Tuesday, September 14, 2010

End of summer garden roundup

For a full list of garden updates, check out An Oregon Cottage.

Perhaps last week I mocked our summer garden (and the Seattle weather) too much, because things have improved! As a result, we've had at least one tomato ripening each day. We've also had quite a few peppers since last week (7, maybe), & 10 cucumbers. Our grapes are very close to being ripe, and my kids eat them with regularity, despite the slightly sour taste!

I've also discovered that our squash plant (that I must confess I forgot about, hidden as it was behind the pumpkins) is producing. We made a saute one night for dinner, & I plan to make Squash Bread this week.

Our pumpkins are continuing to ripen & grow. Here's a picture! My kids are anxiously awaiting the day when we can pick them. Question for the more experienced gardeners. We planted the pumpkins in early summer - will they be too ripe by Halloween? Should be plant more if we plan to use the pumpkins for Halloween purposes?

4 comments:

  1. We're planning pumpkins for next year's garden. I'm interested in what folks have to say about timing too!

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  2. No need to plant more now. They would never make it to maturity here in the NW by this Halloween. Yours will do just fine. Keep letting him or her ripen on the vine as long as the weather stays nice. Then when it is calling for our first frost, cut him off and put him in the cool garage. Then when the frost warnings are over, he can go back out in the sunshine and harden off. Pumpkins will last a long time. I am embrassed to admit, the ones I grew as a kid I LOVED - couldn't cut them up for halloween, so I stored them under my bed! Even in the warmth of the house they last until the new year :) Enjoy!

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  3. Great - thanks for the guidance! I will try that. My kids have already picked "their" pumpkin for Halloween, so I think it's fair to say they are excited. :-)

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  4. I second Lexa- they last a long time on the vine (think of all the "pumpkin patches" our kids visit each year...) and they last (and last, it seems) well after cutting from the vine. It's when they are carved that they don't last as long. :-)
    Enjoy!
    Jami
    An Oregon Cottage

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