Fall in the Garden

Now that Thanksgiving is done with, there's time for a little work in the garden.  Fall colours are arriving thick and fast due to the warm, dry weather we've been experiencing.  This year has exploded the record books and the Forestry Service says there's nothing left to measure the dryness in the woods. Rain is expected in a couple of days which will definitely be an event to give thanks for!  In the meantime, we'll enjoy the brilliance of Autumn.

Japanese Maple and Robinia behind the pond show off their Autumn couture

The snow pea fence experiment is proving to be a success and I'll definitely be repeating it next growing season.  The vines are scrambling up the zig zag fence which remains sturdily in place.  We've already had a couple of pickings with many more to come.

Snow peas ready for picking

The one zucchini plant is still holding its own and popping out a few babies for future stir fries.

Pick me!  Pick me!

I can't believe that it's almost mid-October and the tomatoes are still producing.  The dehydrator is running again, drying Principe Borghese tomato quarters to tuck away for winter consumption.  Stella's Altai is finally showing promise, although it's too late to have enough tomatoes to make salsa.  The mystery grape tomatoes grown from self-seeded plants are incredibly productive, although the skins are tough.  Gives you a clue why commercial growers like these tomatoes - they obviously travel well!

My tough-skinned experiment.  Pretty, though!

This year I grew Bergamot.  It's supposed to be an ingredient for making Earl Grey Tea.  More reading is required to figure this out, though.  Do I use the flower petals?  The leaves?  Research!

Bergamot flowers