Harvest Days: What’s Growing in the Late Summer Garden

This August felt fab in the garden. After months of careful tending, the plants are finally giving us back some lovely harvests. I can smell the herbs, and see calendula growing beautifully. It’s a time of gratitude.

This year, the garden has surprised us in the best ways. I can happily say it has been a success so far.

What I’m Harvesting Right Now??

Here’s a little summary of what’s happening in the garden these weeks:

Rainbow Carrots – Sweet, crunchy, and a little uneven but still perfect just as they are, love the colours, this is the second year I’ve grown this variety. I still have some carrots in the ground that might be harvested next time we come back to Offaly.

Potatoes – Digging these up always feels like finding a treasure. It’s exciting, I have to say! My husband always looks after the potatoes, and I focus on other tasks 😄 

Calendula – I’ve been drying these for my body balms, calendula salve, body butter and face oil. I am hoping to grow a little more next year. I grew a few plants in Sligo as well this year.

See my calendula range skincare remedies, or natural soaps

Herbs – Mint, thyme, sage, and chamomile in abundance. I have been drying some of these for soap-making workshops and teas.

Onions – So happy that we grew onions, the harvest this year was fabulous. We also got shallot varieties and I’m so delighted we have loads for cooking.

Courgettes, chard, beets, and peas – The garden keeps on giving, filling baskets with colour and flavour. Sometimes I don’t know what to do with al the harvest and I have to be creative.

In the Midlands, the dry weather has kept my sunflowers very happy, while in Sligo, I’ve been harvesting cucumbers, cucamelons, and chilli peppers. The tomatoes are taking their time, as always, not quite red yet, but slowly ripening in their own rhythm.

As some of you know, I keep up with two garden projects, which can be quite a commitment. Somehow I’ve managed to balance both, though if it ever becomes too much, I know I’ll have to slow down. For now, It feels okay!

Lessons from the Garden

Gardening is never just about growing things; it’s about patience, observation, and appreciation. Not every seed germinated this year, and a few seedlings were eaten by slugs and the caterpillars before they had a chance. But that’s part of the story too. It’s impossible not to find these challenges.

The garden teaches me to slow down, adjust when needed, and celebrate the little wins. The imperfect moments are just as valuable as the big harvests.

How You Can Start Your Own Late Summer-Autumn Patch

You don’t need a big garden to grow your own. Even a small patch or a window sill its great. If you’re curious about starting now, here are some ideas:

• Sow fast-growing greens like rocket, mustard,  lettuce, or chard.
• Plant a pot of parsley or chives for your kitchen windowsill.
•  Harvest herbs such as mint before the season shifts.
• If you’ve already planted, don’t forget to save seeds for next year! I already have some flower seeds, like calendula ones 🙂

I find that even one plant can change how you feel about the seasons and your food.

Using the Harvest: What I’m Making

The garden doesn’t stop at the basket, when you harvest. I’ve been drying calendula for oil infusions, drying herbs for teas and workshop material, and even swapping plants and veggies with close-by friends and neighbours. There’s always something rewarding about turning what you’ve grown into something or even to share with others.

Final Thoughts: Tending to More Than Just Plants

This season reminds me that tending a garden is also about tending to myself, being present, getting my hands in the soil, and remembering that slow and steady has its own kind of magic.

Even if you’re harvesting a basket full of vegetables or simply picking some mint for your tea, I hope this post encourages you to notice what’s around you and maybe even plant a seed of your own. After all, every harvest, big or small, is worth it!