We harvested one of the smaller watermelons because the bottom was starting to rot and turn black. I haven't found out what was causing it. The watermelon was not too sweet but still very good. We continued to harvest the rest of the watermelons each week. The biggest melon was excellent. My youngest loves watermelon. Watermelons take a long time to grow and the harvest is not as good as other vegetables but it was worth it to see how big the watermelons can grow.
I can't believe how much the stinkbugs have multiplied. They are all over the tomatoes. I thought they would die out with the cooler weather. I have been trying so hard to keep my garden as pesticide-free as possible but I am not winning this war against bugs! I found another great website for gardeners and they recommended that I spray with insectide. Since it's so late in the season, I'll just let the stinkbugs live for now. http://garden.org/pestlibrary/bugs.php?q=show&id=1636 
wanted to expand the patio for a long time but was waiting for the right time. During the summer, we picked up some free brick from a construction site. I spent a lot of time researching online and home improvement books on the right way to lay down the bricks for the patio. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of all the steps but you can find it online from any home improvement site. Lowe's and youtube has some pretty good videos on how to do it.
I love the way it looks. It was back breaking and a very slow process. I just wished that it could somehow blend it with the existing concrete patio but it doesn't. It still looks pretty neat though. I also added a flower bed along the side to add some color. I planted some marigolds, mums, butterfly weeds and a Rose-of-Sharon shrub.
Fall is just around the corner and I have not done any planting for the fall garden, yet. I finally cleared out the cucumbers and some of the scallop squash plants. I disconnected the long beans from the fence attached them to the other side where the cucumbers used to be. Now, I can actually walk through the back of the garden. The garden is starting to look a lot thinner and maybe even organized.
The tomatoes have been a pain to harvest because it has over-grown so much! I had to cute out some vines just to get to them. I need to do a little more planning next year and leave some more space for exponential growth from the tomatoes. We harvested mostly cherry tomatoes but the hybrids are finally turning red. The sad thing is I am not a big fan of eating raw tomatoes. I usually freeze it and keep it for soups and papaya salad. 
Watermelons have been doing so well this year. The biggest one is probably close to 5 lbs. After transpanting mid-summer, I didn't think they were even going to make it. The girls are so excited to pick them. We just have to wait a little longer.
The ornamental gourds are also doing well. They spreading everywhere and it's been difficult trying to keep them within the garden so Jimmy doesn't mow over them. Hopefully, they will be ready in time for Fall. 
Beautiful sunset. I don't have the best camera but I thought this pretty good. I heart sunsets.
I was poking around in the garden yesterday and found a watermelon about the size of a football. I can't wait to pick it but I think it still has a long time from now. I also saw 2 other smaller melons. My girls are going to be so surprise to find them. 
My biggest scallop squash so far. The picture doesn't do it justice but it's probably close to 10" in diameter. I should have left to see how big it could grow.
I have seen these bugs all throughout the year and I thought they were ladybugs. Apparently, not! It turns out they are really spotted and striped cucumber beetles. They have been reeking havoc in my garden and I thought they the "good" bugs. I thought ladybugs are suppose to come in all colors. http://www.ladybuglady.com/stripes.htm
