Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Harvest

There will be several more tomatoes and a few more onions. Maybe garlic, maybe not. Maybe lettuce, maybe not. This is the extent of the potato harvest, and let me tell you, it was a joy to dig this stuff out of the dirt.

I've found out this summer that deep down in my soil soul, I'm not a gardener. I had hoped I was. I love the idea of free food, and to just walk out to the back yard and grab a salad is all the excitement I need. But the weeding, the watering, and the planning ahead all defeated me this time around.

In case you're not from southern California, it's hot and dry here. For your own safety, and to make your water go as far as possible, you need to avoid the day's heat. Some people get out and pull weeds before going to work. They water the garden when they get home. People are dedicated to their gardens. I admire that, and I love the sharing when people plant more than they can eat.

(Hint to my neighbors: I've been watering the clementine tree. Remember that when you're wondering what to do with that extra tomato!)

31 comments:

Dina said...

It's a beautiful (even if not bountiful) harvest, almost-farmer Petrea!

Pasadena Adjacent said...

Maybe the bounty was less then bountiful - but your staging is rather nice

Kalei's Best Friend said...

The weeds this year are the worst!.. omg.. its an endless cycle... as soon as u think you've accomplished, it starts right back... not bad for a first time Petrea--next year will be better... don't give up...Mother Nature is testing u :-)

Anonymous said...

Next thing, it'll be milking goats, keeping sheep in the backyard, carding and spinning wool and knitting shapeless sweaters....

William Kendall said...

My parents had a vegetable garden for many years- and as time went on and Dad had to do more of the work, since Mom's arthritis prevented it- the garden got smaller and smaller.

Petrea Burchard said...

I think I'll stick to the farmers' markets from now on!

Petrea Burchard said...

William, my mother had a fabulous garden. She was outdone only by our next door neighbor, who to this day has almost a farm in his back yard, with berries and corn and every vegetable you can think of. It is his meditation.

BettyS said...

My parents always had a HUGE garden. The kind that produced bushels of extras to give away, and the high school kids sneaked in at night to steal watermelons from. Mom is now 90, and Sunday she told me she dug up a few potatoes so far, lots of lettuce, some onions. I think gardening is hard, hard work - I didn't appreciate how much so until I grew up and tried to do it myself the first time! And Mom still grows more than I do.

Book Dragon said...

Very nice! We haven't tried potatoes but did try corn one year. We're still working on pumpkins. So far they've come too early but we learned a lot each year and hope to do better this time.

Oh, mains? chickens. Don't forget the chickens.

Petrea Burchard said...

I'll take one of those watermelons if she's got too many, Betty.

It is now legal to have chickens in your back yard in Pasadena, BD. No roosters, though, and for good reason.

BettyS said...

She's not gardening on that scale anymore, Petrea. But she did say she has one melon about the size of a marble so far. Ohio had a rough winter, so she got a late start. One of my favorite vendors at the Villa Parke Farmers Market has great melon right now ...

Anonymous said...

Those taters look tempting.

Petrea Burchard said...

I didn't make it to the market this morning, Betty, but I like Villa Parke's.

Karin, we're having some tonight. I'll let you know.

Eric Baker said...

That there is the first step to some au naturale home cookin'. Also, is a nice little contribution towards your West California Statehood Day party plans!

Petrea Burchard said...

Ha! Yeah, like that's going to happen.

Bellis said...

That's a good yield from one potato, I'm very impressed. As for tomatoes, we gave up on the "Heirloom" kind and stuck to delicious little cherry tomatoes, which cropped abundantly and for a long time. But it's far too much work: ants tunnel underneath, caterpillars eat the leaves and you can't take a vacation in case you miss the crop. So now I'm with you, Petrea - at the Farmer's Market.

Petrea Burchard said...

I should clarify that these potatoes were grown from several "seed" potatoes, not one potato. You can buy seed potatoes, but it's not necessary. Just let a few potatoes sit in a cool, dry place while they grow roots from their eyes, then plant them.

Unknown said...

Simplicity at its best. Lovely composition, Petrea!

LOLfromPasa said...

I am impressed!

Petrea Burchard said...

Thanks, José!

LOL, I admit I am, too!

Katie said...

Cool to be able to eat veggies from your own garden! But I'm glad you admitted that you're not a gardener, even if you love the idea of being one, so I can come clean as well. My mom has always had amazing gardens, and although I've long enjoyed the fruits (and vegetables!) of her labor, I never could get into gardening. Granted I currently live in an apartment with no yard, but even when I had a yard, I just couldn't get into gardening. Maybe when I retire!

Petrea Burchard said...

Katie, when we were first married I loved tending the garden. We didn't grow food, but we made our back yard into something lovely. Right now our back yard is something the dog loves!

Ann Erdman said...

You, Margaret and Liz seem to be following the same tomato muse on your respective blogs this week. Homegrown tomatoes are so beautiful and tasty!

Petrea Burchard said...

'Tis the season, Ann!

dive said...

Oooh, scrummy.
Next time you're over here, Petrea, you can take back a big bag of our rain.

Petrea Burchard said...

Thanks, Dive, I'll be glad to have it. The way things are going for our farmers, I might need to bring back a big bag of food, too.

Gunn said...

I like the composition.
Nice.

Petrea Burchard said...

Thank you, Gunn. I have been putting subsequent cherry tomatoes directly into my mouth.

Ms M said...

Good photo! And glad you are starting to see "fruits of your labor".
I'm not a gardener in my soul or soil. But I greatly admire those who are.

Petrea Burchard said...

Thanks, Ms M. I wish I had a gardener living here as grocery prices rise.

TheChieftess said...

I sooo relate to your gardening endeavors and misadventures!!!