We just had a hurricane followed by Nor' Easter here. The garden tomatoes, peppers, etc. were harvested before Sandy and Athena (now our winter storms are going to get names too?) The chard and kale were left outside and are still doing well, except for the Swiss Chard in the fence boxes that fell victim to squirrels or some other hungry critter in the snow. Luckily, we still have some in the raised bed box that is protected by fencing. The snow and cold temperatures brought an abrupt end to the outdoor growing season. Any herbs or annuals left out are done now. Below is a picture of the last harvest from the raised bed box. Pictured are red pepper, tomatoes and cubano pepper.

This marks the beginning of the indoor growing season with orchids, bulbs, aerogardens (for greens and cherry tomatoes). Now is a good time to start amarylis for blooming in time for the holidays. Orchids usually start blooming in January, lighting up the window when everything outside is dreary.

It's that time of year again. The garden is slowing down as the days grow shorter. We've had good harvests of herbs, chard, kale, pears and small cubano peppers. The tomatoes and red peppers have been pretty slow this year. I have to admit I saw less bees around here than in previous years and wonder if that had an effect. Here is a sample harvest from the past summer:

The purple petunias were wonderful this year

Sometimes when it's sweltering, sitting outside in the garden shade brings real relief. The addition of a small water garden with a small pump powered "fountain" can really make you feel you are in cool retreat. The water garden can be a small tub or barrel. No outlet? No problem. There are small solar powered units available and you can visit Kinetic Fountains and purchase one there. Pictured below is a tub garden with a small pump powered fountain.

Seems the dog days of summer are here earlier than usual. We usually get this heat in August so the flowers aren't too happy with it. They get watered early and moved into shade if possible. Ah, the moveable garden has some benefits. Pictured here today are clematis (one of my spring favorites), Voodoo Rose, water lily leaves (no flowers yet) and petunias. Petunias don't like the strong sun so they sit in the shade until late afternoon.

The occupants of the raised bed box (tomatoes, red and habanero peppers, Swiss Chard and radishes) are thriving in the heat and get watered early in the morning before the strong sun arrives.