I hestitated to say “tater” but it’s in the dictionary. It is. It’s there because of aphesis (gradually dropping off of an initial syllable), and likely being too lazy to say “O” so saying “er” instead, and dialect (we don’t say it much in my ‘hood but sometimes).
I had to gear up in overalls, socks and shoes, and a long-sleeve shirt for this. The potatoes were in a tight space and the mosquitoes are SWARMING. I mean. You would have to be here.
Anyway, I think the taters could have grown a little longer but the sweet little roly polys have stripped the foliage until I cannot tell if it’s time to harvest or call the Orkin man.
Nevertheless, I knew this would be fun. It is SO exciting to gently dig back the soil and see a tater!!
Close by, the honey bees, and other kinds of bees, were busy with the squash blooms.
I think the squash is looking good and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that no bugs get into the squash. You know, the kind that can take a plant down in one night.
I ended up with somewhere between 5 and 10 pounds of potatoes. It’s hard to tell because I don’t have a hanging scale. There were plenty of tiny potatoes that are going right back into the ground. I don’t think this is a bad harvest considering these potatoes were started simply from some potatoes that sat too long in the pantry and were cut into pieces and planted. I definitely could have let them grow longer, however.
Pretty, but this cabbagewormmoth is probably the reason my broccoli leaves have holes in them. I’ll have to go out and kill any larvae that I see. The garden is a constant fight. If you want to eat, that is.
Yet another creature. You all know how much I love creatures, so I’m hesitant to kill anything or interfere in the whole nature life cycle thing, but like I said, some things you have to battle if you want to eat anything you’ve worked for. (There’s a big spiritual lesson in that for me today.)
The creature above is so cute. I think I see eyes. I don’t know what it is yet, so he lives. There are probably gardeners all around the globe killing these things even now and saying, “don’t let it go!!”
Today’s harvest — tomorrow’s supper vegetables.
I have a little more planting to do today: green beans, spinach, some various salad greens, carrots. It’s very dry outside. The rain barrels are low. I’m hoping for some rain soon.
Once I get some things planted today, I’ll pick a wild salad and some herbs for an infusion to sip on the rest of the day. Mmmmm, minerals.
Lynn
for you to leave a comment, but you can also e-mail me at lynn AT thehealthyhomeschool.com
Dear Lynn,
You say “taters”, we say “spuds”. Dumb name, but everyone says it. We even have Spud Day here in Shelley, complete with free baked potatoes (People stand in line for this!) and a parade. The local high school are even The Shelley Russets. Pretty intimidating, eh?
Your harvest looks great, for pantry leftovers! Ours are just starting to bloom, and your squash are nice and bushy, while ours have a couple sets of leaves on.
I hope some rain comes your way. Oh yes, and I was thinking of eating my Japanese knotweed shoots next spring, since they taste like rhubarb. We’ll let you know!
Take care,
Marqueta
Spuds.
I never say that, but I think it’s cute. I sometimes say taters, but usually potatas. I don’t think I ever pronounce the “o.”
The Shelley Russets! Yaay.
I should have known you’d have all sort of names for taters, considering where you are. 
I planted a bit more today, but my it’s so hot. I’ll do a little bit more in the morning.
Lynn
I thinks that a great harvest, especially from pantry potatoes!
I love your potato pics. That is on my list of new things to plant next year, along with onions and garlic. We had zucchini bread (z from the garden), green beans with dill(from garden), cucumber/tomato/green pepper salad(from the garden), sweet potatoes(from farmer’s market), and a roast with gravy for dinner!
Hi Lynn,
Cabbage critters don’t like cayenne pepper. I mix some with some dish soap and water and spray the leaves (both sides). My cabbage leaves look good as long as I am consistent!
Thanks, MamaHen.
Me too.
Chris, that sounds WONDERFUL. I have not done well with zucchini in the past, but that’s something I want to try again.
Ami, thanks for the great tip. I’ll try it!
Lynn
Wow! What a great harvest! I sure wish we had enough sunlight in our yard to grow some things. I need to hit a farmer’s market sometime.
You are doing a great job. BTW – I say potata like you do.
Love
Leslie
PS Thanks for all of your prayers, encouragment, visit, lunch etc over the last week! I’m thankful for you dear friend!!!
Our potatoes are doing just okay. We’ve had a ton of rain. Too much.
Your vegetables look incredible and I’m cheerfully jealous!
I agree… plant more and freeze or can them!
Mich/ivy
Leslie, we have let some volunteer trees grow in the backyard and we’ll have to take them down soon. They are starting to shade the garden. (Thomas tried to tell me.)
Leslie, I appreciate you too, so very much. You do a tremendous amount for others.
Michele, you plant so much more then I do. My garden is tiny. I will be “cheerfully jealous” (I like that) of your crops soon!
Lynn
Beautiful garden harvest, Lynn! I love fresh, red taters right from the soil….they taste so delicious when added to the green beans for dinner, too…yum!
Sandra, that’s exactly what I’m going to do! Good to hear from you!
Lynn
I really love your insect pictures.. may I ask what kind of camera you use? I know mine could never get such tight clear shots.
Your veggies look yummy too.. I liked that you planted your “taters” from ones that had gone by in your pantry☺
Thanks, Diane! I have really enjoyed my camera. It’s an HP R507 photosmart.
Lynn