As Autumn sets in here in Vegas....

This year blew by so quickly, I didn't have a chance to share any garden pictures. And frankly, I didn't have a lot of time to put into it -  but there's nothing like walking in the back yard and picking a few veggies to add to dinner. 

I usually start most of the plans from seed, and I did that with some zucchini seeds that I saved from last year,

but most plants came from the local nursery. No shame in that.

The garden went from bare... 

to bursting in a short time. 

And soon - there were more tomatoes than I could handle.

 Zucchini too. 

One thing I noticed - this years' pest infestation seemed to be at a minimum. I'm not sure why, but the squash bugs weren't as bad this year as they have been in the past. 

One real performer was the nectarine tree - it was so laden with fruit that the branches were snapping off under the weight.

 We made several pies, using my mom's peach pie recipe.

 Whoever said you can't make a pie with nectarines was wrong - it's delicious! 

And grilled zucchini  was on the menu all summer long. 

Even the artichoke plants did their part and produced some amazing meals. I cut the artichoke plants down by the end of July, when they were infested with aphids. 

But they've rebounded and grown tall again. 

They're perennials, and they're the gift that keeps giving ... so  year after year, they provide amazing 'chokes. 

Believe it or not, there is a huge grasshopper living in one of the artichoke plants, and he/she greets me almost every morning. 

You're going to think I'm nuts, but this grasshopper has started to wave at me each morning. 

It started when I waved at it one morning, when I walked near the plant. 

And - to my surprise - he/she waved back! 

I've been trying to catch it on a video, so you won't think I'm crazy - but I haven't been able to. 

I'll keep trying. 

Almost every morning - we play hide and seek with each other. 

I'm not sure where grasshoppers go in the winter, but the cooler temps are definitely on their way. 

The leaves are starting to turn, and it's time to start thinking about next year's garden!