're full sun, so I may plant them somewhere above the garden, or in the top-left corner. Something to brighten up those dead, weedy spaces. I can imagine a beautiful contrast in shape with the tall purple lupines up there.

It wouldn't hurt to get a few more tulips and daffodils, but I've been so busy canning and such this fall, that my flowerbeds and gardening--other than the vegetables--have gotten neglected.

I still want to clear out the back flowerbed and essentially start over, but they may have to wait until spring at this point. Maybe if I can get a good shrub in before winter to replace the oakleaf hydrangea, then work on the rest next year.

Yup, more tomatoes

I've decided to make tomato sauce (plain, not seasoned) to can with all these tomatoes.

So with that in mind, I bought some more pint-sized jars.

Today I blanched, skinned, and seeded all the tomatoes from the last picking which had finally ripened on the counter.  Not enough yet for sauce, so I froze one big gallon-sized bag, and one quart-sized bag. 

 Just in time to pick this many more today!

I'm picking them more and more orange these days, but I keep thinking it's going to frost any time now.

Plus one more regular cucumber, and lo and behold, 4 small lemon cucumbers. They are covered in black spiky hairs, and I have no idea if they're ripe. I'll have to taste one. Unless it is out-of-this-world good, I don't think I'm planting them next year!



Bell peppers, mini-pumpkins, and more tomatoes

No frost yet, so we continue to harvest.

 I had Jacob help me pick all the rest of the bell peppers. Look how many there were! I was surprised--just passing by, I thought there might be 5 or 6 out there.

I think these are probably the last of the green beans.

These adorable mini-pumpkins--must be the 'Jack Be Little' variety, since they're orange--are not much to show for such a huge plant/garden space hog. I think I've seen maybe 2 more out there. I'll have to think about that for next year.

Just look at all these tomatoes! More and more and more!

So far I've frozen some plain & chopped, made oven-roasted tomato sauce, and I need to try just oven-roasted tomatoes (you bake them longer until they're chewy and more dry.)

Can we be done with zuchinni? Please? 

Today's Haul

I think this was our best harvest yet!

I can't believe it, since it's so late in the season.

I did have Jacob pull up all the rest of the carrots. According to the weather man we may still have a couple more weeks until frost, but I don't think 2 more weeks will make much difference for the carrots.

A handful of beans, one green bell pepper, a few good-sized cucumbers ('Bush Pickle'--still none from the Lemon plant), and look at all those tomatoes!

There are some of each variety planted in that bowl. One roma finally got ripe, a few Early Girls and Golden Nuggets, and the rest are Cougar Reds.

I still have a whole bunch of green ones out there. I hope they keep on ripening like this!

Now I have to figure out what to do with them. I could freeze some more, or maybe try to can a few.We'll see. I think the zukes may go to a neighbor. We still have some in our fridge (which doesn't even count the 5 I gave away last week!)

I may need to buy some lettuce for a big, yummy salad bar!

Tomatoes, tomatoes

After such a late start to summer, it has been a blessing that fall has been so lovely.

I had already given up on tomatoes, and bought some to make salsa with. I supplemented that box with some from the garden, but it was mostly purchased.

Now look at what's coming my way!

 Tomatoes with noses. Hee hee.

More and more!

I didn't get pictures of all them. We'd eat a few here and there, and replace them with new ripe ones from the garden. I finally got a small batch blanched, skinned, chopped, and frozen. Only enough for 2 quart-size bags, but at least they didn't go to waste.

Sunflowers blooming, plus more tomatoes

These sunflowers have been adding a nice spot of color in the garden.

I still haven't decided yet if I like the 'Teddy Bear' variety (on the right, all yellow), or the 'Waa-ooh' with their black centers. I do like that they both stopped growing right at the top of the wall. :)

This lemon cucumber plant has been growing like crazy, taking down my peppers plants and twining around the beans. But I have YET to see even one cucumber on it!! Not sure what the deal is. I've seen two or three developing, but when I go looking, I can't even find those.

Some hope for ripe tomatoes in our future.

A few at a time--we'll take it!

A Few More Beans...plus BLACKBERRIES!

Harvest from Sept. 09

More beans and carrots.

Of course, another zucchini, and our first bell pepper.

It had been on the vine so long that it was a bit tough. 

Harvest from Sept. 12

I think Jacob picked most of these zukes.

Some tomatoes, finally!

And a small bowl-ful of blackberries, from the vine at the very tippy-top of the slope.

There were several more red ones, that we'll have to go back for in a few weeks.

Hot, dry weather has been holding out. We may get some tomatoes harvested yet!

This week's harvest

Jacob picked the squash and zucchini without being asked.

He's becoming quite the good little garden helper.

There were more beans than I realized--enough for a meal, hooray!

I just pulled up one carrot to see how it was doing.

As you can see, pretty scrawny. Flavor was ok. We each got one little bite.

We're supposed to have one more week of hot weather. I'm really hoping it's enough to ripen up my tomatoes. We've got one more ready to pick out there.

Garden Update

 More zucchini!

 Monster zucchini! plus a few huge straight-neck squash.

I had never seen yellow squash get this big, so I wasn't expecting it.

These have had a really mild flavor, and even on the huge ones the skin hasn't been too thick.

Jason made zucchini bread, we froze some (grated) to make more bread later, and have been putting squash in everything we can think of.

I plan to give some away this week to friends.

The whole garden: almost completely filled in.

 My beans have finally started producing.

I plan to pick some this week for dinner.

 Sunflowers oh-so-close to blooming.

Looks like in addition to the main flower head, each one will also have several surrounding smaller flowers as well. Should be pretty, if they make it before frost!

 More beans and sunflowers.

 This one should bloom by the end of the week.

 Finally! Our first ripe tomato!

It was a Cougar Red.

I did snip all the tops/ends off these tomato plants, and have been rewarded with a few starting to ripen.

The kids and I ate this one for lunch. It was delicious!

 The other side of the tomato terrace, looking down from top terrace.

Tomato cages a MUST next year!

 Mini-pumpkins taking off down the slope.

 My one little nasturtium plant is also finally blooming!

It looks pretty and the color is so vivid it stand out, even from the back deck.

 I especially like the bright orange contrasting with the squash flowers.

All the different leaf shapes are pretty, too.

Today and yesterday's harvest (minus one cucumber that we already ate--same size as these.)

First Harvest and Garden Update

This hawk is a frequent visitor to our back yard.

First harvest: zucchini and squash--what did we expect?

 

The whole garden, looking big and bushy.

I had one small tomato cage that I put a few of the branches through that were covering the walkway on the right-hand side. Next year I need to get cages and use them early on! The tomato plants are so thick that they are kind of holding each other up, but I don't think the tomatoes themselves are going to get ripe as well under all that bushiness.

I need to go through and pinch off the tops so that they have a chance of ripening before frost, at least.

 

Tiny cucumbers.

These would be a good candidate to start from seed here. They grew so fast in Missouri, usually producing and dying off by beginning of August, that I thought nothing of just planting small starts in June.

We may get a few cucumbers before frost, but it could be a close thing.

 

Sunflowers are looking healthy and beautiful, except no blossoms yet.

Bottom terrace, left side.

Cucumber is starting to fill up some space to the front.

Peppers are really struggling. Still just the one plant has any coming on it.

Bottom terrace, middle

Lemon cucumber is filling up the middle back space and coming all the way forward.

I've seen several blossoms on it, but no fruit yet either.

 Mini pumpkin plant is producing several of these cute little numbers.

All off-white, which would make them the "Baby Boo" variety, I believe.

I'll have to double check, but I think these are the ones that made good eating, too.

 This picture was to show how much the squash plants and pumpkin are taking over all available space on the top terrace. I always knew zucchini was a space hog. I'll have to get another picture to prove it, but it has almost taken up the empty space next to it (that would be a half a terrace!)

 More yellow squash coming.

  A little out of order: caged tomatoes, still green!

zukes blossoming freely