Fall Friday Fresh

It was fun harvesting peppers, Chinese broccoli, and other leafy plants this cool, fall morning. My hands still smell like cilantro. The garden is breathing in the chilly night air and the cold-loving plants are happy. Runners on Summit Avenue have switched from tees and shorts to hoodies and sweats, but they still pause in front of the garden to pick our sweet strawberries.

Go big green!

807!
We are not done harvesting, but as of September 19, we've donated 807 pounds to the food shelf. Thank you planters, pickers, deliverers, and partners.

Evening garden

Next week it is supposed to frost. Many of the squash have been cut and tomato production is coming to a close. We are having a great year.

Shots taken the evening of September 13 in the garden


We couldn't have done it without our volunteers and quality seeds and transplants from Johnny's Select Seeds; the University of Minnesota's student garden, Cornercopia; and, Friend School of Minnesota's Plant Sale. We greatly appreciate the support we've received from House of Hope congregation, staff, and lay leadership, and we can't forget to tip our hats to the irrigation!

Volunteers come in all shapes and sizes

We happily get help from volunteers of all ages.

 Sometimes with smaller hands, keener eyes, and a willing spirit, we reach into those tight spots, and discover hidden treasures...

...other times it's just plain strong backs!

Aromatics

Harvesting first thing in the morning is the best! I hardly knew where to begin until I saw a whale-like cucumber lurking below the vines. Tomatoes were literally dropping into my hands, and within the hour I had harvested several bags of peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, chard, and Chinese broccoli. A fifty-pound morning was pretty good for the two hours I worked.

Cutting the sage and thyme was the highlight. Perfume filled the air as the scissors sliced away.