Potatoes, Green Beans and Filling Up the Pantry

Crows heading home at sunset to roost

It looks like Summer has given its last gasp. That's not to say that we won't have plenty of pleasantly warm days in the next several weeks, only that we are not likely to see temperatures in the 80+ range again until next year. And I am completely fine with that.

Here is the garden this week 

Yep, this year's potato harvest is pathetic. I only dug one five gallon bucket 2/3 full, a mere 20 pounds, from a 7x7 bed. But, I learned a lot from this experimental planting. I've also learned first hand that potatoes require more care than just plant and forget until harvest. I have plans to apply what I've learned to more experiments with alternative planting methods next year

The green beans have entered their second production period. They usually have an early summer flush, take a 2-3 week break, then have a second flush of beans from late summer until frost

The pantry is starting to have that end of summer look. Strings of garlic, onions and shallots frame dozens of jars filled with fruit, jams, juices, pickles and sauces. The mini fridge is filled with sauerkraut,  kimchee, fermented kosher dills and extra eggs from the chickens. It all attests to a successfully, abundant season in the garden. And it's not over yet. The next few weeks will see jars of applesauce and dried beans as well as bins of potatoes and winter squash joining the canned goods. It is satisfying to see the physical evidence of all the hard work we put in over the year

Weekly Harvest: 

15 ounces zucchini 

2 pounds 3 ounces peppers 

76 pounds 3 ounces tomatoes 

2 pounds cucumbers 

7 pounds 4 ounces onions 

12 ounces soup beans 

3 pounds green beans 

4 ounces tomatillos 

20 pounds potatoes 

Yearly Total: 

708 pounds 1 ounce