I went at the garden this morning. Chop, chop, chop! Everything got cut back or trimmed down. I had planned to completely remove Mr. Stripy and the Better Boy I have in a pot, but I decided to experiment with them instead and just seriously cut off large chunks of the plants. The cucumbers were unceremoniously ripped from the dirt, and boy are the aphid-farming ants pissed about that! :lol:

Felt good to finally get that done. It should have been done weeks ago, but I’m a softy where plants are concerned, and I hate cutting back or killing things on purpose. All the same, I want to replant soon. I’m not sure what yet. I was going to attempt to squeeze in a short tomato season, but I’m starting to feel the slightest hint of fall in the air. Maybe best to just wait and see what happens with my experimental cut back plants, continue to enjoy the cherry tomatoes that ripen every day, and plan for cooler weather crops.

All-in-all, I’m fairly disappointed with the outcome of this summer’s gardening project. But … what’s a girl to do when summer is far more hell-like than usual? Suffer through it, learn as much as possible from the experience, and plan for the next garden. I’m certainly not giving up! I’ve learned way too much about organic gardening this year to not use that information, and it feels so vitally important that we keep trying to become somewhat more self-sufficient food-wise. Onward and upward, right? The next veggie garden is going to rock!