Beginning of August Garden update

Things are reaching the point where they usually fall apart for me (because of the normal August heat wave), but everything is looking very good so far.

I’ve certainly learned some lessons from the Three sisters planting. The corn has been a little lack luster and I suspect that it’s because the squash covered the corn and prevented pollination. This is also the fourth year I’ve grown corn in this plot, so it might just be time to do something else.

I’ve learned some lessons too for next year, because I have really enjoyed growing squash. Next year I plan to plant corn first in solid rows a foot apart and four deep across the plot. Then I will plant beans in bottomless yogurt cups across the back fence because a big problem has been the rampant growth of morning glories, which when young look a lot like bean sprouts. If I know the bean sprouts are in the circle of the cups I know everything outside of that needs to be weeded. (And the cups can be removed when the beans are big and strong enough.) Then at least 2 weeks after everything else I’ll plant maybe three squash plants.

I used web research to plan this year’s three sister planting and the squash, while fun, is just too much. I need less of it.

Pictures:

It is awfully pretty when you look out and see this mound of large yellow flowers, though.

Also a note, I used NO pesticide this year because I don’t want to kill off bees and ladybugs and lacewings and other beneficial insects, and I have not lost a single fruit to insects, even if some of the leaves have showed damage.

I have healthy insect activity, including lots of bees. And while my son is moderately allergic there have been no cases of any of us being stung. (Jeez, I’m asking for trouble by saying that aren’t I?) The bees in the yard are way too busy to bug us people.

On the other side of the yard the broccoli is almost done. Out of six plants I’ve gotten a half gallon bag of broccoli (after cooking and freezing). There is still more, especially with side shoots (see below) still turning up.

A second wave has been started and since it’s a cold tolerant plant I expect to get another wave of broccoli in late September/October.

The cucumbers, of course, love the heat.

The tomatoes are finally ripening. No clue why I haven’t been getting any ripe ones until August, considering the past two year it’s been early July when I started pulling them off the vine.

The morning glories might be a headache, but they are lovely too.