The Garden is Growing

We have struggled with our new garden. We’re winning. But it has come with a strong fight – and the latest efforts have included a little bit of cheating. The heat and humidity that began pounding us over the past week has put a stop to my spending hours and hours of biting away at the weeds and grass. Expecting Dwayne to get out there and help with double manpower is ridiculous. We have other things on the list and time is flying. So – we cheated. (click on photos to see larger view) Dwayne went through the alleys between rows and scalped the monsters with the weed-eater. And the two of us covered the entire garden with about six bales of hay to choke and smother as much as we can. Our conservative hope is that it will minimize the re-growth. At the same time, all the vegetables are showing us that they seem to appreciate the help with the moisture retainer, as well. So – we’re winning that one - so far! All three squash mounds have gone nuts and taught me a fast lesson. First – the growing conditions in this region have a wild variance between areas. I’m amazed at how differently things grow here, compared to how they grew for me in Maryville – only 30 minutes driving distance! Next year – there will be more mounds and only two plants to a mound. That third plant has caused chaos. The Butternut squash has spread over the rows on each side and into the corn rows, as well. And we have well over two dozen squashes coming. They won’t be ready for harvesting until near fall. The zucchini squash has all but mushed every squash on its own with all the leaf growth that was beginning to choke all the air circulation and sunlight. Same scenario for our yellow hook-neck squash. I put up with all the stings from the hairy little pricks on the plants enough to get things overhauled and under control. And now they all know who’s boss and what the orders are! Believe it or not - all three mounds of squash - nine plants total. Yellow hook neck in front. Zucchini in the middle... And the Butternut is crawling over rows of carrots on both sides! I’m late on letting my tomatoes keep their blooms. Once again, we tried something different with staking the tomatoes. I also decided to have them grow more bush-like, versus climbing to heights over my head. But the blossoms are many and we already have tomatoes the size of golf balls! The corn has ears and the silk is coming in. Actually, we’ve been blessed – well, it looks that way, anyway. This variety has put out additional side stalks and a few have ears on them, as well. We could end up with corn plants bearing as much as five ears. Had to call Park Seed to ask about the situation and they told me that it’s been known to happen and help with pollination. I was asked to take photos during growth when I mentioned the ears and silk showing up on the side stalks. Pole beans are absolutely loaded. Can’t wait until they’re ready to harvest for dry beans! The bush beans are flowering and top-heavy. The verdict is still out on them. But there are no bad bugs!!! That’s a good sign! The weather here has been absolutely sultry. We’re in the mid 90’s with equal humidity. The thunderstorms have been in and out on a non-stop basis for the past several days. The grass can’t even dry out. It’s impossible to sit out on these huge porches of ours until late in the evenings. If I had a swimming pool right now – I would be living in that thing during the day – period. It’s so miserable that I really don’t even want to eat. Can’t get enough iced tea and water. But all I can really handle eating is the yogurt with fruit that I keep frozen in the freezer. Salads are good. But the tomatoes bought at WalMart suck. They have no flavor, whatsoever. Obviously – they forced the Grainger County farmers to deliver them green and way before they were ready. Kind of a half-hearted effort by WalMart to support the local farmers – I’d say, anyway. Another view of the squash mounds. Pole beans - these are an Italian variety called "Borlotto Solista". This year, they will be left until the leaves, vine and pods are completely dried before harvesting. We'll be putting these away as dry beans. Look at those pods! They are HUGE! They have a really pretty purplish random striping going on throughout the pod. These are the bush beans - "Derby" variety Our onions - "Texas Sweet" variety - aka "Vidalia" in some parts. Our Spring lettuces - "Summer Glory Blend" - I had just harvested this half of the bed yesterday evening. Cleaned and CRAMMED two WalMart bags with only two-thirds of what I harvested. Dwayne took those to work this morning - one for the girls at work and the other for Charlotte to stop by and pick up after work! Our potatoes - "Yukon Gold" variety Ya’ know – I really don’t care where you live – LOOK for your local farmer’s market. Just lock the date into your calendar and GO. You cannot beat the difference in the flavors of anything you buy from the local farmers. Everything is required to be grown organically. And everything has strong restrictions of window time for when the produce is picked before coming to market. You’re getting it fresh. More importantly – you are getting it after it has truly had time on the plant, vine or tree that nature requires. You’re getting more than your money’s worth!