.::2013::. Garden in Review

It is that time of the year in Wasington wine country. Harvest is coming to an end.  There is a chill to the air.  The first frost has made the vineyards and orchards start to drop their leaves. And that same first frost has made it quite apparent that it is time to take down the garden and make plans for next year

 It is a time to review the past year.  What was a success?  What has the opportunity to improve?  Each year around this time I clean up the garden, remove the annuals, and review the bounty 2013 has given us.

Cherry Tomatoes soon to be pico de gallo

Year 1 in the Holly House. We got married. We honeymooned in Maui. I started a new job.

The garden is definitely in need of some TLC.

Spicy garden haul

This year was the first I started all our plants from seeds.  I had high hopes with many starts going...then we were gone for 2 weeks of wedding/honeymoon madness and the poor little plants did not take well to being cared for by my mother-in-law.  We ended up having roma and cherry tomatoes, along with  many (ok 12...seriously we had them coming out of our ears) jalapeño peppers.

We had one lonely bell pepper plant that Louie ripped out. Bummer.

Garlic pickled jalapeno rings

With the huge amount of jalapeños, we decided to pickle some.

Best. Decision. Ever.

I got to break out the mandalin we got as a wedding gift, and after 6 weeks of waiting we have been loving our little pickled rings.  Nachos are on a whole new level in this household!

I am designing some improvements, are you?

What is your favorite garden veggie?

Mark my words, by 2014 I will have grown my own cucumbers and not have to buy from the store to make pickles!

October in Wine Country

October

The month harvest is in full swing here in the Columbia Valley.

Apples are being plucked from their trees,

Grapes are being transported to the winey, 

There is a feeling of accomplishment in the air as the fruits of this years labor are off to market.

Fall colors on the Wahluke Slope are in full force.  Trees are dropping their leaves.  The vineyards are turning golden and orange with some red sprinkled throughout the long rows.

What signifies fall for you?  

For myself, fall begins in late summer when a certain virus in wine grapes turns the leaves from healthy and thriving green to the beautiful but problematic red.  It sure is beautiful, isn't it?

Tutorial: Grapevine Wreath

Once the grapes are harvested, I love to find uses for the lovely shoots.

This fall wreath was quick to put together, looks great and adds a touch of fall.

Plus I know I can adjust the decor for seasons to come! Score!

What You Need-

• Grapevine
• Pruning Shears
• Hot Glue Gun
• Decor of your choice!

To Make Wreath-

1. Cut shoots post harvest. leave pleanty of buds for next year and remove only from vigorus areas
2.  Remove any leaves and stems from the shoot
3.  Twist shoots together, Working to tuck the ends into the loops of the other shoots
4.  Continue to work shoot, twisting them into the wreath.  Add until desired thickness.

The green shoots are more malleable, they will become brown as they dry out.

I added some burlap and linen rosettes.

I found the tutorial from Pinterest

Secure with a hot glue gun, add cloth for a bow and hang!