Things are looking very promising in the garden, though I keep feeling like I’m behind, somehow. Perhaps it’s because my tomato plants sat in containers growing root-bound for a seemingly interminable amount of time, while we got things (somewhat) together for raised bed #2.
But, as soon as the tomatoes, and everything else, went into the ground, they perked right up and attempts at reproduction commenced. Right now I’m instituting my Reemay-covering plan for the summer squash, trying to keep those dreaded squash vine borers at bay so they can’t lay eggs on my beautiful plants.
The squash blossoms so far have been all male — I have to check as I’m the designated pollinator for these covered darlings.
And who knew carrots blossomed? I had no idea! And this is my third year growing carrots.
Meanwhile, the watermelon, supposedly a “baby” variety, is sprawling like crazy with happiness and freedom. They really put last year’s watermelon plants to shame.
The vines are straying just outside the bounds of their box and threaten to take over the whole garden area. Too bad I can’t eat the leaves like I did with the sweet potatoes last year.
I thought all the watermelon flowers were male, too, until I caught sight of this lovely lady and promptly did the pollination. How can I tell it’s female? See that baby fruit hanging out at the base of the flower? Hopefully it will be a sizable and tasty grown-up fruit in short order.
Meanwhile, the baby tomatoes are appearing, which is a darned good thing because it’s almost getting too hot around here for tomatoes to set fruit. All my tomatoes got completely mixed up, so I have no idea what’s what, variety-wise. It’ll be a surprise if/when something ripens!
Here’s what I ended up planting this year — all from seed — after recovering and re-stocking from disasters like the dog literally running away with some of my unopened seed packets.
- Basil: Aroma — really doing well, though bolting already! Sometimes flowers are unwelcome!
- Eggplant: Prosperosa — barely leafing out due to stunted growth in containers, but coming into their own, slowly.
- Tomatoes: Mortgage Lifter (large standard-type tomato), San Marzano (paste tomato), Bonita Ojo Organic (medium sized) and Sun Gold (cherry tomatoes).
- Summer Squash: Zucchini and Yellow Squash — the seed packets I ended up with helpfully identified these as “Zucchini” and “Straightneck” squash. Hm.
- Watermelon: Sugar Baby. I had bought Bush Sugar Baby but the dog ate my homework. Hence the sprawl.
- Potatoes: Russets sprouted from kitchen leftovers. I have no idea what’s happening, of course, as all of the action is under the ground.
- Swiss Chard: only one plant actually made it and I don’t even know what variety it is.
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