This Spud’s For You!

We had mix results on The Farm this year, mostly because of the damn animals eating everything they could get their furry little lips on. The cucumbers, peas and carrots all ended up being a lost cause and the weeds quickly took over their beds.

We tried our luck with potatoes this year. Neither one of us know a thing about potatoes but we got a little guidance from good old Google and figured we would get a little something from our potato plants. The other day when Bill and the boys were out in the garden cleaning up they decided to check out the potatoes and see if we’d have any to enjoy.

Man we hit the jackpot with the potatoes! As Bill pulled the plants from the ground it was like a potato bonanza, each plant yielding more than the one before. Within a half an hour we had a five gallon bucket filled to the rim with fresh potatoes. There were some BIG ones too!

This isn’t even a quarter of our haul

I have to admit, I’ve been very stingy in sharing my potatoes. I begrudgingly gave my mom six or eight and I refuse to let anyone else have them now that I’ve tasted them.

That’s right, they are the most delicious potatoes I’ve ever eaten. Bill fried a few up with some onions, olive oil and seasoning and they were melt in your mouth yummy. We even got Cameron to try some and he LOVED them.

I’m looking forward to homemade chips and fries, maybe even some hash browns. Of course we’ll be frying some more up for dinner tonight!

The potatoes are by far my favorite thing from the garden this year.

What is your favorite thing from your garden this year? Did you get an unexpected yield like we did?

Attack of the killer pumpkins.

About six weeks ago I gave you a little peek at our pumpkins. They were taking over the entire bed and choking out everything in their path.

Well, not much has changed and they continue to amaze me with just how big they are getting. Last week Bill even cut them back since they had taken over part of the lawn.

The top part of the photo below was the pumpkin six weeks ago and the bottom part is now. It’s grown quite a bit hasn’t it?

The white roses I was so worried about are gone. I’m wondering if they’ll make a come back next year when we DON’T plant a gigantic man eating pumpkin plant there? There was actually a vine that grew through one of my pink rose bushes. Who knew pumpkins were so ruthless?!?

We’ve had to trim back some of the vines that were growing near the steps since they were starting to make using the steps dangerous. Just about the entire wall has been covered in pumpkiny vines. I swear, I wouldn’t be surprised if I woke up one morning and found my house completely incased in pumpkin vines.

The Wall

Look at those vines just dangling, another week and they’ll reach the driveway.

It’s hard to see where it all began.

I guess I really can’t complain since there are already twelve pumpkins and more little buds to come. By the time fall gets here I’m going to be like Bubba from Forrest Gump…Pumpkin pie, pumpkin soufflé, pumpkin soup, pumpkin bread, baked pumpkin, spiced pumpkin…

We are going to save a ton on the trip to the pumpkin patch. Just the hayride for us thanks!

Have you ever grown your own pumpkins? Did it work out well for you?