This growing season has been interesting. Like last year, I have learned a lot.

Last year I learned that I should not fertilize after the plants have started growing fruits or vegetables. I also learned that I should not plant 12 tomato plants in one container. I can plant that many seeds, but I need to thin the plants when they get several inches tall.

This year I learned that the soil in my backyard has too much clay in it. I grew everything in pots this year, but did not use potting soil. I used the soil from my backyard. The plants grew, but they didn’t grow very large or produce very much.

We also had a hefty drought this year. I kept everything watered as best I could. I think the plants still suffered from the heat and very little water.

Next year I want to do several things differently. First I want to grow everything in a raised bed in “square foot gardening” fashion. I want to mix potting soil and compost with the soil that is already in my backyard. I am hoping this will help the roots to breathe and provide enough nutrients for the plants to grow big and strong.

The other thing I want to do is start my plants indoors. This year we had a late frost that killed a number of my plants. I had to start again late in the season.

You are probably wondering what my harvest was like this year. I had 3 roma tomatoes, 1 beefsteak tomato, 2 red peppers (they were very small) no brussel sprouts, no greens and 2 handfuls of bush beans (probably my favorite veggie of the season).

I am calling this the end of my growing season. I will see you all next year.

Tomatoes are tall and blooming.

Bush Beans have already produced one bean. Looking forward to more.

Sprouts look great. Not sure what to expect next.

Pappers are doing a lot better than last year.

The rest of everything else dies on me. I do have a few sunflowers still growing, but I don’t expect from by them.