Garden done for this season

[kenny_j]

Pulling up the last of the tomato plants today.Will take most of the day, pruning branches just to be able to slide the cages up and over. Then unhooking each wire mesh cage so they can be set inside each other, pulling up the re-rod stake that holds each in place. I carefully rake all vegetative matter and remove from garden to prevent overwintering of diseases. Then til and plant winter rye. I could probably get a few more weeks out of my small varieties, the big beefers are done tho, and winter rye does need some time to get up and going. Last yr I waited til first of oct. and it didn't establish that well.
This is the first year I have ever felt such emotion taking down the garden, it is also the first year that I went to such extremes to grow nice plants, and my first real year growing heirlooms (past attempts were thwarted by my ignorance of plant variety selection, and trusting big box stores to sell me quality plants). Anyway, the meloncholy has set in this morn'. I have started all plants from seed and nurtured them as best I could, especially after over watering early on, LOL. So many of the dozen varieties I tried turned into very pleasant surprises. The little j. flamme, just the perfect balance of flavors. The sudduth BW, the first one I picked was a let down, a huge 2.5 lb double mater. But the rest were devine. I feel like these plants are my children, and I will miss them this winter, tho not all the work.
The sadness also comes from the realization that fall is here (my favorite time of year actually), and as the geese V their way south another cycle is coming to an end. And I am one year closer to mine, but that doesn' really bother me. What brings the moisture to my cheeks is the remembrance of loved ones passed, great and glorious memories, full of joy for the most part. The sadness comes from how much I miss them.
Break times over back to work.

[fortyonenorth]

Very nice thoughts, Kenny. I, too, can identify with the mixed emotions that come with this time of year.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by kenny_j

The sadness also comes from the realization that fall is here (my favorite time of year actually), and as the geese V their way south another cycle is coming to an end. And I am one year closer to mine, but that doesn' really bother me. What brings the moisture to my cheeks is the remembrance of loved ones passed, great and glorious memories, full of joy for the most part. The sadness comes from how much I miss them.

Kenny, Wow, that is beautifully said! I know what you mean and feel pretty much the same way. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Fall with us.
Dutch

[kenny_j]

What a job. Pulled all plants, got every thing on the compost pile, raked all vegetative debris. Clean dirt. Stacked and stored all cages and stakes, and even picked a few tomatoes while at it. Got enough paste for one more batch of sauce, and the last green zebras. What a day, pooped to say the least. Tommorrow will till and seed with winter cover. Then rest, LOL. The last month has been non stop!

[kenny_j]

You didn't need to clean up your grammer, your original post was cool, thanx for appreciating my ramblings.

While I detest the unbearable heat of Texas in July and August, I love our long spring and fall weather. I am able to enjoy the growing and blooming of many vegetables in both seasons. When I go to the garden in the fall, the feelings of new birth or rebirth are the same I feel in the early spring. The weather experts are saying we may not actually have a winter this year if the La Nina or El Nino that has caused our summer heat and drought doesn't go away. While we need rain desperately, I would love to pick some vine ripe tomatoes for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I'm already harvesting the nicest squash of the year with the cucumbers arriving soon. The lettuce and radishes will be ready to start harvesting in a couple of weeks. My fall peppers and eggplant are always more productive and larger in the fall. My fall tomatoes are in almost full bloom. . I think I am anticipating the Jaune Flamme the most since the summer heat prevented a decent harvest in the spring.

I've always enjoyed a long, cold winter with a pot of coffee that never runs out and a stack of good books to read. This year, I am hoping to keep growing my fall garden until it is time to prepare the beds for the spring garden.

Ted

[BigBrownDogHouse]

I'm already composting in my back garden. Those plants are gone.....
Side garden is hanging on but not doing much.
Leaves and pine needles are dropping all around. There's a nip in the air every evening.

[kenny_j]

Tedlin, I envy you that, 2 seasons!! I lived in Texas in 1970, for a year while in the army, at ft Hood. I loved it. Great wildlife area, deer every where, and lakes for fishing. I lived off base but was very young and not into gardening yet. Great memories of Texas. I miss my fresh tomatoes already, the last few have been eaten. Wish now I had saved the greenies, I'll remember to do that next year.

kj