Garden Friday

 

 

 

It's been a wet and stormy week,

and we're happy to report no serious damage

on this Garden Friday.

We were blessed with over 3" of rain,

after being without any precipitation for many weeks.

 

The loofah is gracing us with beautiful blooms,

and is starting to cover the top of the frame.

The bees are its constant companion.

 

A few fruit were spied on the vines yesterday.

These will be eaten when less than 8",

and I will enjoy a wonderful zucchini substitute.

I want to see if the chooks will eat them as well.

Checking on the pumpkins,

I couldn't help but notice there were no female flowers visible.

The plants look fairly healthy,

with the exception of a bit of squash beetle damage.

 

Our okra is way behind the growing season,

but marching on just the same.

We'll see if we're able to harvest some for pickling.

Depending on how long summer lasts,

we could get lucky.

 

The hyacinth bean tepees are looking glorious.

They are being covered in delicate purple blooms.

These are purely ornamental, and they add a nice bit of color to the garden.

 

They also ensure their longevity by forming oodles of seed pods.

 

The milkweed is also producing seed pods,

which will be harvested so that we have fresh seed

for next season.

We are expecting the monarch caterpillars any day now.

 

The moonflower seeds have been gathered a few times a week,

and I will be happy to be able to share some of these beauties.

 

The lantana has done well planted in some

old lawnmower tires.

These heat resistant flowers just keep blooming,

all summer long.

 

The stormy weather on Tuesday caused our maple tree

to fall forward.

I think I spied a crack in the trunk, way up high.

This tree will most likely have to be felled,

even though it doesn't threaten anything but the drain field.

Although I'd be sad to see it come down,

it would be enough wood chips to cover the whole garden

and then some.

Two of the hoses I use near the garden and chicken coop 

burst at the same time.

We've been looking for replacements,

but haven't liked what we've found.

They just don't make them like they used to.

 One of these is connected to the irrigation,

so it will need to be replaced soon.

There's always a project on the homestead.

New goals with each new day.