in the garden - managing expectations

Japanese eggplant

Providence, RI

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In the garden my mother was a strict realist. 

Whenever she would plant something she would blow it a kiss and say, 

"Good luck. If it lives.... it lives. If it dies.... it dies."

I am trying to channel that sentiment.

Herbs - no problem. All seem to flourish.

Japanese eggplant - Harvested one, 2 more on the plant and a few additional flowers look promising.

Onions - Harvested at least 8 so far. They are now curing. More to come.

Tomatoes - Nothing ripe yet althou there are at least 3 - 4 tomatoes on each of the plants. 

I am hopeful.

Cucumbers

Providence, RI

Cucumbers - Harvested one. There are currently some new tiny babies .... but the current rains and lack of sunshine seem to have stopped all growth. I have concerns.

Female squash blossom with "baby"

Providence, RI

Patty Pan Squash - Okay, big learning curve on these. Last month saw sooooo many blossoms - but they kept falling off. Every day I would pick up 10 or more and yet no fruit! 

Finally read about the difference between male and female blossoms - duh!

Seems that the female blossoms take a long time to actually arrive at the party..... the males get there early to attract the bees.

So after weeks of worry, checking my blossoms every morning to see if a female had arrived, and wondering if I would need to hand pollinate - I suddenly found one "with child"!

At this point I have 4 patty pan squash......

Patty Pan Squash

Providence, RI

Pumpkins - Well those female blossoms still have not arrived! The stems of the plants look like something is eating away at them..... like a lack of nourishment. The soil? Ants? Missing mineral?

My dreams of a new pumpkin patch are seeming thwarted........

However, I live in hope. 

And try not to cost average each tiny vegetable that I harvest from my little garden in the city.