More Germination and Sowing of Eggplant Seeds

Germination:

White Lisbon Onions
Tropiana Onions
Walla Walla Onions
Lobelia
Impatiens
Red Romaine Lettuce
Red Sails Lettuce

Sowing of Seeds

Eggplant, Shooting Stars
Eggplant Long Purple
Eggplant, Aswad
Eggplant, Ping Tung
Eggplant, Diamond

Sowing Seeds

Eggplant
Alyssum
Portulaca
Vinca
Black Eyed Susan
Echinacea
Petunia

Germination

Lettuce, Red Sails
Onion, Ailsa Craig

Germination

The following seeds germinated on March 18:

Onions, Sweet Spanish
Lettuce, Buttercrunch
Kale, Winterbor

Sowing a Few Seeds

Coleus

Germination:
Peas, Dwarf Gray Sugar

More Sowing

Parsley
Impatiens
Lobelia
Pansies
Lettuce
Potentilla
Kale, Winterbor
Peas, Dwarf Gray Sugar

Sowing Onion Seeds

Sowed in 4"x8" containers onion seeds, approximately 30-50 seeds per container:

Ailsa Craig
White Lisbon
Sweet Spanish Utah
Walla Walla
Tropeana Lunga

Preparing Seed Starting Mix From Scratch This Year

8:2:2 - Spaghum Peat Moss: Vermiculite: Perlite

STRATEGY - Double recipe in large bin, use hot water to mix and moisten, place into containers, lay seeds, top with moistened mix, don't cover, place in 70 degree room, watch moisture level carefully until seeds germinate. Once germination occurs, place containers under light and begin fertilizing once first true leaves appear. 

More economical, more control over materials, fun to get "hands dirty". 

Organizing Seeds

Organizing seeds into categories.  Pulling those seeds with earliest sowing dates, onions, pansies, lobelia, celery, parsley, etc.

Began Hoophouse Clean Up

Better organized hoophouse for spring use. Gathered materials for seed starting mix including containers, trays, peat moss, vermiculate and perlite. Place new shelving unit in rear.  Noted that spinach, kale and parsley have begun a second season of growth.

Getting Back on Track or At Least Trying

I am finally motivated to spend time again in the garden; it feels good to resume my gardening tasks. The primary goal today is to harvest crops and "weed and feed" (five days late).

Here is a list of today's activities:

1. Pulled up the foam mat on the deck to give the wooden deck a few weeks to "breathe."
2. The portulaca is still going strong.  This is a picture of the urn just before its morning bloom. 
3. I have almost given up on this morning glory container.  It wilts back significantly in the heat of the day, but after last night's heavy rain it appears reinvigorated.  Next year I should plant seeds into a three gallon container. 
4. It was time again to pinch off the flowers on the thai basil. 
5. The lemongrass plant is doing well even in the six inch pot. 
6. The fig tree is looking very tired; its leaves are yellowing and there has not been new growth in weeks.  I pinched off many of its yellowing leaves. Hoping the feeding today is just what it needed. 
7. The dahlia plant currently has fourteen buds; only two flowers have been produced all season.  Its leaves are looking yellow; again, hoping today's feeding will restore a deep green color. 
8. There are lots of flower heads on the large container of thai basil. I snipped back the plant and will dry the leaves. 
9. I was able to produce very healthy cilantro in this deck container.  I will cut it back today and use it fresh in a salsa with tacos for dinner tonight. 
10. I have about 70 scallions still available for harvest.  Will include one in the salsa tonight. The container itself has been more decorative than functional. 
11. I picked the young leaves from the basil, large Italian container, destined for pesto. 
12. The common oregano was very healthy; will be dried for winter use. 
13. The fennel on the deck is grown for the seed heads, not the bulb. 
14. The Greek oregano has a very interesting leaf structure.  The cuttings are also destined for the dehydrator for winter use. 
15. Topped off the sage for drying. 
16. The rosemary and thye have been growing vigorously. 
17. I needed to pinch off the rusted leaves from the lemon balm plant.  The remaining leaves will be dried to make tea this winter. 
18. I will have plenty of dried mint for cooking Mediterranean food this winter. 
19. I do not plan to use any of the lemongrass growing in the large deck container.  I am hoping to winter over it in the basement. 
20. The muncher cucumbers in the containers near the deck are producing cucumbers even though they have been plagued with insect damage at the base of the stems. 
21. The Tiny Tim  and Principe Borghese tomato plants keep on producing.
22. The White Bush Lebanese squash is forming fruit. 
23. Traditional Row Garden #1 - harvested squash, trimmed yellow leaves. 
24. Traditional Row Garden #2 - strong gusts of wind yesterday downed the tall stalks in the middle of the bed
25. Traditional Row Garden #3 - pulled the majority of Red Wethersfield onions. 
26. Traditional Row Garden  #4 - harvested all of the kale. 
27. Masai Green Beans have done well in the two containers outside the gazebo. 
28. Threw away the okra that was growing in the container outside the gazebo.  They developed a bad case of leaf rust.  The ones in the row garden are doing well. 
29. The two Spacemaker Bush cucumbers were misshapen.  They did not do well in a container. 
30. The Homemade Cucumber plants succumbed to disease.  They did not do well in a container. 
31. I really like the flavor of the Masai green beans.  It was still a race to the end if the plants would produce beans before being killed by disease. 
32. The peppers have officially begun producing; the red cherry is first in line. 
33. Kale has been unaffected by caterpillars this year in traditional row garden #4.
34. Harvested potatoes in two large containers near hoophouse. 
35. Harvested all tomatoes in four raised beds, containers and oval garden.

Seedlings Planted Out

I had zero germination of the edaname seeds planted a few weeks ago in the traditional row garden #3. After loosening the block of space, I planted out the green bean seedlings started in the hoophouse on July 12: Earliserve, Tenderette and Kentucky Wonder (left to right).

I still have peas, broccoli, brussel sprouts, swiss chard, lettuce and arugula seedlings ready to fill vacant garden spaces.

The container green beans should be ready for harvest in a few days. 

The seed potatoes planted in these containers on May 8th, nearly eleven weeks ago, are dying back. 

Red, Yellow and Green

Today's harvest came in colors of red, yellow and green -- Independence Day tomatoes, yellow squash and zucchini!

Throw Aways

Many of the squashes, cucumbers and morning glories have been suffering badly from wilt.  It could be attributed to the high temperatures and humidity of late, but I am now certain insects or fungus are having a field day. I have chosen to pull them out from their containers or garden beds and dispose of them at the dump.

Tomatoes for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Tomatoes are beginning to mature in full force. Lots of Independence Day and Sungold tomatoes are ready for the picking and a few Marglobe and Principe Borghese tomatoes as well.  I've increased my rating of Independence day from 6.5 to 8. The longer they matured on the vine the sweeter they became. Unfortunately, animals still have an interest in the nearly ripenened heirlooms.  The cage around the raised bed has helped, but I reluctantly accept the fact that produce will be shared with critters.

In addition to animal issues, a few tomatoes (particularly those in containers) have developed blossom end rot and others are badly misshapen due to erratic watering.  Fortunately, I overplant tomatoes and will have plenty for storage and daily use.

Caprese salads are the way to go since basil is available in the garden, too!!  Tomatoes, basil, mozzarella cheese, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and cracked pepper, all beautifully displayed on a plate.  I usually follow the "Pioneer Woman's" recipe found at http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/06/caprese-salad/.

New Watering Can

A new watering can has been added to my collection.  It's almost too nice for everyday use!

Life Cycle of Alyssum

The photo below shows the sweet alyssum plants in their full glory last week. Within a week, they decided to go to seed and finish their first cycle of the season. Rather than cutting them back and waiting for new growth, I will use the containers for another purpose (yet to be determined). The alyssum planted in the ground are still going strong and should last through the summer into the fall. 

Company's Coming

I am using most of this week to finish some of the major gardening chores that are necessary through the end of July. Family is coming on Thursday for ten days and the priority will be to enjoy meals, a wedding, a baby shower and other family gatherings.

Oppressive Humidity

The oppressive humidity between yesterday and today has created white, fluffy fungus around the fennel in the hoophouse raised bed and in various containers. I skimmed the fungus off the soil and will hold off any watering until it totally disappears.

There was a big gap in the flower garden at the base of the hill. I had trimmed back the oriental poppies back to ground level. Inbetween the poppies, I transplanted Queen Sofia Marigolds from various gardens to fill in that area. Marigolds are so hardy and can take a transplant most any time of the season. Ahh, much better!

Pesky Pests

To my chagrin, I picked off fairly large caterpillars from the Waltham broccoli and brussel sprout seedlings. They destroyed all but one of the broccoli seedlings and only six brussel sprouts seedlings remain. Apparently, the white moths found their way into the hoophouse. The only brassicas in the yard that have been spared caterpillar damage are the kale plants in traditional row garden #4 and the cabbage and broccoli plants in the bed near the electric meter.

Early Run to Lowe's

I hoped to finish the weed and feed today so an early run to Lowe's was in order. I am always their first customer at 6:00 am. My HH cared for my mother until my return.  Thanks, HH!  I bought more pelletized organic fertilizer and epsom salt to finish up the mid-month weed and feed. I should have enough "finished" compost by August 1st to feed with compost tea and compost as a top dressing through the end of the growing season.

Having this blog sure keeps me true to my gardening schedule!

Who Dun It??!!

Two big bites were taken out of two big Cherokee Purple tomatoes last night! Ouch!! Not sure if this will be a one time occurence or a repeat event. I have some screening in the shed that can be used to fortify the tomato raised beds, if need be.

Postscript #1 - Thinned the beets, spinach and turnips in the hoophouse.
Postscript #2 - I significantly cut back the lobelia in the gray urn.  The quality of the flowers declined over the past few days.

Mid-July Weed and Feed

One of this year's goals is to weed and feed the gardens every two weeks. The first feeding was on July 1st and today, July 15th, marks the second feeding of the month.  I finished about half the job and should, hopefully, finish the rest by the end of the week.

Photo Journal Update

I wanted to use the large planters in which the radishes were growing for green beans, so the remaining radishes were pulled a bit early.

We should have Blue Lake Bush Green Beans in a few months. 

The Tiny Tim tomatoes are plumping up; they are not as tiny as I thought they would be. Just the plant itself is demure!

My first attempt at growing carrots in containers is still looking good.  We will find out in a month or so if it was successful. 

I woke up this morning only to see holes in the arugula seedlings.  Usually I don't have any insects interested in arugula!  Never know!

Glad to see the Principe Borghese tomato plants fruiting.  Anxious to do a good job this year sun drying tomatoes for winter use. 

The cucumber beetles are munching less frequently on the cucumber plants. Thank goodness, I was writing off pickles this year. 

How much fun it is to have fresh herbs at my disposal for cooking!!

I am hoping the morning glories fill out soon. It looks rather thin right now!

Still no figs, most likely not this year.  The nasturium add good color to this corner. 

The lobelia is still one of my favorite flowers. 

The potted morning glory is working it's way up the baker's rack. 

The okra has finally taken a turn for the better.  Was almost writing off any okra this year since the okra in traditional row garden #3 is doing poorly. 

The cucumbers are climbing up the gazebo as directed. Supposedly, beans and cucumbers are complimentary crops. 

And here is her sister plant on the other south corner of the gazebo!

Traditional Row Garden #4 - kale, peppers, green beans and sweet potatoes. 

Traditional Row Garden #1 - green beans, zucchini, yellow and butternut squash. 

Guess what's for dinner!

Traditional Row Garden #2 - corn and butternut squash

Traditional Row Garden #3 - onions, tomatoes, green beans, okra, edaname, leeks, watermelon, cantelope, delicata and hubbard squash, cucumbers and Lebanese squash

Looking from another view - wish the squash in the front row would get their act together!

The dirt is filing in around the leeks.  Looking forward to potato and leek soup this fall. 

There are many gaps in the pole beans row; I am thankful for what was left behind by the slugs. 

More gaps is this bed of bush beans

The mystery tomatoes are doing great.  May know what a few of the varieties are in a week or two. 

Blocks two and three of the onions are doing very well. May have a good amount of onions after such a weak start.

The back yard gardens bring such joy, especially when I can make fresh baby food for my grandsons!

The coleus urns like their location in the yard. I keep pinching off the seed heads that keep appearing every three weeks or so. 

Not much wilting yet from the container potatoes.  Would love to see lots of good size potatoes in a month or so. 

Capped off the new beds with grass clippings.

The hoophouse takes on different configurations each week.  

The Green Arrow peas are enjoying their new home. 

Glad I chose to place extra onions in the hoophouse.  Covering my bets to harvest at least some onions this fall although the ones in the fields are doing much better than I though they would do.

The beets have germinated in the hoophouse.

The turnips, too, have germinated in the hoophouse.

No signs of stress with the climbing tomatoes in the hoophouse. 

The parsley up top in the photo keeps up with my demand for tabouli and bean salads. 

This is the third or fourth year of the raised beds in the hoophouse and the soil is absolutely terrific!

What is that growing beside the kale!!  Looks like cucumber seedlings!  Did I plant them?  I guess I did! I will move the kale to make room for potential cucumber plants. 

Better do something with the dill. Maybe herb bread. I'll have plenty of dill seeds for pickles!

The white hibiscus is much smaller in size this year.  It is much appreciated; it's far easier getting around the tomato plants. 

The oval tomato garden.  All determinant tomatoes; should only get one foot taller, if that. Let's see if I'll have to eat my words!

Lots of grapes this year. I've been pinching off the fungal diseased ones with some regularity. 

The tomato raised beds up on the hill. 

Yummy kiwi yellow raspberries. 

Picked the first handful of kiwi raspberries this week.  The squirrels and birds are leaving them alone for now.

Scarecrow is a fun feature in the garden. 

The upper garden raised beds - the vacant spaces need to be addressed soon before I run out of growing time. 

The horseradish plants, looking better but not great.  It's what lies below, however, that matters!

Livingston Pie pumpkin plants

So this is what a shallot looks like, or so I guess!  

The herb raised bed with onion sets growing behind it. 

This is what's left of the small crop of green beans.  Will convert this raised bed into storage carrots soon. 

The eggplants (rear) and peppers (front) are getting "greener", yes?

Need to get my act together and root the many strawberry runners.  

I plan to sow many more wave petunias next year and be sure to bring them up front in the garden bed. 

Will likely cut back the potentilla cinquefoil soon.

Next year I am going to sow far more dahlias.  They are candy to the eyes in the flower garden.

These two flowers, black eyed susans and shasta daisies, compliment each other, don't you think?

The Empress Nasturiums are very brilliant in color. 

The morning glories are sure taking their time climbing the lamppost. 

Pleased to see no gaps in the alpine strawberry border flanking the brick path. 

The alpine strawberries are quite large this year and especially sweet. 

The window boxes look a bit tired, but won't trim them back till the end of the month.

The asparagus are looking more fernlike every day. 

Lookoing forward to the Mammoth Sunflowers behind the cabbage and broccoli.

Still have half a dozen apples on the apple tree.