Winter Update

I planted radishes over i think 6 week intervals this fall, either weekly or bi-weekly. Still have some in the ground. I went out on a limb by starting things so early - seemed to work out. the broccoli was not in the stores until October, so the first harvest was about 2 weeks ago. What I have ready that otherwise would have waited till spring is the cabbage and carrots. Will probably pull the first head of cabbage for slaw this weekend. The lettuces, arugula, and spinach have all been at the ready for 2 months now. About 3 weeks ago it got down to about 17-18 and that hit the lettuces but not fatally. I did not cover them.

Back in November I pruned the berries, stuck some of the cuttings in the ground and gave the rest to a colleague.

Currently overloaded with arugula and cilantro for those who may want some.

This picture was from 2 weeks ago. The spinach was blanched w/ garlic.

Planting results

Seems most everything germinated over the last week. The heat concerned me but I kept it damp daily, and apparently not too hot s soil temp.

I did it

Tilled up the garden - watering did the trick. Bought lettuce and cabbage transplants and stuck them in the ground. Planted garli cloves. Also planted from seed carrots, arugula, cilantro, more lettuce, spinach. We'll see what comes. Was afraid maybe te heat would be too much, but thinking the germination will be after the midweek heat, so i'm taking a shot nonetheless. I will water twice daily.

End of the heat.....??????

OK. I've been asked to update now that everything is dead and brown. I pulled the remnants of what was still alive over the weekend, and broke out the tiller. The small sectionn by the house was tilled, and I went to attack the larger section. It was very hard, and would have been quite an effort to get it tilled. Plan B is to soak it well 2 days from now and give it a whirl this weekend.

In the section that did get tilled, I did plant some radishes from seed. Those are easy.

Next - the cabbages, broccoli, and lettuces from starter plants. Garlic from whole cloves. Maybe this weekend.

From seed will go more lettuces, arugula, spinach. Maybe do some this weekend and hold off the rest for a week or two.

Stay tuned.

Early Summer Update

All planting done - melons starting to show some life finally - not sure what the deal is. Spinach is done. Winter lettuce is done - Heatwave blend still doing well. Pulled the spring carrot crop last weekend - another 20 pounds. radishes done (too hot). Onions and garlic - tops falling over - almost ready to harvest. Blueberries about done. Boysenberries did not ripen w/ the blackberries this year, and they are done - will be giving cuttings to a co-worker who has a daughter w/ cystic fibrosis - the berries are good for her health. Blackberries just starting - yum!!!! Have harvested lots of cherry tomatoes and a couple of larger fruits. Peppers starting to fruit well. Cucumbers finally starting to fruit. Green beans have been regularly harvested the last couple of weeks. Herbs are plentiful. Yellow squash and zucchini - overgrown and exploding in number. Broccoli is done. Spring cabbages almost ready for harvest. Strawberries are in second bloom.

Right now I focus on regular harvesting, weeding as needed, watered yesterday for the first time in a while. For bug control I spray insecticidal soap on the squash/melons every 14 days and alternate same with neem oil every 14 days. Both are organic, and I dont spray the leaf veggies or berries with them.

It got quickly hot and dry. Focus is on watering sparingly but as needed, weed control (by hand), and insect control.

Squash love this weather, as does the melons. The blackberries ripen quickly (I have to go out almost every day. Tomato fruit set will not happen any more with the heat. The green beans will not set any more either, but will double in size over night. Same with the zucchini. Crazy fast!!!

2011 Firsts

Picked the first tomato, first blueberries, first boysenberries. Sorry, no pictures - no evidence left.

On a side note - looks like the hail last week knocked the blackberries pretty good as they were in full bloom. Im thinking the prolific harvest of last year is a thing of the past - at least for another year......

Carrots

Planted by seed last September.