It’s been a great summer, crazy busy and full of great adventures here at The Unprocessed Home, so I feel it only appropriate to pay tribute to this season of time through this Ode to Summer. This past week as the day of the equinox came and went, and we’ve all noticed the shortening of the days, I’m beginning to mourn the conclusion of my garden. Perhaps mourn is to strong of a term for the end of the fruits and vegetables that have blessed us with their bounty this summer. We have toiled over their care, with our hands in the dirt and tolerated a few aching backs for the wealth of organic food not only for our stomachs but for the health of our bodies. However, when for most gardeners, gardening pretty much consumes their every spare moment during the months of June through August and we become quite engrossed in this daily cultivating, maybe grieving over the loss of this activity isn’t too bold of a description.

We began the summer with loads of snow peas gracing us with their presence and enhancing our Asian Sesame Salads, and many of stir frys.

We tried our hand at companion planting bringing together cucumbers with their prickly skin and the brilliant edible nasturtiums, both climbing vertically to reach for the rays of sunlight.

 

The charm of the flowers intermingled with the fruits and vegetables, luring the bees into the garden to assist in pollination and encourage the proliferation of the plants.

 

The simpleness of green beans and some very abundant cucumbers resulted in sweet Bread and Butter pickles and Dilly Green Beans.

 

Experimented with the new to us growing techniques of potato towers and cloches over the pepper plants, basil and eggplant, with mixed results.

Basked in the beauty of these miniature roses of which the name escapes my memory. Thankful for their bright spot as I pass them doing chores.

Blueberry bushes lavished us with not only an ample supply of berries but their beauty brings out the photographer in me. I genuinely enjoy photographing the plants and the fruits and vegetables that they produce as much as I love developing recipes and creating dishes with them. Now that the garden is done what will I find to feed my instagram followers with?

Patiently awaited while the green peppers were left on the bushes long enough to turn their brilliant red, and continued to pick more and more green beans.

Had a bumper crop of basil which was frozen and will find it’s way into many Basil Fried Rice Dishes and perhaps some Kale Basil Pesto.

Last but not least, my adorable sugar pie pumpkins.

Lets end with that, bidding a fond farewell to the golden days of summer and digging in the dirt. Welcoming the crispness in the air of autumn. The amber tones you will grace us with, to plenty of good hearty soups and perhaps some time for reading a good book, knitting and more photographic opportunities. What did you grow in your garden this year?

 

 

Tags:  garden Summer