First of December stroll through the garden

We're only 21 days away from the days getting longer again and I for one cannot believe I finally understand what my grandmother used to say about how time would get shorter as I got older. It seems like just yesterday that I was counting down to the year 2000 and so many people were speculating about whether that year would bring complete chaos because of the Y2K computer glitch. Now we're almost celebrating the beginning of the year 2012. Wow.

Another year is coming to an end, the holidays are upon us and the garden is in a complete state of renewal which will only last a short time before we start again for the spring season. Change really is the only thing that is constant and I'm happy to be a part of that constant change. The garden is a perfect example of this.

Here's a look at the 2011 First of December garden. 

  

The big front bed, tomatoes gone, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, peas, carrots and onions  in various stages

The jasmine under my living room windows should start blooming soon

 

One of my favorite geraniums lost the color in it's leaves over the summer but it is coming back now 

Dad made me a screen for worm castings while he was here and I am harvesting castings for all of the new plantings 

I thought I killed this orange mint but it is coming back to life

I expect the nasturtiums to bloom any minute now

This group of peas and carrots looks good, just awhile longer

Most of the tomatoes are gone but we still have some nice ones on the roof

There is lots of Swiss chard in various stages of development

The green arrow peas are delicious, hopefully we will have 1 basket of them at market this week 

The cabbage is looking good for the most part but we do have some caterpillar activity on a couple of plants, again.

The avocado tree is spectacular and the fruit is beginning to ripen 

Avocados do not get soft while they are on the tree, it takes at least a week and with avocados our size, it takes about 10 business days for them to soften up. We did not pick any more this week because we took enough off in the past 2 weeks and want to give the rest a little more time.

The black eyed Susan vine is a fabulous fall bloomer

The calendula from last year is coming back beautifully

This passion fruit is growing like crazy, I hope it blooms and produces fruit in the spring

We've got bok choy going all over the garden, we may have some baby bok choy at the market this week

 

The roses are suffering with some fungal disease but the Mr. Lincoln is over 7ft. tall and will bloom very soon

We probably won't have enough cilantro for market but we'll have enough to enjoy for ourselves

The strawberries will be happening soon, they look really good

The sweet limes are in full swing, we will have some at the market this week for sure

We will also have pink lemonade lemons, they are doing great!

These are the last of the Japanese cucumbers until next year

Gidget is still trying to mail herself to a place where there is real food. She even lifted the flag .