An August Walk....part 2

Today a second installment on the post from yesterday. We'll stop a bit and take a look see at what is growing for our table. I'm pretty happy with the container gardening that I chose to do this summer. I am trying out different tomatoes and have found that the determinate ones do best in the containers. They are a sturdier tomato plant and pretty much adapt well to the pot without vining so much. I also have found that they don't wilt so much when they need water. I'll have to check on the variety that I planted. A couple of weeks ago, I found some cucumber seeds and tossed them in with my tomato shown here. They sprouted quickly. I don't know if I will get any cucumbers, but it was fun. I have just planted lettuce around my other two plants. 

 Here is the one tomato in the ground. It is in really good shape......and has been much less work than the ones in containers. It has never wilted and keeps on producing...I know this one is Jet Star. No cracking on the tops and a medium sized tomato. 

 My reliable grape tomato. I pick a pocket full every time I walk by. Sometimes they make it into the house and sometimes not :) This variety is great...no splitting tomatoes and this year...very sweet. I had just picked them, so the plant isn't as full of tomatoes as it could have been for the picture.I have heard that "fruit" from the garden will be sweeter this year because of the heat and dry weather we are experiencing.

This little herb pot was just an idea for something to have next to where I sit when I water. I had some thyme, golden oregano, and parsley to find a spot for and this pot was perfect. I love the way that the golden oregano trails down the pot. 

I planted some regular oregano (marjoram) in my little herb garden. I have read how it takes over, but this clump pretty much stays where it was planted. I love the little purple pink flowers this year. Doesn't the little gnome look pleased with his spot in the yard?

This is the rosemary plant that was planted just this year. It's in my Mary's garden...right next to the herb garden. It needed more sun, so this was the perfect spot to plant it. I've had trouble keeping these from year to year, so this fall I will have to mulch it good.I love the way Rosemary grows...the way it looks...I don't use it much for cooking, but I do love the fragrance.

I've always grown sage. It's one plant that I use in cooking. I love to put the leaves under the skin of turkey or chicken. I mix it in my turkey and chicken stuffing. It's wonderful with a pork roast or just a chop. I'm getting hungry just thinking about the wonderful fall menus coming up.

Here at last are the tomatoes that I picked this morning. Just enough for the two of us and maybe a few to give away. I keep them at room temp. and store them stem side up. I pick them when they still have some ripening to do. Yesterday, I found two of my really big tomatoes...still green...lying on the ground next to the plants. They had been eaten like an apple, but not finished. It had to be a bigger animal, because I remember where they were on the plant and they were high up. So, my little scamp the chipmunk isn't to blame this time. Could our raccoon friend be back? 

This morning is humid and the heat will build to 93 deg or better. Joe and I were out walking and couldn't go far, because of the humidity. I guess we're in for the day. I have lots to do...housework you know. Then knitting on that winter scarf, reading my book, and fixing our meal. Joe has hardly cooked out this year, because of our hot deck.So, I've done most of the cooking. Maybe pasta today. Yesterday we had chicken salad on a bed of lettuce with fruit around it. Of course no meal is complete right now without those luscious tomatoes. 

Keep cool, Balisha  

PS...We are still watching the Olympics. We have been thrilled with the swimming, gymnastics, boxing, rowing, and beach volleyball. Our kids are such great athletes and their stories are really heart warming. We watched Michael become the greatest Olympic athlete ever with so many medals. I also have cheered on the  Brits...their team of women rowers took the gold yesterday and I was cheering right along with their  proud 

countrymen. All in all...a fabulous Olympics.

Me again