StoneGable is in full bloom! The gardens are riotous... producing veggies and herbs and flowers and fruit.
It has been a wonderful gardening year so far. Beautiful weather, low humidity and lots of sunshine.
The oppressive heat and high humidity that has much of the country in a vise grip will arrive here later this week. So I thought I 'd better get a few pictures before it is too hot!
Here is a look around StoneGable's vegetable garden and beyond...
Peach trees are home to some baby robins
A face only a mother could love
Shallots, new to the garden this year
Lettuce
Fennel
Zucchini... lots and lots
Collard Greens
Onions
Beets
Eggplant
Can you see the vegetable forming under the flower... I just love eggplant flowers!
Tomatoes... several varieties... beefsteak, plum, grape and pear...
Peppers
Cucumbers... look for a great easy pickle recipe this week.
Beans, wax and green
Birdhouse gourds harvested last fall and left out to "season". These will be scrubbed, and stained for decorative use this fall.
The herb garden...
Thyme
Mint... spearmint and peppermint
Parsley... lots of that too. Parsley is a cooking staple.
Nasturtiums, basil, rosemary, marigolds, fall chives, dill, oregano
Lots of zineas everywhere! They are such happy flowers.
Little surprises here and there.
Yvonne, you have to tell us your secret for the lack of weeds anywhere and how do you keep the animals out, like squirrels and raccoons? I'm in the city and I almost need to stand guard all night! Everything is growing beautifully. I love your raised beds. xo,
Keeping weeds out of my garden is a real chore! Because we live with farm fields all around us there are plenty of weeds that blow over and invade our property. Three things have really helped to keep weeds at bay , or at least somewhat under control.
1~ raised beds and mulched paths. Although these beds are larger than most typical raised beds they are still easy to weed. Especially when they are slightly overplanted and the vegetables leave little space for weeds to sprout. Next summer we are adding a large path around the whole garden to keep grass from growing tall around our boxes.
2~ Organic Preen for Vegetable gardens. I have done lots of research on this before I began using it in my garden 2 years ago. It is made from corn husks and inhibits weed germination. It helps but does not control the weed population completely.
3~ Good old fashioned weeding. One of the first things I do early each morning is grab a cup of coffee (still in my jammies) and wander around the garden. I have a long handled weeder and a heart shaped hoe out in the garden ready for use. Picking weeds and pulling off dead leaves, deadheading flowers and puttering while praying and thanking God is a wonderful way to start each day. I also take my harvest basket and gather some veggies ready to use or can! My husband does the same thing (although not in his jammies) after work. Because we do a little bit each day, it stays clear of most weeds, and is a very enjoyable time.
About the bunnies, squirrels and such~ we don't have any! That is... we don't see any. Because of living in open farmland our dear feathered friends like hawks and eagles take care of them.
We also have foxes. So the little critters that think of the garden as their own personal smorgasbord aren't around much at all.
Barb, thanks for asking!
If you want me look for me in the garden!
I am participating in...
~WOW US WEDNESDAY at Savvy Southern Style
Everything looks happy, healthy and gorgeous Yvonne! I usually plant at least one eggplant because I think the blooms are beautiful. Beets-love them! Nothing better than simple steamed beets with butter (well ok, pickled beets are really good too)-enjoy:@)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous!! If my garden looked like that I would be there too!!
ReplyDeleteYvonne -- you have a great garden with so much variety. I am sure you are in the garden a lot tending. I checked out your son's blog and enjoyed his article; I am sure you are proud of his work! Have a great day. Love that your are enclosed by all that corn. Joni
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat to see your garden in all its splendor! I'm so glad you took those photos when you did before the heat sets in. Just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteYvonne, you have to tell us your secret for the lack of weeds anywhere and how do you keep the animals out, like squirrels and raccoons? I'm in the city and I almost need to stand guard all night! Everything is growing beautifully. I love your raised beds. xo,
ReplyDeleteYvonne, I love your garden. I told my hubby that we need to do a raised bed garden next year. I want to try and grow my own stuff instead of having to buy it all.
ReplyDeleteOg it looks devine Yvonnne! I need to start sorting my pots of herbs. I haven't yet been through all The menus for Monday so glad to be back here and take a look at the last few I havn't visited yet. Last time you posted on the corn field I could not leave a comment (blogger) and still wanted to say that I look forward to some pics when the field turns "Blonde".
ReplyDeleteVeronica
www.tasselsandtwigs.blogspot.com
Your garden is lovely and abundant! I never tire of looking at gardens!
ReplyDeleteYvonne,
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks so lovely. I am behind in my weeding but after seeing your lovely garden, I am going out to weed!!
Cynthia
Oh ! What a beautiful part of the country you live in and a gorgeous garden!!! Thanks for sharing the sight!!!
ReplyDeleteYour garden is fabulous Yvonne! Everything is just beautiful and abundant. I am so hoping that my plans to have raised garden beds next year comes to fruition. Eggplant is on the top of my list! I love eggplant and I agree that the flower is very pretty. What a shame they are not edible!
ReplyDelete~ Tracy
Your garden is absolutely beautiful Yvonne!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day,
Gail
I love your garden, it looks so peaceful. I used to have a few raised beds at our old house, but here at the new one our HOA will not allow it, especially being right on the golf course it's hard to get away with even a tomato cage. But I have herbs tucked in here and there through out my landscape, so I still feel like a gardener.
ReplyDeleteYvonne, your garden is FANTASTIC! So many beautiful veggies and flowers. I enjoyed seeing the pictures. The tips on how you keep weeds away are helpful too. Love this post!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Yvonne, I love the way you start your day, I may have to start doing just that, maybe do a little tai chi outdoors, too. I will look for that organic mulch product. If you saw the size of my garden (think postage stamp!) you would really get a chuckle. Thanks again. xo,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Makes me long to make my dream of a kitchen garden a reality! Well done!
ReplyDeleteYvonne! Are you sure they aren't pics from Martha Stewart's garden??
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing!! Is there any area that you are not gifted! I think not! Love and miss you!
Barb H.
Hello, my friend! Your gardens are so beautiful and LUSH with goodies! We have never been able to have a veg. garden, since we have so little sun. However, I am thinking since we removed several trees we now have an area that gets sun. IF we can clean it all out of all the WEEDS and brush, maybe next year we could do a garden! You have inspired me! It is a hill so we could terrace it.....oh Joe is gonna be thrilled:):):) Sure wish I ahd some FRESH tomatoes from your garden! XO, Pinky
ReplyDeleteYour raised beds are beautiful. I am trying raised beds out for the first time this year and so far, I am loving them. I love the marigolds in the herb garden and the flowering watering can. So fun.
ReplyDeleteYvonne your garden looks amazing!! The only thing I grow is basil, parsley and tomatoes but mine are all in pots. I would love to do a raised bed but the deers would have a feast! Martina
ReplyDeleteLove the garden! We would love to have a garden. Maybe next year we can.
ReplyDeleteYvonne,
ReplyDeleteYour garden is gorgeous, dear friend! All those bountiful fruits of your labors must be quite rewarding. I, myself, would love to catch a glimpse of you in your jammies tending the garden. Real life "stuff" is the BEST! As are freshly grown veggies!
Fondly,
Pat
What an absolutely beautiful garden Yvonne. Love your tips on weeds and organic gardening. The baby robin is so cute.
ReplyDeleteSam
I would love to have gardens like yours...they are so pretty to look at! I love your raised beds...planning on doing that next year. :) Enjoy the goodness that comes from them!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Brandi
What a wonderful garden you have! I did a small raised bed this year for my tomatoes and cilantro-so far so good! Would love a garden like yours.
ReplyDelete-Lynn
What a beautiful garden!
ReplyDeleteWow, such a beautiful garden full of yummy and lovely things! And I will have to pick up some of the organic preen, thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteKat :)
Hello Yvonne,
ReplyDeleteyour garden looks amazing. The raised beds are a good idea inmids the wide area. Your vegetable and flowers look are all in perfect condition.
Best greetings, Johanna
Yvonne,
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful! Gardening is such a pleasure and nothing beats produce you grow yourself!
I am living vicariously through your garden today!
I am totally impressed..Look at the abundance..Who needs a farmer's market?Your neighbors must love you..Bet you will share many a fine thing from your beautiful gardens:)
ReplyDeleteBravo..vraiment..c'est magnifique!
You take amazing photos and have amazing vegetables to take pictures of. Lucky you! You really are blessed! And such a beautiful area!
ReplyDeleteWe are lucky to get a garden in my neck of the woods. Here in Idaho, the past two years...we've had a very short summer. We didn't get things planted this year until around the 10th of June. We are just getting peas! Now that's heaven. Fresh out of the garden. I'm so happy when I read your blog!
Wow, now that is a impressive garden!!!
ReplyDeleteYou have soo much growing there!!
I love the image of you in your jammies out in the garden early morning...that made me chuckle!! - if I had a great garden like that I think Id do the same - what a great way to start the day!
Thanks for sharing - Im off to pick out my own weeds!
Oh my your garden and flowers looks just wonderful and healthy. I love the backdrop of the corn field. I'm glad you are enjoying the great weather. We are getting it too. Have a great day! Pamela
ReplyDeleteSpoken like a true gardener, Yvonne. I'd be out in that beautiful garden first thing each morning too. I often do the same each morning here, but not in my jammies. ;-) I don't grow vegetables, but we do have an herb garden. I like the nasturtiums growing in yours. Lovely! Thanks for sharing all this beauty. Definitely WOW!
ReplyDeleteHello from your neighbor at Wow US Wednesday. Everything is so green and healthy looking. You must have had plenty of rain. I love stopping by to visit your blog.
ReplyDeleteYour garden is a total dream. Everything looks soooo perfect, I cannot wait to have mine next summer, I know who to come for advice!! I could reach in and pick at those wonderful looking fruits and vegetables..
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful and healthy. You have wowed me for sure. I can't image such lovely weather and gorgeous garden.
ReplyDeleteOH MY GOODNESS, What a beautiful garden, flowers and vegetables! I really mean beautiful. The plants are wonderful and look picture perfect. Your did a great job on your photographs. I have the same problem as Barb, I'm in the city and some critter is rooting up my mulch and pine straw beds. I can't believe it, I can't imagine what it could be, and don't want to know. I just want it to goooo. Thanks for sharing your bounty and beauty
ReplyDelete~Emily
The French Hutch
I am speechless in looking at that garden. What a feast! Oh, I noticed you have Italian Countryside dishes....me, too! Love 'em! (But not as much as your garden!). Linda
ReplyDeleteYvonne, you are so inspiring! Your garden is beautiful! I pray that one day I can cook like you. My husband probably prays too! Have a good day!
ReplyDeleteJennider
Nothing is better than eating from your garden. Yours is so lovely, I'd like to have my coffee there too.
ReplyDeleteMimi
Hi Yvonne, love the garden tour..it is amazing looking. We too are surrounded by farm property and little predators! Oh my it is a chore keeping the flowers for myself...they want them and I feel like I have to fight them just to keep my roses growing. Anyhoo...your pictures are gorgeous and I love the look of your yard and flowers. Great work.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Debbie
Your gardens are so beautiful. I may have to start doing just that, maybe do a little tai chi outdoors, too. I will look for that organic mulch product.
ReplyDeleteSuch wonderful variety of God's bounty surrounding your home, Yvonne! You are a good caretaker.
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing every inch & learning how you manage it so well. I've had deer eating ALL my daylilies but thankfully they're leaving the tomatoes & peppers & eggplant alone.
Stay inside today...its going to be brutal.
Hugs,
Rett
Hi Yvonne,
ReplyDeleteIs that a nasturtium in the first photo? They are great in a leafy salad, not only colourful but a great peppery note.
Beautiful garden.
Dianne
YONKS
X
Your gardens are beautiful. I love the backdrop of corn. Our evenings are way to hot for tomatoes to be turning. We've been under an extreme heat warning for over a week now. I guess tomorrow is suppose to be our worst day, already hitting a 100 and above, I'm wondering how it can get any worse. Lots of indoor activities in our area. Try to stay cool once it hits your area. hugs ~lynne~
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful to see your beautiful storybook garden! I don't know how you do it all. I feel special whenever you take the time to visit, Yvonne!
ReplyDeleteYvonne, your garden is a masterpiece. I am going to be certain to show this post to my husband. He will love it, too.♥
ReplyDeleteYou're garden is so beautiful, Yvonne!!! Definitely something to be proud of!
ReplyDeleteYour garden is absolutamente beautiful, love the tomatos, gloria
ReplyDeleteYour garden is lovely, Yvonne! Like you, I enjoy venturing out into my garden early in the morning, to weed, to listen to the birds' songs, and to pray and praise God for the bounty. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting the cottage. I hope to see you for Time Travel Thursday. The link goes up tonight, and your beautiful garden - or any other new post of your choosing - could be shared.
Blessings,
Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
So much goodness ~ and beautiful photos! No wonder your menus are full of delicious dishes. :-) Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeletexo
Pat
So much goodness ~ and beautiful photos! No wonder your menus are full of delicious dishes. :-) Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeletexo
Pat
Everything looks so healthy. We are having to water like crazy to keep our things from burning up right now. The water bill reflects all the extra water we are using. I wish we had room for an actual garden, but we had to choose between landscaping and a garden and I picked the flowers. We have herbs, tomatoes and peppers in pots.
ReplyDeleteI'm so envious of your wide-open spaces for gardening, Yvonne! I would love to plant more veggies but our yard is surrounding by huge Sugar Maple trees so shade is a really issue.
ReplyDeleteIt has been a real chore keeping everything watered here in this heat wave but my tomatoes are loving it!
Your garden is just amazing! I gave up fighting the deer , I just planted a few tomatoes and cucumbers.
ReplyDeleteI showed dh your post, trying to inspire him!
Stay cool, thank the good Lord He inspired someone to invent air conditioning! How did we ever live without it?
Thank you for visiting my blog and introducing me to yours!! I have been browsing your archives and what a beautiful blog you have. The photographs are marvelous. My sister has a food blog so I have emailed her about yours and your Monday link party.
ReplyDeleteLinda