Ugh! I think I jink myself sometimes.

A few days ago, I was listening to a podcast about gardening. The episode was about the garden tasks we must do in August. One of those tasks was “keeping up with the harvest.” I laughed when I heard it because if anyone ever watches those garden harvest videos, you’ll see the person harvesting one thing after another. I often wonder if this person waits a period of time before harvesting.

Well, I found out, maybe not.

I last harvested my cucumbers last weekend (around Saturday). This was my harvest yesterday (Wednesday). If you can count, there are 15 cucumbers in there. I guess I’m really having a cucumber year.

You want to know the best part? These aren’t bitter, no matter when you harvest these. I guess I chose the varieties this year.

Tomatoes are the ultimate taste of summer, right? I’m having a phenomenal year with the large tomatoes. My biggest one so far this year weighed in at 9.5 oz (270 grams) and you’re looking at it. It’s the pale orange on in the back.

I have been trying various varieties of slicing tomatoes since I began gardening but so far, I haven’t found out that won’t crack on me. Those pink tomatoes are a variety called Momotaro (Peach Boy in Japanese), which is a crack-resistant variety. As you can see, clearly, they are not resistant to cracking.

I think the closest variety I can find so far is the orange variety called Katana. It’s a semi-bushing tomato and though, it’s a little bland when eaten raw, it’s the only variety so far that’s showing slight resistance to cracking.

Finally, I saved the best for last. Berries!

I am finally harvesting blackberries off my bushes this year. There hasn’t been a lot of blackberries because the relentless dry heat dried the berries into inedible husks. I’m guessing it will be another thing that’s under the shade cloth next year.

Anyway, I had to learn to harvest blackberries. I had to wait until they’re absolutely ripe and black before I pick them because otherwise, they will be so sour that you’ll regret putting it in your mouth.

For SundayStills