August is here, and things be a-growin'

The above is an accurate depiction of my face when I wander out to the garden these days.

[Eyes are lemon cukes, nose is a hybrid - whoops! - of a norm and lemon cuke. Mouth is a colander full of cherry tomatoes.]

I have gotten at least two colanders full of cherry tomatoes (about 3 quarts to a colander). I lost count of the July tomatoes, but they're still pumping strong. Big Boys are turning, I've picked a half dozen of those. And cucumbers? Don't get me started! I had to learn how to make pickles because they were hanging around the fridge too long (I refuse to let anything go bad!). The picture to the right is from a week and a half ago, so imagine all that times a whole lot.

I also got my first red pepper today; I've picked several of the purple peppers already though.

On a somber note, my onions and garlic have been overrun by everything else. Poor guys, I didn't realize just how big everything would get around them! They'll still be yummy, just tiny. 

I also have come to realize that the patio cherry tomatoes aren't nearly as delectable, nor are the plants as healthy looking as the in-the-ground tomatoes. I think I'm going to cut them back soon, and plant some lettuce in the containers, or some other sort of low-maintenance crop that will last through the fall. Then after than, I bet I could even plant some garlic in them and overwinter them! Either way, I've learned tomatoes are too big for a pot. Perhaps a determinate variety, but certainly not the kind I tried out.

Next week, no surprise, it's time for me to learn sauce! Mom is hauling out the grinder for me (thanks Mom!) and I'll be churnin' away.

Also, apples are ready: http://www.lymanorchards.com/. YES.