backyard II ( helianthus and solanum )

the jerusalem artichoke blooms are increasing in number and the aggressive plants in the bed on the south side of the house are topping out at around ten feet tall ( and having a much better season than they did in last year's drought when a five footer was a giant )...there are several other stands out in the back jungle that are not as tall but are much denser in population and will produce a prolific number of tubers as the autumn approaches...the potatoes have already started the tuber season...the one in the fourth photo was pretty well along so i popped it up it the spading fork. dragged the tubers inside to the sink, washed them, and...dinner with a bit of butter and cheese...my backyard's carrying capacity played a part in tonight's dinner...that is gratifying...and a utilitarian return on a moderate amount of work...and, since the seed potatoes were bought locally about a mile and a half down the road there are fewer food miles involved than if i had bought the spuds at the supermarket by the corn field where i got the cheese and butter...a small ( very ) step in learning to be a bit more self-sufficient and sustainable...so much more to learn