September 27 and the POPYC garden is in wind-up phase for the season. Not everything, of course. The herb garden is still going strong, the impatiens in the doorway planters continue to flower, and the giant sunflowers by the gate are finally in bloom. But in the vegetable garden most of the plants are either done producing or close to it. Last week I replaced the back-eyed susan in the planters with mums, an acknowledgment of autumn’s arrival.
So now perhaps is a good time to capture how different plants and varieties fared in the garden…
Herbs
The herb garden had a pretty successful year. The plants thrived and the need for weeding and watering was minimal.
- Basil: Basil did well in the garden. The plants did seem somewhat compact and stunted, not sure why. But I’d give them a Grade: B.
- Chives: The chives I transplanted from my home garden did fine. They looked a little ragged as the result of the transplant, but I expect them to be happy and acclimated next year. Grade: B
- Mint: One of the few herbs that did not do well. I tried planting mint in containers. Mint, it seems, does not like life in containers. The plants hung on, but never looked especially happy or leafy. Grade: D
- Oregano: The oregano I transplanted from my home garden adapted OK but was already too close to flowering to produce leafy plants. So the verdict on it as POPYC-suitable is still out. Grade: C
- Parsley: The parsley I planted did fine…I’d give it a B minus. It might have appreciated a little more shade and moisture. Grade: B-
- Rosemary: The two rosemary plants planted on either side of the front doors did well. They grew slowly until mid-summer, after which they picked up. Both now are healthy and happy. Grade: A
- Sage: No other way to put it…the sage I transplanted from my home garden LOVED to POPYC plot. The plants are healthy and robust. Grade: A
Herbs I did not plant but would like to try next year: cilantro and thyme.
Flowers
- Black-eyed susan: The black-eyed susan in the planters did phenominally until a period of drought in mid-late August knocked them out. Will definitely use them again next year. the bloom if properly cared for should last from mid-summer into September. Grade: B+.
- Hostas: The hostas in the planters did well and should come back again next year. The ones I transplanted by the parking lot entrance (as an afterthought and with no expectations), surprising have hung on, even if they didn’t exactly thrive. Interesting to see if they come back next year.. Grade: A-
- Impatiens: The impatiens in the planters loved their location and thrived. Grade: A
- Marigold: Like the black-eyed susans, the marigolds in the planters did well until a period of drought in mid-late August (or possibly drinks were poured into the planter). The marigolds in the beds did less well…they were root bound at purchase and put in too late. Grade: B-
- Sunflowers: The giant sunflowers I planted in the box by the gate grew well but did not flower until mid-September. Would like to get an earlier start on them next year. Grade: B
Other: The potted plants on the deck tables (geraniums, marigolds, and ?) hung on all season but could have been more robust. Fertilize next year?
Vegetables
- Cucumbers: The Marketmore cukes by the entrance did well in the late spring but slowed down noticeably by mid-summer. Those planted near the dumpster grew poorly. Overall Grade: C+.
- Peppers-Hot: The Cayene (B) and Hot Cherry (B) peppers produced well starting in late July. The Serano (F) plants, despite doing well in my home garden, grew poorly and did not produce It may be an issue tied to the soil quality at that end of the bed. Overall Grade: B.
- Peppers-Sweet: The Yellow Frying peppers in the left side bed did not produce at all (F). The Sweet Banana (C+), Cubanelle (C) and Grren Frying (D) peppers in the right bed did better but still not all that well. Overall Grade: C-.
- Squash/Zucchini: The squash and zucchini got off to a great start and were producing in early July. But by August mildew had taken firm hold and they died quickly. Need to stay on top of that if we plant these next year . Grade: B-
- Tomatoes-Cherry: The Sweet 100 Cherry tomatoes started producing in early August and through late September are still going. The yield was amazing. Grade: A
- Tomatoes-Slicing: The slicing tomato plants never achieved good size and their yield was disappointing. Early Girl (C), Beefstake (C-), and Better Boy (D). They began producing in early August. Overall Grade: C-
- Tomatillo: The tomatillo plants did well although did not produce a lot of quantity. Fruits appeared in late August. Grade: C
- Sunflowers: The giant sunflowers I planted in the box by the gate grew well but did not flower until mid-September. Would like to get an earlier start on them next year. Grade: B
Some general notes…the mulching worked well…lack of soil depth I believe contributed to a stunting of the plants and lower yield…things planted near the dumpster faired poorly–there may be soil issues there…may want to try adding things other than vegetables next year to the beds against the building.