In the Garden: Summer is Over

My garden hit the dust a while ago (that three week trip in July spelled the end). The only things left are two basil plants which are enjoying the cooler air. Giles, Felix, and I have been working now to make next year easy and successful--everything weeded out and the beds freshly tilled. As soon as people in town start raking up their leaves, we will be bringing home big bags to spread, till under again, and this year, we plan to cover the beds with clear plastic anchored with stones. All of this in hopes that next spring we will simply be able to till and plant. No annual weeds to clear out and NO BERMUDA (the bane of the Southern garden).

Our garden is a big rectangle with beds bordered in upright brick. The paths are covered with black plastic, then 4-5 inches of mulch (this year's improvement). Just keeping weeds out of the paths this past year was a big help. Next year should be the best ever. Green beans, tomatoes, corn, squash, zucchini, cucumber, cantaloupe, basil, cosmos, and marigolds!