Garden Update
It’s been a busy couple days in the garden. The heat has finally broken and I can get outside without melting. What’s Happening?
One Growbox is done, the zucchini and cucumbers succumbed to powdery mildew, there were no blossoms active so out they came.
In the Squarefoot bed, the squash is turning into “Frankensquash.” The normal stem has turned more ribbon like and there is a large cluster of tiny squashes. Have yours done this?
I cleaned out some “squares” and added more soil mix (1/3 each by volume, peat, vermiculite and manure). I got a nice little surprise when cleaning out one of the squares that I had grown green onions. These little treasure were hiding under the soil.
I put in carrots, beets, radish, lettuce, bush beans,kale and bok choi. Hopefully we’ll get something from them. Here’s a couple squares.
We’ve been getting good harvests and the cucumbers in particular keep on coming. Almost to 50 lbs from three plants. Well, two plants now. I know it’s normal, but I still am thrilled to pick a few pounds one night, go out the next and get another three plus pounds. It makes me happy.
Picked some peppers yesterday. I’m a little paranoid to let them go all the way on the vine. Seem like when I do, some critter gets to them or they rot or in some way become unusable. Not happening this year. I’ll pick a little early and be sure to have something to eat.
These peppers are big. In my hand for scale.
I also picked a couple of the giant marconis. The big one is 8″ long.
Are you planting fall crops? When are your frost dates?
Until next time, Keep Digging & Eat Well!
The Gastronomic Gardener
August 16, 2011
>super duper! my marconi's fell victim to the 'oh its 100* and i'm gonna drop my blossoms' – so boo.. but i love that i can see yours. are they the red ones?
also – totally LMAO over your cocktail suggesting – if you have a sec, go and check out my comments for how i'd make it. hee hee hee hee hee
hope that you are loving this weather as much as i do! dang – why isnt it like this all year?
🙂
August 16, 2011
>Jealous over those beautiful peppers, since mine are so far behind. Like Ohiofarmgirl, mine are just now setting more blossoms after the summer drop. Hopefully we'll have a long, warm autumn to make up for being three weeks behind this year, but summer temps have consistently been 10-15 degrees below normal (this morning being no exception. It's 65F, should be at least 75F). Our first frost is usually around October 10.
August 16, 2011
>Oh, I forgot…yes, my yellow crookneck squash have put out a group of blossoms just like that. I only noticed it happening a couple of times, and can't remember how many of the fruits survived, if any. I do remember posting a picture and commenting about it in my blog, as I thought it was unusual.
August 16, 2011
>Great Harvest. Those peppers are huge! Lucky you getting to have fall plantings! This time next month everything should be pulled out of my garden.
August 17, 2011
>Oh OFG – sorry to hear the Marconi peppers. We had the heat but things survived OK. I certainly am enjoying the cooler weather. I still sweat, but at least I have to do something in order to work up a sweat as opposed to just stepping outside.
Granny, You've got nothing to be envious of.. Lets see what the autumn brings. I wonder why the squash do that – one last gasp at reproduction?
You must be north Mrs Pickles. I'm hoping to get to Oct 15 and maybe stretch it a bit with hoop houses. SHould be fun!
August 17, 2011
>Very good harvest indeed and wow on the cukes. I haven't planted my fall crops yet but maybe next month. Our first frost date is 15 October. It's exciting to know it is nearing when it is so hot outside.
August 17, 2011
>Tina, you better get busy! You only have 60 days left!
August 17, 2011
>I know what you mean about picking a little early. I'm doing that, too, with some of my Tomatoes. I get so impatient and don't want to lose them to critters or mold or end-rot. Congrats on the harvest!
August 20, 2011
>Plantpostings – Seems to be effective method, pick a little early and let things ripen up on the window sill..