Chocomouse, I meant to post here earlier but haven't got around to it. I planted 4 tomatoes, 2 each in 2 containers. Two peppers in one container. Also some parsley, and a lemon thyme. I got some basil from a couple of neighbors. I've been meaning to take a couple of pics and post it but I the cicadas make me want to minimize my time out there right now. We have a good crop of the 13 year cicada and they like to fly in the face. I really don't mind them otherwise and kinda enjoy the racket they make, I'm happy to let them do their insect things except for having to bat them away. In 4 years we get the 17 year cicadas and they come out in even greater numbers, maybe 5 times as many, maybe more. Anyways, so far everything looks good.

As always, Len, it's a great garden!

Ah, yes, the deer! This spring, we fenced most of the backyard for the dog--and for us, so that she can go out on her own, especially in the winter. We are limited to 5 feet high and 50% visibility, which is what we would have done anyway. Deer can jump that if motivated, but for now, they are giving attention to more accessible neighboring locations. The garden area within the backyard has wire fencing. We can put old window screens on top if we need to do so, but I'm hoping that the outside fence will take care of the deer eating the blooms off of vegetable plants.

All the plants are filling out quite nicely.

Peppers are starting to form,

And this morning I spied my first tomato.

Len, your plants look lovely. A tomato!

Today my husband spied three small green tomatoes on our plants. Hurrah!

The drought is hurting the black raspberry crop--both on the terrace and in the woodlands. My husband has managed to water some of the ones on the terrace, but we very much need rain. I also need some Ball Classic Real Fruit Pectin, as mine is expired. I checked the grocery and the hardware store (canning items) but no luck. We may try a trip into the larger town north of us next week, so I will check at Kroger, which has had it in the past.

That looks like my Aerogarden, Mike. I love it in the winter season for growing herbs, and the light brings a little sunshine into our shorter and darker days. I'll have to look it up - I've been thinking about getting another Aerogarden. Does he like it? And what else is he growing?

I have been concerned about my peppers. Back in June I reported that peppers were starting to form but really it was very little behind the blossoms. The plants kept growing and lots of flowers but the fruit was going nowhere. Well, they are starting to grow now. The peppers are a sweet red variety, not a bell type, they are from Burpee and are called PeppiGrande Red Hybrid. I checked the Burpee site and see they are 80-90 days to maturity, which explains why there hasn't been too much action until recently. I did give it a couple of doses of Epsom salts in the past several weeks, as that is supposed to be beneficial. The basil in that container is doing great. A couple of weeks ago I harvested some to make pesto sauce.