the end of September means the end of the garden

My son's exact words when he came in the kitchen were "Holy Tomatoes!" I find this pretty funny. I had the same reaction when I was in the garden ripping out the plants, getting the raised beds ready for the first frost. I had harvested so many these past weeks, I had no idea there were still so many waiting. We will see if I am laughing (this week) as I research 50 ways to cook green tomatoes. This should be interesting.

I am grateful to have had success in the garden this growing season. The beauty of the sunshine and soil is much appreciated. My garden got away from me in 2010, 2011, and 2012. I would start with good intentions and neat rows of starter plants. By the time mid July hit, I was buried in final exams at Whitworth and those tiny little plants looked like Seymore from Little Shop of Horrors. With intensive classes and extreme summer heat, I would surrender. This year was different.

I am blessed to have a large space in my back yard to plant vegetables, fruits, and flowers. Several raised beds are surrounded by a red picket fence with a grape vine covered archway at the entrance. The gate is latched and always closed.This is one area at our home where the dogs are not allowed. They protest and fuss on the other side of the fence but I don't waiver with this rule. Bulldogs barreling through tomato cages or eating jalapeno peppers or onions would be bad. I like having a solid fence between us.

Gardens are usually better behaved than dogs. The expression "You are always training a bulldog or the bulldog is training you" is true. Their stubbornness is legendary and they can smell it if you choose to deviate from the rules. They are like kindergartners-- do not turn your back on them! Plants are true to the nature of the soil, sun and water. If you feed it correctly and tend to it consistently, there is a really good chance you will have a positive outcome.

FYI: Safety is the first reason to keep the pets away from the garden. Many garden plants such as rhubarb and potatoes have poisonous leaves and can be fatal if ingested. If a dog or cat thinks it smells good, they may make the mistake and taste it.

A new month starts in less than a day. Time flies by at breakneck speed. Would you like to come over for some fried green tomatoes?