Modest Harvest

I watched a baby patty pan squash form within the heart of the leaves of the plant in the bucket in our makeshift garden.  The one I was watching is still on the vine, and a surprise patty pan popped up out of nowhere, so big that I had to harvest it as soon as I noticed it.

So far we have gotten two Valencia tomatoes, which are medium-sized, dark orange in color, and full of flavor.  The Valencia plants have already set two more tomatoes, with flowers that look promising for more.  We have also gotten over 2 pints of yellow pear tomatoes, more than we know what to do with, and two baseball-sized round zucchinis.  

We originally ordered seeds from Annie's Heirloom Seeds.  The squash seeds sprouted and became these great plants that actually produced.  The tomato and basil sprouts did not survive, so on Mother's Day we went to the local nursery, just down the road, and got the basil, Valencia, and yellow pear plants as replacements.  All were replanted in 3 gallon buckets on our little apartment patio.

This little garden was what drove us to look for a house, where we could have a real garden, and possibly enough room to cook our own produce and can or freeze food for quick dinners.  After three months, we found the house that we will take possession of in a little over 1 week.  Next year, hopefully we will have a more established garden, more established roots, and a bigger harvest.

-吴碧芙