just in time for Thanksgiving: early carrots and late beans

I didn't thin all the carrot seedlings as thoroughly as I should have, as you can see from this curly duo.

But overall, I'm thrilled with this season's early group of little "Carnival Blend" (from Botanical Interests) carrots. I, like many other Austin gardeners, doubted that those seeds I planted the first week of August when the weather was consistently in the upper 90s and dry would actually make it. I had to hand water them three times a day every day for at least a month. I'll plant more seeds in the new bare spots tomorrow and hope for the best.

The "Contender" and "Royal Burgundy" green beans have been consistently producing for awhile but are winding down now. I'll definitely try them again in the spring! I plan to pull out the bean plants this weekend and, although it may be a little late, plant more garlic and shallots in the bean beds.

All my lettuces (leaf, Lolla Rossa, Little Gem, and  romaine) are looking good except for some damage from Leopard Moth black woolly caterpillars. The caterpillars and some grasshoppers seem to have moved from my kale to the broccoli and cauliflower. I hope the cooler weather we're supposed to get this weekend slows them down.

My front yard isn't looking so great, but it primarily consists of established drought-tolerant plants, so it ought to bounce back next spring. I prefer to save water for the vegetable garden and practice a little tough love elsewhere.