I saw this gorgeous bug flying around in the garden and I was fortunate enough that it sat patiently while I took some pix. Enlarge and look at the pattern in the wings. I wonder if it's some kind of dragonfly?
Much earlier in the season, I planted broccoli, brussel sprouts and cabbage. None have done well. Out of the 9 broccoli plants, I was able to harvest 4 heads before they bolted. It was very good. Wish it had done better. The cabbage was showing no signs of forming a head and was wilting in the heat (80) so this morning I pulled it out. The brussel sprouts were tall, green plants but no sign of sprouts. So it's also gone. I'm not sure why the brassicas are not producing for me but I saw a friend this past Saturday and she said couldn't grow broccoli and cabbage either. If I decide to try again next year, and I don't give up on anything very easily, I will plant earlier. I always risk the chance of late freeze and snow, but I think brassicas can stand some cold. One side of my compost box is almost empty so all the plants I pulled will go in there and will be a good green start to that pile. Nothing wasted. Will be doing some reading on brassicas before next season.
Much earlier in the season, I planted broccoli, brussel sprouts and cabbage. None have done well. Out of the 9 broccoli plants, I was able to harvest 4 heads before they bolted. It was very good. Wish it had done better. The cabbage was showing no signs of forming a head and was wilting in the heat (80) so this morning I pulled it out. The brussel sprouts were tall, green plants but no sign of sprouts. So it's also gone. I'm not sure why the brassicas are not producing for me but I saw a friend this past Saturday and she said couldn't grow broccoli and cabbage either. If I decide to try again next year, and I don't give up on anything very easily, I will plant earlier. I always risk the chance of late freeze and snow, but I think brassicas can stand some cold. One side of my compost box is almost empty so all the plants I pulled will go in there and will be a good green start to that pile. Nothing wasted. Will be doing some reading on brassicas before next season.I spent the morning putting out compost and fertilizer in the garden. The green beans got a dose of fish emulsion. Peppers and eggplant also got fish emulsion along with some compost in which I mixed triple superphosphate. I have a couple of pretty bell peppers and I want to keep them healthy. Some of the tomatoes got just fish emulsion. Others got f/e plus the compost mix. Also added the same to the cucumbers and squash. This is the first really good fertilizing I've done since planting. Some years I have used lots of Black Kow manure on the garden but this year I'm experimenting with just using compost that I make and the basic fertilizers I have mentioned. Trying to save money.
7 comments:
Your garden is beautiful! I was sad that I had none this year, but I am over it as it has been in the high 90's the past two weeks. Some years it just doesn't work.
I could not get the broccoli to produce either. As you can see on my post, I did get a wonderful harvest of red potatoes! I am grateful for that.
Beautiful photo's. I also like the idea of making your own mulch. I have a spot in the back of the property that I pile old leaves and add food refuse. I turn the pile every now and then with my tractor. I have not used any yet on the garden but maybe I will have enough for next year.
The gardens in this area got a much needed rain yesterday, which perked things up a bit.
Early this morning I took a short stroll through my little bit of rich earth and saw many honey bees drinking greedily from the bright yellow squash blossoms. I gave them plenty of room to move about where ever and whenever they pleased. I have great respect for the work they do for me, totally without charge of course, so I quitely exited the garden and left them to it.
I always read each of your posts with interest (usually more than once) and celebrate with you your successes and share your disappointments as well. Just have'nt felt up to commenting for a time. I guess this is catch-up time.
Here's a little something to applaud - Son number one came by yesterday pretty frustrated because the garden center in his small town no longer stocks fish emulsion. Well I just happened to have a new quart bottle to give him. What's a mother for?
Happy Harvest... to my favorite Bee Charmer.
I know - what's up with fish emulsion? I've had a hard time finding it this year, too. Guess I'll have to start fishing. Some of my friends who have a fantastic garden actually do use fish heads. For me that would be waaay too smelly and a signal to the bears saying "Come on down for dinner." Can't risk that.
Time hides away memories but they are still close by waiting to come out and play. They just need a reason to do so. Your reference to fish heads did the trick. Husband number one (and only one) always fished a lot and caught many. We had plenty to eat and some to share. The problem was to get rid of the waste after cleaning them. Well, no problem for him. He just dug a hole in the flower beds and buried everything we couldn't cook and eat. I thought he was quite clever but had no idea that he was doing anything beyond getting rid of a smelly problem. Looking back now, I believe he learned the practice from his mother who was an avid gardener and won many blue ribbons for her flowers and vegetables at the County Fair and local Garden Club shows. I wish I had known her. Her generation had skills that may, in time, be lost forever. All the more reason to keep bees and honor our soil.
Hello, Linda! Thanks for dropping by the blog and leaving your comment! Just getting started in beekeeping, I'm learning a lot, and having fun along the way. I added new pics of my inspection today so check it out. Oh, and I absolutely love the mountains (and the coast too). As you well know, living in the Triad affords me to be close so I can go either way. Do you miss Kernersville? Honestly, like Reidsville, not much changes, lol. Stay in touch!
Lynn: I feel like a dolt calling you Linda in my last message. Forgive me? No excuses, but it was a loong day. But I did like you suggested and added a "followers" tab to the blog. I see you found it too. Thanks for the suggestion and help because I am still so new to it. Like beekeeping, I need all the help I can get with my blogs too, lol. Thank you!
Post a Comment