The weather has been very unusual here this year. I had a really nice garden going, and then it started to rain... and it rained and rained and rained. When I would go out to harvest vegetables, I would remove my shoes and walk in mud up to my ankles. Actually, that was rather fun, but one of the down sides was that I couldn't hoe in mud and the weeds took over early in the year. I am not even going to show you a picture of how terrible it is right now. In spite of all of that, I was able to do sufficient canning for us. I have also made a decision. I've decided to go with a permanent mulch system, a la Ruth Stout/Back to Eden. I worked so so hard this year, and it completely got away from me! I'm getting too old for this. If I can't make the permanent mulch work after a couple of years, then I'll just keep a very small garden, but I hope it doesn't come to that.
So, my husband and I are clearing things out in the garden and he's going to cut down the weeds and remove what he can, and then we have a friend that has promised to deliver wood chips to us. The picture above shows the small amount of things I found out there. Here is some more, about 3 gallons of Yukon Gold potatoes. I don't usually dig them this early, but I have to, and noticed the mice had just begun getting to them, so I'm glad I did.
Here are the sweet potatoes! Not a stellar harvest, but it will be enough. It is early to dig them also. I was pleasantly surprised to get this much, because sweet potatoes don't like to get their feet wet, but I always grow them on a ridge of soil, so I guess it really worked this year.
There are some more Kennebec potatoes out there that I need to dig up, but then that will be all. This year I canned green beans, tomato juice, sweet corn and salsa from the garden, as well as stewed rhubarb. I am very grateful for what we have. I just need to go in a different direction. Stay tuned.
Your sweet potatoes look wonderful. I don't think we can grow them here. I stock up when they go on sale at Thanksgiving and store them in the root cellar.
ReplyDeleteDon't be discouraged about your garden! Every year is another chance. Hopefully your over abundant rain was just a one time thing.
You are right. Every year is different. We did get lots to eat, but it was such a struggle and so much was wasted. Hopefully, next year will be better.
DeleteI used to do that too. In the fall when Sweet Potatoes were at their best price, I would stock up.
Thank you, Athanasia.