Garden Update

We have had some pretty mild temps here lately, but it has been super dry. Overall the garden seems to be slowing down, however, it definitely has some plants that are still hard at work.

What used to be the lovely bed of pumpkins is now quite empty.

The pumpkins started going downhill quite a few weeks ago, due mainly to powdery mildew, I believe, but also I think some insects made their way in as well.

Sadly, what began as about 15 pumpkins initially, dwindled down to these 6. They are very pretty little guys, but time will tell if they got mature enough to actually cook with them.

You can see several of these sweet, little melons still laying around.

And there are even lots of little flowers popping up to make me think that things are still trying to make it.

But, when you look at the overall picture, the plants just dont seem to have it in them any longer.

The basil beckons me with its lovely aroma every time I walk past. I think thats its way of reminding me that I need to make it into pesto before it goes to seed. Its on my list of things to do this week. I have already made one batch. But clearly, I have enough to make much more.

The green beans have really slowed down.

I did get a handful this afternoon.

And this row of beans was one that we planted a month or so ago when we noticed that our initial batch of beans was beginning to taper off.

When I looked today they had some very pretty beans waiting for me.


Quite a few it looks like. I hope we get a good harvest off of them before the first frost arrives.

And wow. I have really enjoyed these peppers. They are very prolific plants and the peppers are very sweet and crispy. And really? I chose them based solely on their name. "Lipstick Peppers". How can you not like that name?

My pickling cucumbers look really bad.

But still seem to want to share their love with me. I have been very, very happy with this variety, "Diamant".

And, of course, not to be forgotten, are my tomatoes. The San Marzanos have proven to be a great sauce tomato. Very meaty and not too many seeds. BUT, Im just not sure that I want to deal with the BER(blossom end rot) every year.


I leave you with this great little cherry tomato called, Isis Candy.

And is it ever sweet. The little guy just loves to pop these in his mouth as we are out harvesting. This will for sure be in my garden next season.

Garden Update

It has been hot. Really hot. Today we topped out at a sultry 93 degrees. Right now as I write this it is 903 pm and we have dropped to a pleasant 84 degrees.

To combat the heat we do fun things. This is one of G's sprinklers.



It has little misters(I totally just made that word up right now) on the side and then every minute or so it blows its top. This part makes G laugh every time.


He likes the idea of a sprinkler, but insists that he doesnt want to get wet in the sprinkler. So, he goes in with his shield to keep himself dry.


But wait, its also a rain barrel. What? You cant tell the difference?


And this is a wet Darby. She likes to get wet in the sprinkler.

Alright, on to the garden. Please note my interim garden shoes.


I am growing, what I hope will turn out to be a sunflower house, for G. Look past all the weeds, please.

And these little sunflowers are in a delicate phase right now. That means that the "big" weed eater is not allowed near them. So, I must resort to special tools.


But look how pretty it looks when Im all done!


On to the tomatoes.

Yay! Little maters.


And little basils.

Taters and red peppers.


Onions.


Green beans, edamame, and cukes.



Baby cukes.


Flowering green beans.

And great big pumpkins.

With little bitty pumpkins.

Garden Update

This past weekend we have been super busy outside. See? This is what we got done.

The neighborly side.


And our side.


I got to use this fantastically, fun tool to put all those pickets up.


Very sharp nails that go into said fantastically, fun tool.


The gate still needs to be hung.


S is working on it as I type.


While we were busy doing all that....the garden was busy, too.

My heirloom zucchini.


Cantaloupe.


Watermelon.


Pumpkins.


Green beans, edamame, and cukes. (pickling and slicing).


Notice that empty spot? Yeah. That one. Right there. Uh huh. It used to have a cuke plant in it.


Till this little firecracker thought it would be fun to run thru all my beds. Not only did she run thru them, but she had a cuke for a snack.


Fingerling potatoes.


Red peppers.


Tomatoes.


Tomatoes.


You just never know when you may need a snack out here.


Oh, and wait. Tomatoes.


Little, tiny basil sprouts.


So, thats all the beds.


And before the day is over what is in these packages will be made into lovely row covers for my melons, pumpkins, and squash. To keep all the pesky bugs out.


Yummy peas.


Carrots. I am really thinking that I need to thin them. I am SO bad at thinning. Do I need to thin them right now? Did I need to thin them yesterday?


And a few colorful things as well.

Knock Out Rosebush.


Shasta daisy.


One of my many daylilies starting to bud out.


And little violas...These make me smile every time I see them. Do you see a little mustached face when you look at these, too?