The Dynamic Duo

I have mixed feelings about the fall season. Sure, we usually have some pretty nice days and some nice fall colors (not as great as some parts of the country, but still pretty). The hot summertime temps give way to cooler weather, which makes UltraDad happier. There are football games (I’m not a great fan, but have been enjoying watching Boise State games on TV with Johnny) and things settle a bit more into a routine.
But here’s my biggest problem; my garden. You didn’t know UltraMom was a gardener? Well, that’s because I’m not…......not really. I get rare surges of longing to see things grow and reap harvests of the fruits of my own labor. In one such frenzy, I bought about 12 tomato plants, a few green pepper plants, a cucumber and a crooked neck squash plant as well as 109 (or thereabouts) geraniums, petunias, marigolds and impatiens. You see, there was a big “end of the season” sale at the local greenhouse, and I got quite the deal. But then I had to actually plant the stuff. That is why there is a jungle outside my front door.
I decided the area of maximum enjoyment, minimum effort for my garden would be the areas next to the house on either side of my front steps. I artistically planted alternating cherry tomatoes, yellow bell tomatoes, green peppers and marigolds of varying sizes. It looked great, and the marigolds had the reputation of keeping insect pests away from their plant friends. Unfortunatley, this repuation turned out not to be totally deserved, as the aphid infestation came in spite of their best efforts. The other side of the house got more tomatoes and the vining plants mixed in with colorful flowers. The remaining flowers were put in another flower bed and various pots.
I believe that in my enthusiasm I may have planted everything just a little too close together. The tomato plants have “taken over the world.” If I have any green peppers, I don’t know it. There are dozens of little green tomatoes on the vines. I have harvested two cherry tomatoes, which were divine. I pore over the plants everyday, but am stymied by the tangle of branches which threaten to break if I prod too aggressively.
Enter the villian: Fall, bringing its freezing nighttime temperatures. I have rounded up tarps and old sleeping bags and have been covering my treasures every night. So far it seems to be working. That may be because there haven’t really been any freezing temps yet, but tonight …..oh tonight they are predicting the big one. I’ll do my best, but one of these nights, my best is not going to be good enough. Then we will see windowsillfulls of green tomatoes. Unless it all gets to be too much and I lose interest in the whole thing.

UltraMom, Gardener Extraordinaire (?)
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[[Picture Removed due to the request of the UltraVain]]
Me & UltraBob in front of the infant garden