We are very much not in summer anymore. There’s nighttime and everything! Still enough sun to keep the vegetables busy producing and me busy harvesting all that produce. Not a bad place to be in at all.

One — Full of Beans

‘Gordonia’ bush beans, first picking came to 700g. This is the first year I went all in on the beans instead of popping them in here or there between other plants. This little patch surprised me with how much it’s produced. They’re still small and tender, and I hope that the ones I left will still grow a bit more despite the weather cooling down.

Two — Bolt From the Blue

Some of my ‘Sturon’ onions (grown from sets) bolted this year, which I’ve never had happen before. Due to weather fluctuations, apparently. I’m going to let them go to seed, maybe cover the area with fleece, and see if they will sprout in the spring. It’ll be an interesting experiment.

Three — Late Bloomer

I sowed a packet of sweet peas in mid-June on a whim and surprisingly, I’m getting flowers! Well, just the singular one so far but it’s further than I’ve managed in the past so I’m pretty happy with it. We have another month or more of sunny cool weather so I might have accidentally stumbled upon a viable way to grow them that works better for me than trying to start them indoors for spring.

Four — The Mint That Would

The Agastache rugosa (Korean mint) is alive! I was worried that the patch had finally died out after last year, but a few popped up a foot away so at least it managed to seed itself. Not a huge showing but with any luck it’ll spread some more after I get that grass out of its way.

Five — Not Just for Bouquets

No-name calendula mixture that I’m enjoying because they’re so cheery. Probably should start picking and drying them for storage, though. The plan is to have enough for both tea and skincare projects later this winter.

Six — You’re Making Me Blush

Hydrangea paniculata ‘Living Angels Blush’® is indeed starting to blush! The panicles aren’t very large but last year I only got one so it’s still a huge improvement. This is its fourth autumn in this location and it’s really starting to fill out.

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Six on Saturday is hosted by Jim at Garden Ruminations — go see what everyone else is up to.