A couple of things have been slowing me in the garden this week.

The first was the insanely hot weather that killed some of the leafy crops (despite being watered every day). I think it reached either 100 or very close to it, and for some of the crops this was damaging.

The other nuisance are the squirrels. They run around our power lines and fence lines carrying nuts all day long. It’s not enough for them to eat these nuts, they actually come into my boxes and dig them up to store their nuts inside. This has damaged some of my soil and has bothered me greatly. I have since put in some fox urine packets on the fence posts. This did a bit in the way of dissuading them from getting in, but not completely. Today I bought ground-pepper-smelling natural pellets to put around the perimeters of the boxes (can’t sacrifice the quality of the food inside) and hope those will keep the bastards out. If this doesn’t work, I think the next step will be bb guns… I’ve had it and I’m really frustrated!

I also finally took the time to weed some of the dead leaves and stems to free up space in some of the messy boxes. Lots had wilted.

As for watering, we got a nice head for the hose that distributes water very gently (finally found a good one) and it not only makes water quicker now, but also easier as it can reach into places none of my other tools can.

Maybe it’s time to build some more boxes…

Box 1

Tomatoes

Box 2

Eggplants and bell peppers

Box 3

Green beans and beets

Box 4

Swiss chard, lettuce and mesculun

Box 5

Chives, basil, onions, cucumber, artichoke, bell peppers and cowpeas

Things are going fairly well in the garden. The cucumbers are stretching pretty high, about 5 feet, I think. The tomatoes are coming up nicely, and are requiring a cage to hold them up for support. Crops are growing at different rates but overall are showing promising signs. Even the indoor seeding of broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and brussels sprouts is coming along nicely.

I had the opportunity to serve guests lettuce, beets and swiss chard this weekend. My poor test subjects didn’t even see it coming. The beets were a hit, as the young, sweet oven roasted reds took on a great flavor, enhanced by freshness. The lettuce was received well by those who tried it, and the swiss chard was appreciated by some, despised by others. The chard can be a bit bitter admittedly, but I still enjoy it.

The compost is decomposing well and I hope to be able to use it soon. The leafy crops are ready to be consumed, and in their place I hope to lay down my compost and the four vegetables I’m indoor seeding at the moment.

I also got some deep pots that I have drilled at the bottom (for drainage) and plan to use for carrots, possibly potatoes, and the “Scarborough Fair” herbs.

With much back yard space and recent knowledge that Butternut Squash will likely grow well under current conditions, I’m going to try to plant that in hopes of some good soup around Thanksgiving time a few months away.

I’m quite excited at the possibilities and hoping for success with the current remaining crops.