July Garden Update

So, we are into August now. I’ve taken quite a few pictures over the last few weeks, but haven’t been able to find the time to post an update. Until today.

It is difficult to find words that describe the differences in the garden from last year to this. It is a completely different experience on most levels. Most of the plants are staying green and healthy, and continue to grow at an amazing rate. I think that all of the reading that I have done at Gardenweb has given me a lot more confidence.

Reading about the issues that come up for other people, and the suggestions given to rectify those issues,  has taken away the anxious feeling about the things that might, and do, happen. I also realize now that I shouldn’t expect picture perfect plants. Some things will do better than others and it’s not a big deal.

We had a touch of Early Blight on the tomato plants, but pruning a few additional low hanging branches (I had pruned up to the first fruit truss on most plants as a precaution) and spraying with Daconil seems to have nipped it in the bud. I also mulched the plants with the decorative grass that I had cut down and dried. I wanted the soil to be good and warm throughout before I mulched, and it was likely warm enough.

We are finally harvesting our warm weather crops. We’ve been eating Tomatoes, Bell and Jalapeno Peppers, Eggplant, Zucchini, and Carrots. We also pulled all the garlic yesterday and hung it up in the garage to cure. The Brussels Sprouts are still going. They’ve started loosing some bottom leaves, and there are sprouts forming, but those at the top of the plant are pretty loose. I hope that the weather is not too warm for them. I’d read that they can sometimes open in warm weather giving a less than optimal harvest.

We cut down and dug up the decorative grass that grew next to the raised beds along the house. It was harboring Cabbage Moths and hung out over the path, so it had to go. We tilled the area to about one foot deep, and boxed in a portion of it. I’m not sure what all we will plant in this area. We are considering doing herbs here, maybe some Borage and Oregano at the far end as it doesn’t get full sun. Though it may just end up with some decorative plants to attract pollinators.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010 at 6:43 am and is filed under Gardening. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.