Requiem for a garden

With the gradual loss of daylight minutes during August, the garden usually slows down, and we heed the signs that fall is approaching. This year has been a bit different than usual. It's been hot; we've had temperatures in the 90s for the past three days, and the forecast is for 90-95 for the entire prediction period through Sept. 9. To add insult to injury, we haven't had measurable rain for almost six weeks. The rain barrels are dry, we have watering restrictions, and I think it's time for me to accept that the garden is mostly a lost cause at this point.

The tomatoes look very sad and have given up the struggle. We've had to pull out all the dead zucchini plants (what kind of gardener can't grow zucchini?!), and the stunted cucumbers are small and bitter. Withered and dehydrated Napa cabbages and beans are just waiting to be pulled out. We'll leave the Brussels sprouts and see what they eventually do, and since the carrots and turnips are underground away from the parching heat, they are at least holding their own. We are still able to water two rows of late snow peas that we put in, in hopes that they may still grow and produce something.

I am thankful that I don't absolutely depend on the garden for my food for the winter. I'm also not battling huge wildfires, spurred on by drought, like many areas in the west. Put in that kind of perspective, my garden is just a bit sad, and certainly not a tragedy. I just wanted to say goodbye and hope that it fares better next year.