This will be the largest of the “update” posts. This year we built quite a nice garden and planted an orchard. This will hopefully server us well for many years to come. We’re experimenting with it all this summer, hoping to build on both our successes and our failures.

I’m breaking this one down into sections, still following the chronological approach to show the changes over the past few months.

The Garden - Veggie Boxes

IN the garden, I have two “veggie” boxes and Justine has two “flower boxes” Both have done really well as the summer has progressed. Here’s the progression on the veggies.

Late June

By late June, the plants were well established. In the “back” box we had kale, arugula, lettuce, peas, beans, cilantro and cucumbers growing.

Late June

The “front” box was the squash box. We plated bush and regular delicata as well as one “giant” pumpkin. As you can see, they were doing very well by this time.

Late June

Another view of the “squash box”.

Early July

First harvest! We got lots of kale and arugula, along with some cilantro. And our first peas.

Early July

At this point we had to concede that we had over-planted the squash box. It was a little out of control…

Early July

The squash were overflowing the planter box.

Early July

The “back” box was doing well. After harvesting some of the kale, the peppers started to come back a bit. We were harvesting arugula, cilantro and lettuce every time we were on the island. We added a trellis for the peas, to keep them up and off of everything else.

Late July

The pumpkin was now growing towards the back box. The delicata were climbing the fence, and we had lost of flowers and fruit on all of them!

Late July

The back box continued to flourish. In addition to everything else we were harvesting, we started to get cucumbers! They had also now expanded and started to climb the fence.

Late July

Out-of-control pumpkins!

Late July

Our first pumpkin was starting to grow and put on size!

Late July

The delicata squash were also growing like crazy. We’re going to have lots of them…

Late July

More delicata squash, in the box.

Late July

We have been giving away as much kale as we can. I keep trying to cut it back to give the peppers room to grow.

Late July

The cucumbers, much like the squash are taking over. The peas are finally starting to run their course, but the beans are starting to produce. We finished off the arugula, lettuce and cilantro.

Late July

Another view of the big pumpkin plant.

Early August

The leaves on the squash plants are starting to show some signs of age and/or stress from the heat. Hard to say if this is normal, or if I’m not getting enough water to them. I do have a sprinkler running every day, so hopefully it is enough.

Early August

Our one pumpkin that has survived continues to grow.

The Garden - Flower Boxes

Justine’s flowers started off behind mine, but have picked up speed as the summer has progressed. Justine planted an amazing assortment, and we’ll have lots of beautiful cut flowers as the summer progresses.

Late June

At this point the “back flower box” was starting to show some signs of life. The sunflowers were up, and a few of the other types were starting to grow nicely.