And just like that, Summer is in full swing and I’ve been meaning to share what’s happening in the garden (please know that I have really really great intentions, and pretty terrible follow through)! The kids are almost back to school, the temperatures are hot, and the plants are a growin! Shortly after I wrote my last garden update, we demolished our kitchen and I just haven’t had any energy, but now I’m ready to get back to it!
We spent Mothers Day weekend planting – which resulted in an additional garden trough purchase to house the seven varieties of tomatoes, six pepper plants, and marigolds and zinnias for pest control and pollination, that I overbought. (As Urkel once said: “Did I do that?”)
What’s Growing Now
Blueberries – Our Jelly Bean plant produced about 20 berries this year and the Jubilee produced 3. I know this is one we have to be patient on, but fingers crossed I can make it that long!
The green onions were harvested, the garlic was scrapped (planted too late and I needed the space for tomatoes) and the Calendula bloomed like crazy!
My two lavender plants bloomed beautifully shortly after my last post, so they are not dead yet!
What’s New
TOMATOES: I had planned on four varieties this year, but I came home with seven, so we had to quickly make more space. I chose an Early Girl (second year), Beefsteak, Black Prince, and Caspian Pink for my slicer varieties; and Sungold (third year), Sweet 100, and Yellow Pear for my cherry varieties.
PEPPERS: I had planned on three varieties of peppers, but a few more jumped in the cart. We have two Jalapenos, a Habanero, a Thai Chili, a Serrano, and a Purple Beauty bell pepper.
FLOWERS: I always surround my tomatoes and peppers with Marigolds to help keep pests away and I like to grow Zinnia’s for cut flowers and Snap Dragons for the pollinators. This year I chose a different variety of Zinnia and unfortunately it doesn’t make a great cut flower (very short stem).
Challenges
Pulling the garlic out after all the time waiting was really frustrating – I need to start planning my Fall garden now, so that I can be sure to get plants in the ground on time.
We had to pull our Caspian Pink tomato plant. The leaves were spotted with brown and the flowers were drying up and falling off. After consulting with my local nursery (sunburn and deficient) and giving it a heavy dosage of fertilizer, the tomatoes were coming in rotten, so we decided to remove it before it caused problems with the Beefsteak plant in the same bed.
My beds have become the unfortunate breeding grounds for Black Widow spiders. We have terminated five or six of them now. Yes, I know they can be great for pest control, but my kiddos and I reach our hands into the beds often, and I just don’t need them fueling my arachnophobia.
My Purple Beauty bell pepper is actually not a bell pepper at all! We believe it is a Hungarian Wax Pepper that got mislabeled. While I’m bummed that I didn’t get to try growing bell peppers, I’m liking this slightly spicy new addition.
My annual herbs all died a slow death (basil, parsley, and cilantro) and so I’ve decided that if the herb is easily purchased from the Farmers Market or grocery store, that I’m going to skip growing them for now.
What We’re Eating
SALSA! One of the main reasons we grow tomatoes is for the wonderful and addicting snack of Chips and Salsa! It is our most favorite (right next to Tacos). I love making salsa and I love that it comes out a little different every time – it’s flexible and adaptable, so I’ll write out a “recipe” soon!
Soon we’ll be making roasted tomato sauce too. Yummmm!
Chores for Next Month
August tends to be a very hot and smoky month around here, so keeping the plants watered and fed becomes our daily concern. It’s also too hot to plant anything new, so we’ll be in full harvest mode instead.
What are you growing in your summer garden?
Let’s grow together!
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