Bountiful Garden

My Garden was a success this year. I planted a bunch of produce I've never grown before like corn and potatoes. You also could call it my flower garden instead of a "garden" because I planted food all around my yard in my flower berms because I don't have a "plot" for a garden.

 

I planted "Candy Corn" in my front yard in a flower berm. I actually loved the look of it and thought it was pretty ornamental to have in flower garden. I think I'd like to try another brand of corn though next year.

 I thought it was interesting that the husk had a purple look to it. They were small and I know I needed to add more fertilizer and plant it much earlier. The ears of corn were small, but at least I had success in growing corn on the cob.

 I didn't get very many, but enough to eat and freeze a few bags. I enjoyed growing corn and learned how to do better the next time I grow it.

 

It was interesting to grow it in the front of my house. I was worried that my corn would be stolen, but it wasn't. One of the things I learned was that it is better to irrigate corn rather then have it watered with a sprinkler. The corn in the back / more shaded area became moldy - because it didn't dry out be evening. 

 The onions I planted from seed did well too. I loved going out and having onions from my garden all summer and not having to purchase any from the store. I put an apple next to the onions to give you an idea of the size. All were grown from a seed and not a purchased plant. Pretty cool!

 I loved .... loved .... loved growing potatoes. I grew them in the back of the berm that my corn was grown on. I loved the lushness of the foliage and the white flowers all summer long. I did harvest 1 plant about a month ago and had 10 nice sized potatoes. This is all the rest of the plants. I'd say I have about 50 pounds of potatoes. It is awesome and there were so many big "baked potato" size. I am definitely going to grow potatoes again.

 

I've had a MILLION tomatoes. I've canned at least 50 quarts of whole tomatoes and 12 pints of beautiful salsa below and more coming. I also gave my sister 2 bag full because I've had an abundance of tomatoes. It's been wonderful - there isn't anything better then tomatoes out of the garden on a sandwich or salad - Yum!

I also have tons of carrots, cucumbers, zucchini, crock neck and I have 5 beautiful pumpkins that I'll blog about when they are carved for Halloween.

 

My garden has been such a blessing this year and has really filled my food storage. I also purchased a case of peaches and pears that I canned. I canned 24 pint jars of each. I decided to can pint jars instead of quart jars because I'm an empty Nester now and it will be just me eating them.