The growing season has been kind to me this year and my little garden has been steadily producing edibles for many weeks. The radishes arrived first in early July and are now long gone. (Next year, I might try two plantings a month apart.)

Then came the ruby chard. I have been clipping large leaves for at least a month and allowing smaller ones time to mature. It has been infiltrated by worms that grow in the leaf. So, I’m sharing the bounty with the worms and there seems to be enough for all of us.

The zucchini has produced enough to give away. You’re right; I’m bragging. I followed the advice given to me about powdery mildew ; although the plants were damaged by it, they were not decimated like last year and are still producing.

I grouped two plants together in three distinct locations: an east box, a south box and a south container. The container has failed to produce anything, perhaps overshadowed by nearby tomato plants that turned into small shrubs. Although loaded with fruit, it’s in no hurry to ripen.

Initially a challenge, the green beans have grown into lovely large plants which are yielding a generous crop. The challenge was that something was digging up the seed – maybe magpies or squirrels? However, the pesky critter didn’t like the bean seed and left it on the surface of the soil. I kept poking the bean seeds back down into the soil with my finger for several weeks (even after some had germinated!) and the plants finally took hold and grew. Very strange but kind of fun.

I began the season by enriching all the soil from last year with composted manure and have worked harder to keep the plants consistently watered and fed with a weak solution of fertilizer about every 10 days. I would like to say that all my efforts and experience are paying off – but who knows? A garden has a way of keeping you humble and never sure what is good luck or good management. This summer's garden included lettuce seed that didn’t germinate at all.

How has your garden grown? I would love to know about both flower and veg - especially if it's in a pot or a box. Tell me, as well, about books or websites that have inspired you. Pics are good too and could be shared here. Leave a comment on the blog or email me: Jane.Harrison@calgarypubliclibrary.com

Friday: DIY storage table from a Chinese pot.