Fall blooms and garden harvests

 A few years ago, Kathryn had a New Years resolution to grow something from a seed, and that idea quickly grew into a sizeable balcony garden with a nice selection of tasty vegetables, savoury spices, and hummingbird-friendly flowers. Much like her father, she enjoys growing hot peppers, and while not AS hot as the ones Bevan cultivates, these ones have been pleasantly fiery and recently helped out with a turkey curry.

 This is her second year of growing tomatoes and they have done very well although the extreme heat of this summer has kept them a little more parched than would be ideal, even after nightly waterings. Still, that cluster of delicious multicoloured fruits goes to show that her efforts are far from in vain.

 Rounding out the set, a few years ago Valerie brought several cuttings from her hoya plant, which had always been a favorite of Kathryn's. Since then, not only have the plants thrived and grown several feet of vines which are currently weaving around the vertical blinds by the balcony, but for the first time every they are blossoming. There are currently 4 little clusters of waxy, earthy-smelling flowers which have all opened in the last few days, much to our delight.