This is the first year I've planted dahlias. The package said they would be 36" tall and this one is over 6 feet! The package also shows this variety as bright pink with a bright yellow center. Do you think it got put in the wrong package?
Dahlia #2 is much less vivid in color than the photo on its package, but it is about 36" tall.
Today was the day to dig the potatoes. They are Yukon Golds and I have about 15 lbs. to eat this winter. That's about an average crop for this variety.
My back garden is surrounded by a 6 foot high wood fence that goes right down to the ground. These plants are inside another fence as well, a "rabbit-proof" fence (says so right on the package!) that did not keep young rabbits from going through it and decimating the green beans, as you can see. Nothing left for me but a bit of the stalks. They also chewed the beets, chard, and carrots right down to the ground.
The heads of amaranth are so heavy they are bending down. The young leaves are pretty, delicious, and nutritious in a salad or stir fry, while the seeds have a high protein content and are high in other valuable nutrients. Besides which it just looks so pretty amongst all the green in the garden!
All my tomatoes are heirloom varieties, not hybrids. These little sungolds have the most tomato flavor pop you can imagine when you bite into them 
These are called Black Cherry and when they ripen they are a brownish black. They, too, have amazing flavor.
Somebody already took a taste of this German striped tomato. Oh, all right, I'll share!
Painted zinnias
And a whole row of purple zinnias, with a bumblebee.
The August garden . . . last hurrah of exuberant color, busy insects, and juicy fruits before all withers in the frosts of September. Pull up a lawn chair and enjoy the show while there is still time!
What loveliness surrounds you. And yay for the bees!
ReplyDeleteALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
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You have a large garden. Good for you if you can work in it. Mine is small and I'm afraid I don't like to spend too much time working it :-( though from time to time, I try. Nature and wild animals are great, except when they encroach on your work to feed yourself. I try to grow a bit of food for the squirrels and birds and thankfully don't have anything larger getting up to my patio. Enjoy the pretty flowers while you can. Fall is around the corner. xx
ReplyDeleteYour garden is just gorgeous. I am inspired to try growing amaranth. It's so frustrating having creatures that come in and eat things down to the ground though...sympathy!
ReplyDeleteOh, how I know, time is just flying by. Have to remember to stop and enjoy these late days of summer!!!
ReplyDeleteI just love your garden! All the colors and textures are terrific. I only buy heirlooms at market now - they are so flavorful. You sure have giant dahlias!
ReplyDeleteSuch variety of color and loved the beautiful "pink" dahlia. I didn't know they could grow so tall. Have never see the German striped tomato and am curious about the taste.
ReplyDeleteThe German striped tomatoes are more tart than others. Less sugar in them, I guess. Lots of tomato flavor, though.
DeleteCynthia, your garden is beautiful. There are a wide variety of plants. Definitely package of dalhias was mistaken. But I love them. T am amazed why early you dig potatoes. When I was a child my grandparents were digging them in Semptember now local people are digging potatoes now. Do you have frost in September? We rarely have frost in this period.
ReplyDeletePotatoes must be dug when the tops die off or they will rot in the ground. There are later ones you can plant, but I can't buy much variety locally. And sadly, yes, we do get frost in September.
DeleteLovely garden and you know I'm a sucker for a wicker basket x
ReplyDeleteWow! You sure are a busy bee!
ReplyDeleteBlack cherry and German Striped tomatoes are "newys" (probably a word not in the dictionary, but it will suffice) to me. Never heard of them.
I guess they enjoyed " Hughie" doing his job from above?
Still a strange August here, clouds building up, but will Hughie deliver???
Irrespective of what seed packets say, I think Dahlias take no notice of that, it is
the soil that counts. I guess you have good soil???
Cheers
Colin
I have a good bit of clay in my soil, and it was a commercial cornfield for eons before my house was built, packed hard by machinery and depleted of any organic substances and natural fertility. I've worked hard to make it better with the addition of humus, compost, and chicken poo, so it is much more fertile now.
DeleteWhat a beautiful, productive garden, loved the different varieties of tomato. The dahlias are a real delight, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me you cannot trust what it says on the packet! September id drawing ever nearer. See you soon.
ReplyDeleteCounting down the days! :-)
DeleteYour garden is looking goos, your produce too...
ReplyDeleteWow! There's quite a difference between six feet and 36 inches! That dahlia must have been a big surprise to you as it surpassed what you expected. And the spuds . . . yum! Spuds make a meal all by themselves sometimes, don't they? Kinda sad to be thinking about frost already too.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely colors and fruits of your labor. I'm sure the rabbits enjoyed your garden, too, but I'm sure that's not much comfort. :)
ReplyDelete