Garden Friday

 

 

Welcome to Garden Friday.

We had a taste of the storm Elsa yesterday,

but thankfully, nothing major to report.

We don't miss our hurricane days in Florida.

 

 

Our potato harvest was disappointingly small,

and I haven't quite figured out why.

They were planted in April, 

so they should have had plenty of time to size up and multiply.

We used organic potatoes from our Misfits order,

so I'm not sure if the fact that we didn't use "seed" potatoes made the difference.

Here's where we planted them.

 

After a few days of spotty rain,

the newly planted pumpkins decided to pop up.

We have two varieties started,

Cider Jack and Sugar Pie.

We haven't yet grown pumpkins successfully,

so we are hoping this is the year we reach our goal.

pumpkins

 

 

 

 The sweet potatoes are taking their time

sprawling on the cattle panel support.

By this time last year, we were crawling in vines,

but as any gardener knows, every year is different.

 

The melons seem to be getting a late start.

We at last have some flowers, although I haven't yet seen

any female flowers.

I'll keep a watch on them.

 

 

There are a few beets that could be harvested,

but since there's no rush, I'm leaving 'em be.

I'm actually surprised that they are growing in this heat.

Another round of beets will be sown in the fall.

 

 One of the treats awaiting me in the garden

are our delicious and juicy strawberries,

gifted us by a friend.

Her plants offer up the most scrumptious fruit

that are red all the way through.

It looks like there will be more on the way,

as many more flowers are appearing.

 

 

Several more volunteer butternut squash plants

have shown up around the chicken run.

Must be all that fabulous fertilizer around there.

 

 The loofah is blooming!  The loofah is blooming!

We'll soon have some to eat and some to let grow

for use in scrubbing ourselves silly!

I can't wait to see if the chooks will enjoy snacking on the fruit.

It tastes similar to zucchini.

 

 

Well, there are things out there 

that are eating our food.

This broccoli plant is peppered with holes.

Someone is certainly enjoying the greens.

Unfortunately, it's not us.

 

 

We know the culprit here-squirrels.

Last year, they climbed up our 14 foot sunflowers

and managed to scarf down every seed they could find.

Slowly but surely, all the sunflowers around the chicken run

are being chewed or knocked down for the same purpose.

 

 

When I manage to find a head that still has some seeds,

I bring it inside to dry,

so that the seeds can be saved for next year's planting.

 

Would you look at what I discovered yesterday on one of the milkweed plants?

I don't think they are monarch caterpillars,

but I won't know for sure until they get a bit bigger.

Monarchs usually bite the edges of the leaves,

and leave a cleaner cut, not this lacy effect.

This is the front of the leaf,

and this is the back.

We have plenty of milkweed planted,

so I have no idea why they all chose this one plant.

I should be able to identify them within the next couple of days.

 

The first California poppies are in bloom!

This is a first time plant for me,

and I think I will enjoy adding them to various parts of the garden.

They love full sun and don't require much in the way of steady watering,

as far as I can tell.

It's been fun adding a few new flowers to the garden beds.

Here's hoping that you are discovering new things in your garden every day!