Monday, September 13, 2010

Autumn Harvest


Hi everyone! Thanks for all your good wishes and support as we get ready to sell our home of 11 years!

It’s been pretty nice lately (at least in the early part of the day) so I’ve been trying to spend a bit of time out in the garden. I thought I’d show you a couple of things I’ve harvested in the past week.
HSM
What didn’t work – potatoes!  I tried growing them in a grow bag this year instead of in the ground and this is all I got!
 potatoes
Can you believe it!!! I  spent more money watering them than it would have cost me to buy organic potatoes all summer!  Can't say there's always next year since I don't know if I'll have space/time to set up a veggie garden in the new place.
carrots
The carrots did surprisingly well. I didn’t really plant too many of them as last year they didn’t do well. But of course this year they did great! I forget what variety these are. I’ve left a few in the ground for later.

But as you know my pumpkins did very well!
pumpkins
I’ve harvested all these so far and I have a couple more that need to turn orange before I cut them from the vine.
cinderblockpumpkin
I know you all want to know what happened to my cinderblock pumpkin! For those of you that don’t know – I was checking on my pumpkins one day and noticed I had one growing inside a cinderblock (I used the cinderblocks to make a raised bed for my raspberries).
block
I took a crowbar and hammer to the cinderblock since the pumpkin was wedged in there pretty good! It came out kind of square/rectangular. It was in there kind of sideways so it’s not going to be a perfect square.
squarepumpkin
How fun is that! If I have space to grow them next year I’m definitely going to do this on purpose and grow square ones!
pumpkins2
That’s about all I’ve harvested lately with the exception of a handful of raspberries and a few peppers.

As always, thanks for stopping by!

51 comments:

nannykim said...

Oh, I haven't had fresh out of the garden carrots for years, and looking at yours made me remember that yummy fresh taste! Your pumpkins look so cheerful....and it was funny about the almost square one!

GlorV1 said...

Hi Manuela. Wonderful garden, beautiful home and your selling your home of 11 years. Did I read you right? Oh my goodness. All the work you put into it.:((( I feel a little sad about that but I know your next home will be as wonderful but ah the memories Manuela. Take care amiga.

Julie Harward said...

Ohhh, poor little potatoes! But the carrots look like "I want to eat one right now!" Love the square one..I was waiting to see it too..very cool! Good luck with the sale of your home :D

Anita@Theycallmejammi said...

You never know what will be successful from year to year...I guess that's all in the fun. I love the pumpkins...that semi-square one is just too cute.

Unknown said...

I wish I had the space for a garden. Mmm carrots. And all those pumpkins!
You may have started a trend... square pumpkins? Love it.

Theresa said...

Beautiful harvest! LOVE the square pumpkin! You should send that picture and enter it in a fall contest:)

Wow the carrots are really looking good!

Enjoy your evening!

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

How great to have your own pumpkins to decorate with. Love the square one.

Vee said...

It's interesting to see what didn't work this year and what did and what did work last year and didn't. Odd! You're on to something with the square pumpkins. Plant a lot, you're going to have a market. :D

allisamazing said...

Beautiful pictures of your wonderful harvest. Thanks for sharing.
~Alana~

mizdarlin said...

I've said it before, but you are a great photographer..your first two pictures definitely look professional..
It must be a bit sad to leave that wonderful garden, but i can't imagine you not gardening again..enjoy your pumpkins, they look scrumptious!

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

What GREAT pumpkins, and square ones would be so unique! Love that idea...

I have been amiss and didn't know you were putting your home up for sale..I have to catch up! I know you have wonderful memories and will carry them with you as you create a new wonderful abode!

Lou Cinda :)

Richella Parham said...

Oh, that precious little square pumpkin! How adorable!

Angie said...

I don't think I commented on the last post so good luck with the eventual sale of your home. We have actually been considering doing the same and have looked at a few houses. We can't decide what we should do. Right now we are leaning towards staying in our current home, but our minds seem to change every day!

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Oh what a great little garden you have had Manuela!
I love your pretty mums and the great little so cute pumkins!
And good luck with your sale too.
Cindy

Sharlotte said...

Great harvest...Love the square pumpkin!

Unknown said...

I planted a whole patch of pumpkins and I didn't get one stinking pumpkin. I don't know why, but I got all male blooms and no females. It's been so hot here in Texas, the only thing I've been picking lately is cantaloupes, jalapenos and what watermelons I can keep my chickens from destroying.

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Fun photos and love the square pumpkin! The best luck I had growing potatoes in a small space, was with stacked tires. I started with one tire filled with dirt and the seed potatoes, and as the greens grew, I'd add another tire and dirt~ just leaving the tops exposed. When they were ready I just took the tires down and it was full of easily harvested potatoes! The kids had fun with it, too!

Debbie said...

Good grief, Manuela. Only you would figure out a way to grow designer pumpkins at no cost.

I hope the new "downsized" place has room for a garden. You are such a master of it. Well, except for the grade cut you got on taters this year.

Georgia Peach said...

Thank you for your tour of your garden. It is beautiful. I loved the cinder block pumpkin. That is a conversation piece all by itself! Have you put your house up for sale yet?

I know what you mean about the weather early in the day here. I am sitting on my deck in shorts and short sleeves cold for the first time this year. Are we going from summer straight into a winter, although mild here? Don't you just love this Georgia weather? :o)

Off to put some warm clothes on!

Sportsgirl said...

Got a laugh out of the square pumpkin! :-)

Melanie@TheOldWhiteCottage said...

Ohhhhh ... I'm so jealous of your pumpkins. My veggie garden is always an experiment because its in shade. This year we attempted pumpkins, but no luck. At least we still have tomatoes and cucumbers.

Love the square pumpkin! ;-)

Anonymous said...

Hi Manuela! Oh, your produce is pretty. Sorry about your potatoes. But look at your pretty pumpkins! What fun to have your very own.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Tina Leigh said...

I love the pumpkins! Im gonna have to try a square one myself!!! I love that!

Cindy said...

Hi Manuela,
I love your square pumpkin! You may have started something here! Your produce looks wonderful, too bad about the potatoes, eh? I want to grow potatoes next year and I think I will change the spot where I grew tomatoes last year and this year. I may cheat and plant grown plants next year. I love the process, but when they never ripen, it is discouraging.
Thanks for a look at your garden!
Hugs, Cindy

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

The pumpkins look great, Manuela! I should do them next year. I think that is one thing I could handle growing. And, you've reminded me that I need to get some mums!

Unknown said...

Hi Manuela, you have a wonderful garden, and also wonderful hands!

Love your square pumpkin!

Jeanette said...

Love the square pumpkin...I have to confess I probably would have taken the hammer and crowbar the the pumpkin, though instead of the cinder block! LOL!!

E. Charlotte said...

Great fall photos! I just adore your square pumpkin! How funny!!

Brenda Pruitt said...

Love the square pumpkin! Oh, what an adventure you will be on to find and decorate a new place. I can't wait to go along on the journey with you.
Brenda

Melissa Miller said...

That is something else with that poumpkin inside the block. Too cool! Manuela your harvest all looks great. I need to buy some mums soon. :)

Kathleen Grace said...

I love all your pumpkins! I planted some but only got one, it's a biggie though and I am pretty darn thrilled with it:>)

Janean said...

square pumpkins may become the *hit* when people see yours!

Anita said...

I've never seen a square pumpkin before:) The pumpkins make me think of fall already. Such a nice display.
Good luck on moving!

Kristi said...

I haven't had fresh out of the garden carrots in YEARS, but they are the best! And yours look fantastic! Your pumpkins are beautiful too! :)
Kristi

The Single Nester said...

Dontcha just love Fall's bounty!?

My Cozy Cubby said...

You might start a new trend in growing square pumpkins!

Pamela

Lallee said...

Your pumpkins look so pretty!!!! They will probably taste equally good.

Whoever owns your home after you will be very blessed. Praying for God to work out the details for you, with an extra heap of His blessings.
♥Lallee

Laura said...

I LOVE that square (almost) pumpkin! That is too cute. I wonder if you'll be able to do it on purpose next time. :) Sometimes it's just "one of those things". Ya know?? :)

Too bad about the potato's but your carrots look super yum!

I love the display you've set up with your pumpkins. Very nice.

((Hugs))
Laura

Gumbo Lily said...

Some of your pumpkins look sort of like gourds. What variety did you plant? They are so sweet. My spuds did well and carrots too. I tend to grow the underground things best of all.

Jody

Denise Marie said...

how much fun you are having!!

Mimi Sue said...

That square pumpkin is so cool! I wonder how they'd grow in a wooden frame? Good luck with all the stuff on the to do list. Moving is not fun but worth it. Mimi

Debra Howard said...

What nice pumpkins! Praying your house sells soon. Looks like you had some hard gardening lessons this year too. Learning what works and what doesn't can be tough some days.
Debbie

Ruth Welter said...

Hi Manuela, It is been a while sine I visited...best of luck with the sale of your house, I know selling is a pain, been there and done that. I wish you good luck and some speed with that as well. : )

Loved seeing what you are growing, especially the cinder block pumpkin....take good care and enjoy the upcoming fall.

Ruth

dixymiss said...

I can only imagine the prospect of selling your lovely home and property brings miXed emotions. In some respects moving is eXciting and in others, a bit daunting. Many blessings as you plan and prepare for the neXt adventure in feathering a new nest!

It's so funny that we had an almost opposite garden harvest this year. I got one carrot. One. And zero pumpkins. I planted siX starts and they had loads of blossoms (still do), but no fruits. However, I did get a moderate zucchini crop and the herbs did great. The tomatos are still loaded with green fruits, but now the autumn rains have arrived... (sigh) It just didn't get warm enough this year.

Ah well, there's always neXt year! Who knows what the weather and life will bring then?

dixymiss said...

I can only imagine the prospect of selling your lovely home and property brings miXed emotions. In some respects moving is eXciting and in others, a bit daunting. Many blessings as you plan and prepare for the neXt adventure in feathering a new nest!

It's so funny that we had an almost opposite garden harvest this year. I got one carrot. One. And zero pumpkins. I planted siX starts and they had loads of blossoms (still do), but no fruits. However, I did get a moderate zucchini crop and the herbs did great. The tomatos are still loaded with green fruits, but now the autumn rains have arrived... (sigh) It just didn't get warm enough this year.

Ah well, there's always neXt year! Who knows what the weather and life will bring then?

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Hi, girl, just read about selling your house! That is big news, I know how you have enjoyed your projects & gardening & that great screened porch ya'll built. Hard to leave all of that, I know, but I'm sure you will figure it out & make a great move. Just think of the fun possibilities with a new house.

I wish you the very best & hope you sell fast & for a good price too. xo

Paula@SweetPea said...

Your mums and pumpkins look so pretty. Your square pumpkin is sure to be a conversation piece.

This year was such a dry and hot year that I guess you can't be too disappointed about a poor harvest on some crops. Your carrots sure do look good! I've never tried to grow any.

Enjoy the last few days of summer!

Denny said...

You just gotta love that square pumpkin!You might be onto a new fad selling square ones..lol!As usual your garden is looking just lovely..:)

Melanie said...

Hi Manuela, love your display of pumpkins and mums on the bench. I've never tried growing potatoes, but last year I did carrots and they turned out kind of like your potatoes did! ;-)

~Melanie
www.comfyhouse.blogspot.com

Susan said...

Your pumpkin did come out fairly square, didn't it? LOL

You've had a fabulous harvest, Manuela. We did okay this year... didn't plant as much at Mom's as we'd have liked to, but there will be next year when there is more time and a little bit more help.

I love the wonderful seasonal veggies you have all coming in for you now. Fall harvests are just so beautiful, and yummy. ;-)

Hugs,
Susan

Janet, said...

How neat, a square pumpkin! You know I bet you could do that with watermelons, too. We have a stray watermelon growing beside our front porch, I think it is going to get big enough to eat before it frosts.