During the delay between posts this time I have been setting up with things we need before harvest next year. My poor tomatoes did not make it in my containers this year due to an untimely freeze that happened at the beginning of September and the almost freeze back in July. (Yes, I know I live in Hell. It usually allows me to grow my own food here without the problems of earth quakes and tornadoes.) So, this year it was to my benefit that in ground tomatoes didn't die from the weather. I was able to buy two boxes full of beef steak tomatoes at the farmer's market for 30$ and then a friend called to tell me that her in-laws farm had too many tomatoes and too many apples. If I came with her to pick then I could have.
I then harvested the chives we, my neighbors and myself, planted four years ago in one of the complexes flower (in ground) beds. Since they grow a lovely purple flower and they keep those orange fake lady bugs (Japanese beetles) away my landlord hasn't removed them. We had a wonderful year on chives and I have more than enough to feed my army. Of course, always remember to leave a bit of plant left to make more again next year.
My parsley, sage and mint have been brought inside. I bought them in July when they were half dead and on sale at WalMart. They will all need another year before they are ready for a large harvest, but a bit here and there taste lovely. I also transferred my struggling mint into the large container that held my poor frozen tomato plant.
BEFORE I TRANSFERRED THE MINT:
We went out today to two farms. We gathered pears for 20$ to fill a 5 gallon bucket and grabbed ourselves a free black kitten (no name yet) and then went to another farm for raspberries (2 store size containers full of organic grown at 4$) and a snack of apples (the kids were told they can have an apple each for the ride home by the nice farmers).
I love harvest time. The world is getting colder, dying and we are getting ready for cold dark days. Even though I should be sad as this all happens I cannot be as I hear the pop of the jars sealing and smell the sweat aroma of herbs drying on my walls.
Next year I have a plan to grow on my porch/patio as much as possible for my own organic harvest. I am so excited and I think I am finally ready.
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