What did you do in the garden today?

[jerryse]

Back from the vet . Took sample to test for Lyme disease . Gave some pain pills . So now we wait for lab results . I have been getting chigger bites when I mow . So I put out some lawn insecticide . I hate to use chemicals but this is too much . We never used to have chiggers this far north .

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

I'm all big n bad til I come in eye contact with the critters then like the snake I took off! So not sure what I'd do with armadillo, coon or groundhog. But they dug up another thing of potatoes yesterday ...dadgum turds!

I take it ALL back!
More covid symptoms but still testing negative on home test.
Get outside late to check on everything only to find it looks like BIG Foot himself has trampled all through the raised bed and dug up everything!
I had just got it all fertilized and covered with pine shavings and it looked beautiful! God gave it a good rain!
And now this!
I am so frustrated n at whatever this thing is!
I didn't have my phone with me or I would have taken pics.

 

[CaroleW]

I ate my first Paloma (white) eggplant, a shashito pepper and (probably) early jalapeños from the garden yesterday - awesome!

I'm almost done up-potting the overdue seed starts - I may have to take some of these to friends in Phoenix metro area to plant, I've got no room here for all of these. Still need to set out the cukes and pumpkins that I started a week or so ago - have to prep beds first.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Steamy morning here. We got about .35 inch of rain. Some thunder and lightning came with it but I was happy to hear the rain coming down. The temps aren’t too high but it’s really muggy. I weeded the okra and pepper bed this morning and picked a few more onions. I just finished processing the chard for the freezer. I’ll let it air dry a bit before I bag it up. Only greens left in the fridge are the last two heads of Romaine I pulled. It’s still in good shape so I will likely add some fresh chard from the garden to it
for a big salad to go with the grilled pizza tomorrow night. I have another bloom on the eggplant this morning and the pole beans should be blooming soon. The white superior potatoes should be ready within the next two weeks. I’m hoping they did well.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Morning, it is a beautiful morning here at 57* F. We are headed to hot and steamy for the upcoming weekend, and I have a broody-ugh.

Anyway garden, picked 1 (and the 1st) blueberry yesterday, cherry tomatoes have been steady, green beans are started to roll in, have a couple zucchini started, lots if acorn squash flowers, and and a few buttercup squash on the vines. Picked my first Lemon Boy tomato yesterday, never had this type before so we will see.

Stay cool if you can and get dirty today!

57F?! I'm so jealous right now, lol.
This is what a "cool" week looks like for us right now in the middle of summer. All that rain is the only thing keeping it down.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Lol emoji bc I’ve never grown sweet potatoes before! But, regular potatoes flower then start to die off and the message is clear they are done. Sweet potatoes aren’t that obvious from what I’ve read. They hate cold and I’ve read that sustained soil temps of 55F or lower is bad for them as fungus can take hold. They need a 7-10 day curing before using too. Regular potatoes you can dig and cook that day, but a sweet potato is fairly flavorless (I’ve read) straight from the ground. Plus curing helps them heal scrapes/nicks and develop a tougher skin so they store longer.

I grow sweet potatoes like weeds here every year. I legitimately have them popping up where I don't want them because the ground doesn't freeze and they never die, lol. With that said I eat them right out of the ground. You could let them sit for a day but it's really not necessary in my experience.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I have a question, I hope you don't mind. Do you harvest sweet potatoes the same way you harvest potatoes? This is my first year growing them and I've no idea when to pull them

Sweet potatoes put out flowers that look like little morning glory flowers and that's usually a sign that you can harvest. I personally never harvest earlier than August but if you live in a shorter season area just make sure to pull them out before it gets too cold so they don't start rotting in the ground. They never rot in the ground here unless they're close to the surface.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Here is our Google answer for clarification, lol. Honestly though, I don't notice any difference in flavor after curing. It just makes them last longer and that's it.

 

[esturtz27]

What'd ya do with armadillo?
I'm all big n bad til I come in eye contact with the critters then like the snake I took off! So not sure what I'd do with armadillo, coon or groundhog. But they dug up another thing of potatoes yesterday ...dadgum turds!


Let me know! I'm looking to venture out and try another few types myself! I was so iffy bout the chocolate cherry tomatoes but they are amazing! And first time growing Romas and they are just gorgeous and large...and finally seeing little red comin in!

Anyone else going to seed more now to further the harvest on longer? I'm really considering it!!!

The armadillo startled me a little at first but like all things small and kinda fuzzy I yelled "ahhh you get out of here!" And chased it. My husband still gets a good giggle out of it when he tells the story. He thought I was yelling at an intruder and came out quick! Hahaha! Yeah, the small intruders I just yell at and walk towards barring rattle snakes (we've had 2 in the yard) those we kill, not because we hate them but because of the danger they pose to our nosy bloodhound(clifford) and the little dude. I think the armadillo figured out not to be there but now bunnies are living in the burrow just my luck.

 

[esturtz27]

Sweet potatoes put out flowers that look like little morning glory flowers and that's usually a sign that you can harvest. I personally never harvest earlier than August but if you live in a shorter season area just make sure to pull them out before it gets too cold so they don't start rotting in the ground. They never rot in the ground here unless they're close to the surface.

Hmmm now I'm super curious...I have one that is blooming like it's a job and is a massive plant