The Beginning of Summer, a Garden Update

Today is a big homework day for me, and I have to admit I hesitated a little when Chris suggested taking a break to check on the garden. I am so glad he did! It was a nice change of pace to begin to see the fruits of our labors. So here’s an update to mark the beginning of summer in the garden, beginning at our back door. Hope you enjoy!

Our blueberry bush is cruising right along with lots of flower buds and what looks like the start of our very first blueberry:

My Gerbera daisy plant is really going for it, too. We had a rough start this spring, but it has really rallied around, producing two huge red blooms earlier this week (now in a vase in my kitchen), and a third one here:

At the garden gate, Chris and I were greeted by blooming Jasmine vines. I was really starting to wonder if these guys were going to make it.

Honestly, I’ve been doing so much weeding lately that I think I had lost sight of the goal of gardening… until I caught a glimpse of these baby tomatoes.

Between the four Rutgers plants, two Romas, and one Big Boy, we currently have six or seven baby green tomatoes. I can’t wait to pick our first juicy red tomato!

The potatoes are also doing really well. Thriving! I read that when the plants are in full bloom with flowers, we can begin harvesting some new potatoes. Can’t wait!

I am confused by these weird plants, though. They seem to be part of the red potatoes and have been growing simultaneously with them since the beginning. Anyone know what these are and if I need to pull them up? A Google search has turned up zero results.

Our heirloom purple-podded pole beans are struggling along, but they’re making it. The rain storms and ensuing heat wave wave taken their toll, but I think they’ll really benefit once I get the irrigation system fixed.

We now have three bell pepper plants (two from the Master Gardener’s sale last weekend), one red bell, and one yellow bell. Can you tell we love peppers?

The Provence lavender plant I put in the bed by the back porch last year is just finally taking off…

… while these English lavender plants I put in a few months ago are loving having this bit of garden space to themselves.

The pineapple sage next to them is perking up, as well.

Finally… It’s summer in the garden!