We had a light rain last night, so my morning watering was much easier.
Normally, I will put water to the base of the plant until it begins to pond or run off, then I'll move on to the next and repeat. Then come back a second round so that this time it soaks in.
Didn't have to do that this morning.
In the back of this photo, you can see a large tomato bush inside a round fence. That was my original, the start of this years garden.
It was already 12 inches tall when I bought it, and it has produced a lot of fruit.
All these started turning almost the same time, so I brought them in to finish on my window sills, they are almost all gone now, eaten or given away.
There is a second gen coming on now, some beginning to show color, and in the younger tomato plants I installed later, those too are beginning to show color (see top image)
It has been somewhat a challenge, a lot of work as the dirt here is very high in clay and rock, making digging very difficult.
My cucumbers have produced prodigiously (I suppose anyway, since I've never grown them, nor even picked them before)
I think this is its last gasp though, for this year anyway
When I began this adventure, after that first tomato (along with Basil and Oregano planted too close to it) I installed a row, with a Poblano pepper plant, the Cucumber, a Yellow "Crook neck" Squash, and a bell pepper plant, all in a row, all about 12 inches apart.
Big mistake, as the cuke quickly over took everything (Plus, my niece told me that squash and cucumber would cross pollinate and you'd have fruits tasting like a combination, so I moved the squash plant, and it has NOT been happy, but it is now finally looking better, but there is a problem with it there)
That is the squash in the lower right quadrant. For the first months, I got ONE fruit, it stayed small so I went ahead and cut it; I didn't want it to turn into a gourd.
Forever more after that, the plant would bloom mightily, but the fruit always rotted, and finally I spotted a slug (snail without a shell) had been munching.
(There's the slug)
I was advised to get some "Diatomaceous Earth" (I did) and some BT
What is Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)?
Bt is a microbe naturally found in soil. It makes proteins that are toxic to immature insects (larvae). There are many types of Bt. Each targets different insect groups. Target insects include beetles, mosquitoes, black flies, caterpillars, and moths.
Those things have helped over all, but my squash still isn't producing, maybe it will continue to come out of its shell.
It certainly looks happier.
And there is just ONE fruit developing on it as of right now
I've never seen an orange lady bug, so I had to ask what this was
My Okra never did produce a LOT, and I am currently letting one pod stay put to fully develop for seed next year.
I was astounded at how fast the pods would grow, watering in the evening a pod might be as long as my pinkie finger, then by morning large enough to almost be no good for anything but frying
There are many buds left, so maybe I'll still get some good pods
When I went back out just now to get some of these photos, I noticed that my cucumber is again invading one of the tomato cages
So I'll finish with my peppers.
Poblano
Habanero
And
Sweet Bell Pepper
I started to go into my flowers out front, but this is enough for today.
"My Garden Journal for August 2021"
by
Jerry E Smith
©08/03/2021
All images are original.
I would like to thank @owasco for turning me on to this challenge
I also think that @wwwiebe and @zekepickleman might enjoy this challenge.
by
Jerry E Smith
©08/03/2021
All images are original.
I would like to thank @owasco for turning me on to this challenge
I also think that @wwwiebe and @zekepickleman might enjoy this challenge.
Alas, for me, I had some time away from home, and when I returned, garden has seen better days. Tomatoes are thriving though!
I love to see that you're having such good success. There's a definite serenity in growing things and seeing them grow and flourish, even if we are just going to eat them in the end.
even if we are just going to eat them in the end.or in the middle ha ha ha... I'm glad you still have those maters to eat Victor that is still a good thing. Perhaps some of the rest will come back now that your time away is over @wwwiebeMany ripe tomatoes can be seen. We don't have tomato season here now. However, many ladies fingers can be seen on the ladies finger tree in your garden. The garden is really amazing.
Thank you very much @kawsar8035 Most of those that remain now are green, I believe I seen the last of the cucumbers this year but there is hope.
Thanks for reading and commenting
I see your squash has a touch of mildew. I struggle to grow the squash family because I get it too. To prevent this, you need space, good sun and airflow and no watering in the afternoon. In my case, there is too much sun and this seems to wreck the plants
I saw that mold, and it is ONLY on the squash plant, although everything in my garden is very close together.
I thought the slugs were spreading it.
When blooms fall off, they mold like that. On the ground.
There is nothing to impede the airflow, it gets full sun from about 8 am-4 pm, and I do water morning and evening. If it hasn't rained that much recently.
Thanks for the tips @nikv
It all looks so good! I love that you started with one plant, then your garden kept growing from there.
I am so jealous of your cucumbers! I love cucumbers, and got about 6 before the tomatoes starting blocking all their sun and the vines withered and died. I'd advise you not to try to move that cuke vine, or it will just die.
Last year I got lots of zukes, but those early ones did rot. This year all the fruit rotted, so I just dug the whole plant up and put in one okra. My first fruit is just coming on now. That okra plant is the only thing in my tiny plot that has enough room. I guess I better go check on it every day if they grow that quickly. Looks to me like you will get many more.
I'm so glad you joined us this month.
I'm glad you told me about it @owasco.
Those Cucumbers have tried spreading out across the grass, into that tomato and the others behind it too, pulling the other tomato cages over so that now it looks like a tiny tightrope walkers practice area. Wires holding up long tomato limbs, tying cages together (the big one is tied to the fence behind it.) so they are all interconnected.
My garden last year was so interlaced with pest control and plant control that I had to make like a tai chi master to pick a cucumber. It was absurd. This year I started with a fence that has, so far, kept out ground hogs, deer, rabbits, squirrels and chipmunks. I'll do that every year from now on. First, amend the soil, then, a really good fence. Once I put the plants in, I have no idea what's going to happen from that point on. Hit and Miss as @plantstoplanks calls it. But I learn a lot, and I eat very well. Can't complain!
Fantastic!!!!! I must say I'm loving harvest time over there. Looks like quite an abundant year... and here's me just putting in chilli seeds!!! You make me want to order more varieties.
I was reading about squash bugs elsewhere.. it's not a problem we have in Australia, not to my knowledge anyway.
Great garden, thanks for sharing!!!
Thank you for reading and commenting @riverflows
Oh hell yah! Timing is good too because I have a garden visit after a few days away camping.
You have me with cucumber jealousy as mine are struggling compared to the rest of the stuff.
How hot are the Poblanos?
Cucumber jealousy is real!!! I feel ya! 🥒
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Thank you @marcocarsio, @cribbio and @gasaeightyfive for the reblogs