We share the best & worst parts of our day at the supper table...which the Tornado usually misphrases,
"What was the part of YOUR day, Mommy?"
I was similarly inspired by Bumble Lush's Kitchen Garden to share the best & worst parts of my 2011 garden, so here goes!
The best:
After three years of struggle, I overcame one of my Nemesis Plants - the green pepper. The final harvest came in somewhere around 10 pounds...which I was thrilled with!
We also grew our first watermelon. And it was deeee-licious!
I finally learned how to can this year, too. I'm loving that my garden keeps on giving and giving even when it's cold outside.. The sweet beans especially love the Peach Peel Jelly!
The Worst:
Remember to bring your freshly picked produce INSIDE after you pick it.
Can you guess what this sunburnt vegetable is?
The Battle of the Deer raged on this season. I've asked so many local gardeners how they keep deer away, and apparently ours is the only garden within a 15 mile range that is deer-tasty. :) My options next year are limited to: 1) a live wire, 2) caging in the entire garden, or 3) sharing. (grrrr.)
Welcome to one of the many Ugly Places in my garden. Everybody has a few ugly places hidden away, but these don't normally get trotted out to share. :) I found that identifying (and sharing!) the worst parts of the garden gave me a big push to improve those areas. (So...I'll be looking for your ugly places too, right?)
What were the best & worst parts of YOUR 2011 garden?
Great last image, made me really smile. Same with the toasty veggie, the shriveled wonder. Happy New Year too!
ReplyDeleteThe ugly veggie is a beet? Those peppers look great! I trotted out one of my ugly pix in my post Accidental Enlightment, but unfortunately there are a lot more hidden away on my hard drive. Next summer I'm going to do a Before/After series of big redo. I've enver heard of making jelly with peach peels. Clever and practical!
ReplyDeleteMy raspberry plants on my garden plot in the country looked about the way your plant looked after the deer got a taste. I am guessing I'll either have to move them or set up a portable fence.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't figure the shriveled veggie.
And how do you make peach peel jelly?
Those peppers look delicious!! Mine were doing really well until yesterday when we had the Storm from Hell (see my blog for details)! Not sure they'll survive... What are your plans for your Ugly Place? We have one too so thanks for the idea for a future blog post! Happy New Year to you all... xxx
ReplyDeleteyippee about the peppers...I got a good yield with some hot peppers but the sweet were a bust and tomato blight hit again....radishes, garlic, lettuce and other greens, carrots were the best..the shriveled one looks like a beet or radish...
ReplyDeleteTee hee. When I saw the pic of the dried veggie, I nearly said out loud, "What is that?" Is it a beet as the others say? I chuckled, too, when I saw the last photo. You always bring a smile to my face, Hanni. This would be a great post for the Garden Lessons Learned meme--feel free to link in. I kept it open. :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you conquered your nemesis plant --and what a harvest! Best wishes for your garden in 2012!
ReplyDelete@all: It's a... RADISH! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a year of firsts for you. Are you relatively new to gardening.
ReplyDeleteIs you mystery fruit rhubarb?
A radish? really? I was going to guess turnip. Congratulations on your watermelon! If I manage to grow one this year it would definitely make my best list too.
ReplyDelete@Patrick's Garden: Yes, somewhat. This will be my sixth year gardening, but last summer was my first successful try at vegetables. :)
ReplyDeleteYour green peppers looks delectable! It must be nice to have finally overcome that obstacle. I think I have overcome the rabbits with the fence around the veggie garden, but they still nibble on the perennials.
ReplyDeleteThat's an impressive looking water melon, Hanni.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Hanni! I nominated you for the Versatile Bloggers award. See http://greenplace-chapelhill.blogspot.com/2012/01/i-thought-id-share-favorite-photograph.html
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post mate you have written it very well.
ReplyDeleteHey Hanni!
ReplyDeleteWell I did it... I finally joined Pinterest. So I headed over here to find your feed there since I love your taste :) Hope you all are doing well and resting up this winter.
Julie