Yard/Garden Update

We have been gone a lot this summer.
I would like to take a moment and say "I wouldn't have a garden or beautiful yard without the help of Ben & Deb, my sister Audrey, and my mom. Thank you all for being such great caretakers in our absence!" 
We had to water a lot to keep things alive in the yard.
This was one of the most harshest, hottest summers that I can remember (until the refreshing burst of the monsoon season arrived and provided some relief). Because of the record heat in June, most of my plants got a slow start; the heat exhausted them too apparently. But, after July 5th we got some rain and that was a real awakening and growth spurt for my gardens!
The vines really took off on my arch trellis this year. It should look really pretty when it changes to an orange-red color in the Fall. I love it :)

Unfortunately, my carrots didn't do very well. I just planted another two rows of carrots and beets; which I wanted to do anyway because I love rooted veggies in winter.
However, we've been eating and using the beets a lot ~ greens and all :)

My tomato plants are all blossoming. Most of them have tomatoes on them. The fruit just started to change red this week. We've been able to harvest a few after long anticipation! Yum!

Pepper plants are tall and beautiful........

Squash and Zuchini plants are a little behind, but they will catch up fast.....

Mmmmmmmm

Even my collared greens did pretty good this year growing alongside my onions......

Cucumbers are the most high-maintenance plants for me to grow every year. I have to watch them carefully when they are young because of the roly polies. These irritating bugs would chew the bottom part of the stem and collapse the whole plant. A garden is not complete without cucumbers, in my opinion, so I take extra care of these plants. Home grown cucumbers are soooo much better than store bought.

Around the other side of my house, my flower garden is in. Not as pretty as last year but still makes me happy :)

The trees on the north side of my house have grown bigger; it's almost a forest. You wouldn't recognize this place from when we first moved into the house. Much blood and sweat have been shed over making this place a home.

I am also excited to say..... *insert drum roll*.... my tree has produced fruit for the first time; ever!
Not a lot, but it's a start! It made me so happy to see that!

When you have a garden, one of your greatest accessories is a juicer. We've put ours to use making carrot, apple, and beet juice. I have a good supply of beets again this year. Our livers should be well-detoxed this summer.... lol

Isaac loves operating the machine (surprise, surprise) and is a great little helper.

Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food.  

-Hippocrates

There is nothing better than raw veggies........

The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.

-Thomas Edison

Hope you are all enjoying watching your gardens grow; and reaping the rewards! 

Here is to remembering that "You are what you eat!"