We have had a lot of rain lately and it doesn't look like it is going to stop. This has caused almost swamp like conditions in my garden and over the last week it has had its effect on the vegetables. My green beans have quit altogether, luckily I have managed to get a decent amount of them. Most of my pumpkin plants aren't looking very healthy, but the pumpkins are ok. Actually I have harvested the large ones and taken them home before they would be affected by the wet weather (had to take the car out to the allotment, normally I go on my bike ). They are looking good, weighing between 10 and 13 kilos (22-28 pounds). The hokkaido pumpkin I first took home turned orange in the end, the others which are still on the vine have turned orange as well.
Here you can see them in the garden:

And here they are in my kitchen with some other things from the garden: zucchinis, cherry tomatoes and cucumbers, along with a big bowl of elderberries from the back garden:

I took out all my summer carrots, because some of them were rotting in the ground. They were rather small, but I think I'll get two meals out of them. The corn is doing great as you can see (as are all the weeds ), not ready yet, almost can't wait till they are, I love corn on the cob.  The cherry, yellow and roma tomatoes are turning red, I've tasted them and they are delicious.

Finally, last week between al goings on I did some canning. I made 10 jars of blackberry jam (from our own garden of course), 5 jars of strawberry/raspberry jam (from the local orchard), 4 jars bread and butter pickles and I pressure canned for the first time: 7 jars of green beans. The pressure canning took quite some time, but that's because I had to read the manual again, and I did a dry run (ok there was water involved ). Next time it will take less time I guess.

I have planned to can lots of tomato sauce, some salsa, chutney, nectarines, and applesause of course. For the applesauce I will use some of our own apples, mixed with other varieties from our local orchard.

I think that's it for now, I hope to be back to more regular blogging from now on.

blessings, Ellen

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Posted by Cathy

Ellen,
Your pumpkins look GREAT!! I just love pumpkins, so was so excited to see that you had harvested them...proud of you my friend.
Thinking of you and love ya,
Cathy

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Posted by abundantblessings

Looks like the garden is doing well!!!

I've awarded you!! Come see my blog!!!

Blessings,
Laurie

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