Time to stop planting

 As it is almost the first of July, I guess it is time to stop planting in my garden. Elaine and I like fresh vegetables for as long as they are available. So I plant smaller plantings of certain vegetables, but plant them several times. Yesterday I planted another small row of string beans. This makes the third planting of beans, each planting about 2 weeks apart. I have also planted peas for a third time, while I've been harvesting my first planting. My summer squash and zucchini are both starting to show fruit, so I planted a few more squash to help extend my squash season. With any luck, and if the first frost doesn't come early, I should be able to have my own fresh vegetables into September and October. Of course, now as my garden ripens, the preservation of these vegetables for the winter begins. Freezing, canning, dehydrating, and just plain old dry storing of the root vegetables. Some times it seems a bit overwhelming, but then I go to the grocery store and see the produce prices. After seeing those prices, the work of having a garden doesn't seem hard at all. And best of all, it tastes better when you grow it yourself.