My neighbor calls it “the garden on steroids”. That was such a huge compliment coming
from a seasoned mid-west farm girl.
I don’t know why the squashes have taken over the garden
more this year than in previous years. Maybe it was our early warm spell. But
anything that is squash, pumpkin or cucumber related has become enormous. I’m
thinking world records here. Some of the leaves are over 15 inches!!!
I picked a wheelbarrow full today including a 9 ½ pound, 24
inch yellow zucchini. That has been washed, quartered, sliced and taking up
temporary residency on all 8 trays of the dehydrator this evening.
Our days are not as hot and humid as the past few weeks. It
makes spending time in the garden much easier on the old soul here. I was
feeling guilty about only spending a half hour a day there.
I picked lots of peppers and started more lettuce today. The
lettuce will go in an area that will get covered/hooped in late September to
avoid potential early frosts. Our frost days are usually the first or second
week of October. Another sowing of peas is in order too. They can take the
cooler weather.
I have lots of flowers on the tomatoes. But the percentage
that set fruit this year is disappointing. Maybe I didn’t prune the plants
enough? I’m not sure. But I’ll be checking with the county extension office to
see if others are experiencing these same things.
