end-of-June garden

 

    It's been unusually rainy this year, which has helped the water budget.  I'm not sure if the zucchini is getting enough sun with all the cloudy days, so far we just have some little fruits.  The squirrels are a problem, I'm pretty sure they stole the first zucchini!  I had three good plants and one pot, so I put the other two in random spots against the house, just to see...  would they be worth filling in some dead space?  They are keeping up fairly well with the pot in the sun.  

    All the major growing effort has been focused on the pots, but we do have some giant hollyhocks and a forest of dill!  Maybe we'll do some serious pickling this year, if we get some good cucs at the farmer's market.  Also some volunteer lettuce, which have been great for salads and lettuce wraps.  

    I feel pretty good about how the tomatoes are doing.  So far, I seem to have strong, healthy plants, flowering.  I watched this video and this video, and learned a bunch.  I started a handful of seeds in a few small growing cups (?), separated after a few weeks as she recommended.  That worked REALLY well, I will definitely be doing that again.  Planted deep as she suggested, used eggs - we'll see about that, and been pinching back the suckers.  I started two kinds - San Marzano (romas) and Money Maker, and traded one of each with my neighbor who had started a cherry, I think, and a Beefsteak.  Plant trading friends are a bonus!  I'm also trying to leave them with some dry days, as my father-in-law always told me I watered too much.  As you can see, we have some fruit!  I look forward to some good sauce.   

    The perennials are always a nice way to mark time - lavender, roses, lemon thyme.  The lettuce is about to bolt.  I think I'll start some more in a month or so to have for September harvest.  I don't want to look too far ahead because we still have some summer to enjoy!  

    I hope you all had a wonderful Independence Day!  I'm so thankful for our country; it's not perfect, but unlike many things in this world, our founders left the door open for improvements as we find them.  Happy summer!  I hope the bees are buzzing in your garden!!