Summer weather lasted longer than usual this year, which made me a very happy home vegetable gardener. I didn’t get my plants in the garden until the first weekend in June because the nights were still cool and frost was a risk. That’s why I’ve been especially thankful for warm days continuing into October. Thank you, Mother Nature. I’m still picking tomatoes, eggplant, squash, peppers and herbs; and I’m hoping the first frost stays away a little longer. Fingers crossed!
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I credit my time living in the United Kingdom for acquainting me with this rustic French dish. Before then, I had never heard of ratatouille nor considered combining summer garden vegetables together to make this hearty side. I can recall it served several different ways including with a Sunday roast dinner, a vegetarian stew in a crock or a spread on crusty bread. Through my experiences living in England, I discovered ratatouille and came back home knowing it would be something I’d make on my own.
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As I promised, I’m sharing my first-year beginner experience growing vegetables and herbs in galvanized steel raised garden beds. Overall, I’m thrilled. I’ve learned so much. I loved the anticipation watching vegetables I planted grow. I will consider this year my starting point. Even if it was the wettest summer in recent history which compromised the growing season, I’m ready for more. I’m already planning to invest in more raised beds next year.
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I’m finally trying out raised beds, made of galvanized metal, to elevate my vegetable gardening options. Over recent years, my vegetable and herb container gardening has been growing. Literally! I started out with a few pots on the deck, then it expanded to several large containers in my driveway. Last year, I integrated veggies and herbs in my flower beds and heavily pruned out a spot in the shrubbery of my back foundation area. I’ve had some success, but it wasn’t really working for me. I just wanted some raised beds. But I wasn’t sure how to go about it until I discovered the modern-yet-vintage style of metal raised beds at my friends’ house. I immediately fell in love with them.
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