September already? How did that happen?
This time around, I'm actually quite happy for another month behind me! I'm now five weeks out from hysterectomy surgery, so I'm much closer to my normal active self than last time I posted. It also means the cooler weather is getting just a wee bit closer. Of course here in Atlanta we have plenty of summer temperatures left, but hints of cooler nights are beginning and I am here for it.
It also means the warmer weather crops have basically been roasted to oblivion in the later summer heat, so we've pulled up a lot of the dying tomatoes, squash, and cucumbers. And by we, I mean @dksart. 🤣
Luckily, I was feeling spunky enough to help get a few things planted for Autumn. We've traditionally been pretty bad at getting things in the ground this time of year, so I'm hoping we actually get a few crops as the seasons change!
In the large bed above I direct-sowed beets, radishes, parsnips and carrots. We've had luck with the first two, but this is a first for the latter. The bunny has so far avoided our latest resident, the hawk, so he better stay away from my carrots!
We've had luck in the raised beds with the leafy stuff in the past, so after amending with a little more compost after pulling out the patty pan squash I planted some seeds. Mustard greens in the first and a lettuce variety in the second.
Once we pull out the squash from the other two beds, I plan on adding bok choy and purple kale. Given how hot it still is during the day, I don't think waiting another week or two on those is a bad idea.
After a dud year in 2022, the turmeric we re-planted seems to be making a strong comeback! We have this small bed with four sturdy plants, and another plant that popped up where we used to have it. Besides being a wonderful crop to use in all kinds of cooking, they pretty much grow on their own with little tending on our part!
In other exciting news, our fig tree seems to have bounced back marvelously after a spring beetle attack! We (again, the royal version) cut back the impacted limbs with fingers crossed. The new growth has far exceeded expectations, with signs of actual fruit! I'm not sure if they'll have long enough to ripen before the cold hits, but I'm hoping so. If not, let's also hope those pesky beetles stay away next year so I can have an actual harvest!
And finally, I promise.
The very last Candy Roaster of the season. We got a few stragglers off the vine, putting our total for the year around the 60-pound mark. Thank goodness these last on the counter for a while. I'm slowly but surely working my way through!
I've got plans to get cauliflower, broccoli, and a few more items in for this upcoming season, so we'll see if I can actually keep the garden journals going for longer than usual! Thanks to @riverflows and the @gardenhive team for this monthly prompt. As always, it's a welcoming and enjoyable little niche on Hive to be a part of!
As always, so lovely to get a post from you for the Garden Journal! How are you feeling after your operation, five weeks on? I imagine you are starting to really heal, and all those vegetables and planks must speedy up the recovery!
It's Spring here and everyone's getting excited about the warmer weather. Looks like we are headed for a hot one too - not looking forward to it!
You'll be sorry to see those squashes go - until another year!
Definitely making progress on the healing front! Really trying to stay patient, but it's getting tougher now that I'm starting to feel much closer to normal again. I have my final post-op appointment on the 21st, so fingers crossed I'm cleared for all of the things!
I do love these in-between seasons. I wouldn't be upset if we just had spring and fall alternating year-round. 🤣 Though I suppose the hot and cold months make the temperate ones all the more enjoyable.
You've been curated by @plantpoweronhive! Delegations welcome!
Is this a drum? I love it. I hope I can also do the same (if I can find some cheap drum).
@dksart found them to buy locally. They were big container drums that he cut in half to use as raised beds. They've worked quite well for certain things, and definitely are easier to work in being waist-high!
Happy to hear that you're feeling better after your surgery, going under the knife is never easy.
60 pounds of the candy roaster squash, that's some haul! Like you said, it's a good thing it lasts for a while. We have also planted a few veggies for the 2nd time this year, lettuce, radishes, and string beans. We have a shorter growing season than you have in Atlanta, but fingers crossed that the warmer season sticks around for a while.
Those dam beetles seem to have invaded a lot of areas. It was a constant battle trying to keep them from eating everything in their sight. I guess they really liked your fig trees, but at least they seemed to have survived even if you don't get any figs this year, there's always next year.
Have a wonderful day.
You know all too well how that surgery recovery goes, right? Tough to be patient when you're used to moving around all day for work and play! But I am going to be so happy in another month or so to be fully healed and even better than before.
I am definitely not upset with the squash haul! We'll be enjoying those in one way or another for months to come. We didn't have enough of anything else to really save for later, but I'm always happy when we have enough to enjoy fresh throughout the season.
I think the radish seeds I planted the other day are already starting to sprout, so we'll see how everything else does!
Good tidings to you and @farm-mom!
Better than before, that's the goal.
Our first go-around with the radishes did not work out. Planted them too late and the heat of the summer had them bolting, we only got a handful the first time around. That's a good thing, they sprout in only a few days and are supposed to be ready to pick in 30 days or so.
Be well!
I hope what you plant has a satisfying harvest later @plantstoplanks
Thank you! That's always the goal!
OOOh! Very nice about the fig! I'll manifest no beetles for you next year, they sound awful. I tried to grow figs for years in NYS, but the winters were too cold to produce fruits unless I winterized the tree, which I only got around to doing once. Even then, I only got a few figs. It was a beautiful shrub though. I loved that thing. I miss it.
Sixty pounds of squash? Holy cow. Does the plant take up a lot of room? I'd like to try it next year.
You've reminded me I have to get some parsnips in. goldenoak farms says they can be harvested in January where I live, and I'm trying to get winter harvests going.
Very nice garden journal post!!
Thanks @owasco! Even down here some of those late frosts can really mess with the figs, but luckily we have quite a few varieties that will grow in this zone. Definitely keeping all my fingers and toes crossed for next year!
We've had some good squash hauls in the past, but this was most certainly a record. The Candy Roasters grow just like other pumpkins and squash in that family--they vine out like crazy. So they really don't take up a lot of bed space for us since we plant them in a low bed then just let them grow out into the yard.
Have you grown parsnips before? This is our first time trying, so we'll see how they turn out. One of my farmers at the market grows them, so at least I know if mine don't take I'll still be able to enjoy them locally! They're one of my favorites to roast!
Actually, it's best to get crops and seeds ready before planting season so as to kick off immediately as at when due.
I really enjoyed your garden journal. Always keep us updated
Yes! I often miss the time to get the seeds in the ground for the colder months, but I think I've hit it correctly this year! We'll see in a few months how things turn out!