Mid-June Backyard Bounty

One of the lovely things about living in a place like north Texas is how easy it is to grow your own food.  Lots of heat and sunlight go a long way toward generating good growth.  As long as you water things well and watch for pests, you've got some good food on the table.

Though I neglected to replant one bed that I'd used for winter crops, I did plant two others with a variety of yummy summer delights: sweet corn, green peppers, luscious tomatoes, strawberries and watermelon.

If you've considered growing your own food but think planting beds is too arduous, you don't need to - just get a few big pots and have at it.  Many foods grow really well in containers.  In fact, here in Texas I have to keep my avocado and citrus trees in pots because they need to be brought inside in winter.  You can read more about container gardening by doing an internet search (including finding some inspirational photos), but click here for one blog with some good, quick information.

Here are a few shots of our backyard bounty:

Juicy tomato ready for plucking.

Second batch of sweet corn is almost ready to pick.  You haven't tasted truly sweet corn until you've tasted sweet corn from your own backyard.

One of seven watermelons now growing.  This one is actually growing in our strawberry patch.  The watermelon vines are really aggressive.

Granny Smith apple.

Golden delicious apple.

Lemons.