September already? How did that happen?
This time around, I'm actually quite happy for another month behind me! I'm now five weeks out from hysterectomy surgery, so I'm much closer to my normal active self than last time I posted. It also means the cooler weather is getting just a wee bit closer. Of course here in Atlanta we have plenty of summer temperatures left, but hints of cooler nights are beginning and I am here for it.
It also means the warmer weather crops have basically been roasted to oblivion in the later summer heat, so we've pulled up a lot of the dying tomatoes, squash, and cucumbers. And by we, I mean 
Luckily, I was feeling spunky enough to help get a few things planted for Autumn. We've traditionally been pretty bad at getting things in the ground this time of year, so I'm hoping we actually get a few crops as the seasons change!
In the large bed above I direct-sowed beets, radishes, parsnips and carrots. We've had luck with the first two, but this is a first for the latter. The bunny has so far avoided our latest resident, the hawk, so he better stay away from my carrots!
We've had luck in the raised beds with the leafy stuff in the past, so after amending with a little more compost after pulling out the patty pan squash I planted some seeds. Mustard greens in the first and a lettuce variety in the second.
Once we pull out the squash from the other two beds, I plan on adding bok choy and purple kale. Given how hot it still is during the day, I don't think waiting another week or two on those is a bad idea.
After a dud year in 2022, the turmeric we re-planted seems to be making a strong comeback! We have this small bed with four sturdy plants, and another plant that popped up where we used to have it. Besides being a wonderful crop to use in all kinds of cooking, they pretty much grow on their own with little tending on our part!
In other exciting news, our fig tree seems to have bounced back marvelously after a spring beetle attack! We (again, the royal version) cut back the impacted limbs with fingers crossed. The new growth has far exceeded expectations, with signs of actual fruit! I'm not sure if they'll have long enough to ripen before the cold hits, but I'm hoping so. If not, let's also hope those pesky beetles stay away next year so I can have an actual harvest!
And finally, I promise.
The very last Candy Roaster of the season. We got a few stragglers off the vine, putting our total for the year around the 60-pound mark. Thank goodness these last on the counter for a while. I'm slowly but surely working my way through!
I've got plans to get cauliflower, broccoli, and a few more items in for this upcoming season, so we'll see if I can actually keep the garden journals going for longer than usual! Thanks to 
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