The Country Garden Showcase #35

I've been fortunate to have been able to put a dent in my canning workload this week.  My 15+ year old heirloom grape vines are loaded down with grapes.

can you see the grapes in this apple tree???

I made my first pass along a small portion of the fence line and I put up more than 20 quarts of golden concord grape juice cocktail using Canning Granny's Mom's recipe HERE and I think I have only plucked less than 10% of the grapes so I will be getting more jars tomorrow.  I am going to make some of the harvest into grape jelly too.

Lacie a silver laced wyandotte sits on an egg

My hens are growing and really love free ranging allover the yard.  They have little nests hidden amongst the raspberry vines, underneath tomato plants and redwood trees.  I am really surprised that they do not seem to damage my growing or ripe vegetables.  They are amending the soil all day long too.  

a mammoth sunflower in my chicken garden

sage

I have been trying to juggle garden chores and harvest/storage and I have to admit I am falling behind a little right now.  I need to prune my herbs and dry some for winter... I did manage to get some chamomile flowers drying.

lemon balm

I had my husband harvest some fruit from one of our apple trees today in hopes that I could get some apple butter done by tonight, but that didn't work out.  They're in a bucket on the floor still.  Maybe tomorrow?  My husband cut the lawn today and was kind enough to pour the grass clippings over a few unused areas of the backyard that I intend to till and plant with lavender plants.  I bought a flat of them and I am hopeful they will survive the winter.

In the main vegetable garden I have plotted out where I plan to make my rotations for fall vegetables and cover crops.  I still haven't set seeds though...  Oh well, not to worry.  I will get to them in a few days.  Here's my goal for the garden this week-

Garden Goals

fertilize tomatoes and squash plants

clear more raised beds

pull out the spent corn stalks

amend soil with compost 

turn the soil in and seed w/cover crop

plant some seeds for fall crops

continue harvesting and processing grapes, apples, tomatoes, armenian cukes, etc.

aerate compost pile

make a compost pile just for the chicken manure

till the green manure int those empty backyard garden beds

plant the lavender plants

inspect all three of my beehives and add honey supers

select the sites for the new concrete foundations my hubby is going to pour for my beehives (they're going into my small 12 tree fruit orchard)

continue garden analysis- raised beds, what to plant again and winter protection
*My plant list will include a variety of plants to ensure there are ample flowers for the bees all summer long

I will be happy if I get half of the list tackled this week.  Sigh.

What have YOU been working on this week???   

Please share below.