Fuschia flower & (edible) fruits – click to enlarge
Normally the fuschias would be sleeping in our greenhouse or solarium by now, but this year they’re still outside, partying on. It’s because we’ve had an unusually warm fall so far: I don’t think our night time temperatures have yet dipped below 10 degrees (50 Fahrenheit).
As a result there’s been a battle raging in the garden, between the summer veggies – who just won’t let go – and the fall veggies, who are desperate to win my attention.
Every time I go into the garden to pick our dinner, I’m torn between using the summer crops while they’re still producing, or letting them go for compost and moving on to the new.
I seem to hear loud shouts from every direction:
“We may be teeny, but nothing tops zucchini!” say the summer squash.
“Tomatoes unite! We’re determined to keep on growing even if we have to form a coalition to do so!” say the sauce tomatoes.
“Let Us! Let Us! Let us be your dinner instead,” cry the fall lettuces, who believe we need more salad in our diet.
“I admit my heads are small these days – but I’m still delicious and nutritious!” pleads the broccoli, who’s been feeding us for the past five months.
“Pick ME! Pick ME!” shout the mustard and mizuna, who have lost their patience and believe it’s long past time for a stir-fry.
Meanwhile the turnips, cry out, “Our Turn! Our Turn!”
While the beets say matter-of-factly, “Forget all those fancy veg – you simply can’t beat beets!”
So far “summer” has tended to win out – probably because of that other, more constant voice in my head (my mother, saying “Waste not, want not”). But I’m feeling more and more pressure from those great looking fall crops that to date, I’ve barely touched. Perhaps it is indeed time for a stir-fry and some roast beets.
Eye on Environment 
Wow, that tomato looks awesome! In Melbourne mine are only flowers dreaming of becoming fruit, have to wait a few more months to see them ripen!
Thanks for the visit & comment, Jo. Enjoy your tomatoes to come!
[…] Hanging On in the Garden – Loudly – this is a wonderful post from the studio of Laurie MacBride. Laurie takes us into her garden where she captures a great set of shots of plants of all varieties, and she adds a terrific element to the shots with her thoughts on topic… sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face! […]
I love this. I’m having a similar problem with our garden. Your vegetables and photos are all so beautiful. No wonder you’re having trouble choosing!
It’s a great problem to have, isn’t it? Thanks for the comment, Robin.
wonderful like an old art nouveau painting
Thanks so much, Mitza!
I was just thinking the other day how I hoped you would share some images of your veggie garden produce — and here they are in all their glory. Just awesome — both the veggies and the photos. I especially love the one you got of the beets!
Thanks, Sherry! Here’s an older photo of beets in my garden that you might like, a bit later in the season (with frost on them) – https://www.flickr.com/photos/lauriemacbride/8105253759/in/set-72157631811951134
hi laurie that’s funny, i have a 3rd year repeat fuchsia just blooming now, love the picture all good gordie doing wonderful, hugs l&g&s
Great to hear, Leona! The fuschia in this photo is one of the ones you brought me oh-so-many years ago!