Just picked the last of the garden---never have gone into Nov!!!

I am so excited. Here is my fall update:

I just picked the carrots today and I am officially done out in the garden until spring. It is a little mind boggling thinking of harvesting in mid November in Minnesota. This has been the best garden summer ever and I can honestly say except for some cucumber, NOTHING went to waste this year.

As crazy at it sounds, by planting such huge amounts it was easier to keep up with the garden. Instead of having to wait to make sure I had enough tomato or peppers to make salsa and then have some go bad while I waited, I ALWAYS had something that could be processed. It was worth my time to can 8 full qts of beans versus one or two qts. Or have bags full of carrots to freeze, can etc all at once versus a smaller amount here and there.I have shelves full of canned salsa (several varieties), tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce, different kinds of pickles, jams, green beans etc...

Because I just got done with the last of the picking, I spent today out cleaning out all the flower beds, starting a new compost pile for next spring (DH went and threw in large branches and tons of weeds and other items into the existing pile and I think we are just going to have to burn the old pile ) I also let the last batch of beans dry on the cattle panel tunnel so I was able to shell them today and havehundreds of bean seeds next year. The kids cleared out their flower beds and we could seriously start a marigold business with the amount of marigold seeds the oldest saved it is a ziplock sandwhich bag that is crammed full to the top. Thankfully he didn't decided to pluck the seeds from all the marigolds.

And now the fun begins....I already am drawing out next springs garden

Congratulations! That's impressive!
I know just what you mean about November. I'm stunned, too.
I just picked the last of my zucchini, had some peas and broccoli while I covered up, and checked on my spinach and lettuce (tiny). Gai lan is just about ready to harvest, and I still have beets and carrots coming for Thanksgiving. I used to garden in Massachusetts, years ago, and never had it this good.
And yes, I'm working on next year's plans, too!
j