Mimi Sue's Cottage

A home is much more than a house built of lumber, brick, or stone. A home is made of love, sacrifice, and respect. We are responsible for the homes we build. We must build wisely, for eternity is not a short voyage. There will be calm and wind, sunlight and shadows, joy and sorrow. But if we really try, our home can be a bit of heaven here on earth. Thomas S Monson







Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Behind the Fence


This is the view from my kitchen window.

I love looking out on our backyard in the morning when the sun is just
coming up over the mountains. The sun shines through our huge old walnut
tree that provides welcome shade during this long, hot summer.


Behind that white picket fence is our vegetable garden.


There's also an old chicken coop that was here when we bought our lot.

It's barely standing and when it rains the roof leaks but we're going to try to fix it up enough 
so that we can keep it.  A project for when it isn't quite so warm.


We have a compost pile next to the coop.  It makes great compost out of 
leaves, lawn clippings and kitchen scraps.



We put an old Adirondack double chair back there.

I love little spots in the garden to sit and read or dream and plan. 

We've been collecting fallen branches from our big trees to use in our fire pit this fall.



The mister built a couple of boxes this year.  We weren't sure if
there would be enough sun for vegetables since this area is in shade 
until about 11:00.  If they do well, next year he'll build a few more.


He also decided he'd make his own upside down tomato planter.

We've already harvested a few tomatoes from it.



The pumpkins are spreading out.  The grandkids like to pick them
and take them home when they're ready.  And of course they're
great for fall decorations.



Last year I canned 30 pints of green beans.  This year we have lots
of leaves and no blossoms.

Is it the heat?  Is it the shade?


Tomatoes and yellow crookneck squash in this box.


All the planting, weeding and watering is finally paying off.
The harvest has begun.







9 comments:

The Gathering Place said...

You have quite the garden. It certainly hasn't been easy with this hot weather! We have a small garden, mostly tomatoes and cucumbers, but we enjoy the harvest,

Primitive Stars said...

Hello, love your garden pictures, so pretty. The star and pink Hollyhocks look really nice together. Thanks for sharing,Blessings Francine.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Love your back yard and garden.

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Oh I'd love to have a vegetable garden...yours is charming! I just love your fence and the wonderful double adirondack chair!

Lisa said...

See, this is why I hate pinterest and blogs like yours. Now I suck in comparison. We built 8 boxes last year, and this year, conveniently forgot about them. They've harvested waist high grass and weeds. I'm ashamed. Fortunately, there is a fence that shields the view from the judgment of our back door neighbors, but all those driving by can see our failure. Curse you, Mimi. Curse you and your heavenly harvest!

wendy said...

There is nothing more satisfying then to see "harvest" from all you hard work.
I think it is great that you are going to preserve the chicken coop. That will be a fun project.

Gayle said...

Hi Sue - greetings from California! I think NEXT year that YOUR yard will need to be included in the garden tour!

Simple Home said...

What a beautiful view! Your garden is doing well. I didn't get much planted this year, just too busy :)
Blessings,
Marcia

Donna said...

Hi Mimi,
You have a beautiful view from your kitchen window. Your garden looks great and what a wonderful harvest. I love your picket fence.

hugs,
Donna