Summer garden bounty

School starts next week & the garden is ready! Starting a bit earlier than other schools gives us a chance to use more of our summer bounty. During the 5-week summer vacation we donated over 100 pounds of fresh garden produce to Ecumenical Hunger Program, right down the street from our school. Summer staff at the school enjoyed quite a bit of squash and tomatoes, too!

Here's a peek at what's growing in the garden this summer:

These lovely, petite seedless green grapes pretty much take care of themselves. They've been here at least 8 years! 

Quince! We'll be making membrillo and poached quince with these guys. 

I love growing a 'Three Sisters Garden' each summer -- winter squash, corn and climbing beans. The are great companion plants. This year I tried Cherokee Trail of Tears bean (on the left) and strawberry popcorn (on the right). Pumpkins, butternut squash and Red Kuri squash climbed on the ground beneath them. 

These beautiful Scarlet Runner beans were wonderful on our garden tunnel (see below) & trellises. Hummingbirds love the bright red flowers. I let these beans dry so the kids can harvest the vibrant beans & plant them in the spring. 

One of our fun garden tunnels. This year scarlet runner beans, morning glories, cucumbers and Red Kuri squash covered it with color. 

A rainbow of produce ready to be donated. Pictured from top to bottom: three types of summer squash, red kuru squash, Cherokee Purple tomatoes, apples, plums, Bearss limes, cucumbers. 

More produce to donate. Summer squash started to get a little out of hand!