What did you do in the garden today?

[vall]

Speaking of (zucchini) squash, I was looking for female flowers this morning to fertilize and found a giant zucchini that I somehow missed. I'm thinking of allowing it to go to seed.... However, I purchased these plants as young starts from the local feed store. I believe they are Bonnie Plants, Black Beauty variety. Their website says these are heirloom. I shouldn't have any problem collecting seeds from these for next year, you think?

Are you diligent about not cross pollinating varieties when you hand pollinate? If so you are probably fine to save seed. Just have to hope the bees didn't cross for you. Heirloom is ideal. Some F1s are reasonably stable too.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Are you diligent about not cross pollinating varieties when you hand pollinate? If so you are probably fine to save seed. Just have to hope the bees didn't cross for you. Heirloom is ideal. Some F1s are reasonably stable too.

Yes, I don't have any other squash except cukes which are on the other side of the garden. Plus my zucchini are inside my hoop house which is netted so pollinators can't reach them.

 

[TJAnonymous]

My Welsh Harlequin babies arrived today! I've got 3 females and 1 male. I haven't hand raised ducklings in a few years so I'm trying to remember everything... Thank Heavens for BYC!

 

[pennyJo1960]

I get to go to the Dr today .. not gardening till late afternoon but 86 today.

 

[Iluveggers]

I tried to string up my tomatoes today, but after picking the 5-6 that were just starting to turn, I had to come back inside. I am not used to the mid-90s weather! I hope the girls are ok in the coop tonight. It’s their first night in there and of course low tonight is 77. I have a temp gauge in there though and temp inside is the same as outside so I know it won’t be any hotter than it is outside.

 

[WthrLady]

They'll be fine.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

It’s a stifling 93F right now. Just gave the girls some ice water to cool off a bit. Good news is the tomatillo plants have no sign if leaf curl in this heat. I remembered to snap a photo of my hydrangea that is finally blooming. First time since I bought this place.

I’m so happy. I hope I’ll get a few more blooms. My BES are starting to bloom. Hopefully they can survive this heat. DD went to check on her garden around lunch time and discovered her SM tomatoes are suffering from blossom end rot / BER. There’s no Stop Rot available around here for at least a week so I’m hoping a solution of oyster shell and calcium carbonate tablet’s steeped in water for a day or so then sprayed on the leaves can help. I’m sitting with the chickens right now and fortunately there’s an occasional light breeze. At least they are still laying in this heat.

 

[TJAnonymous]

According to the heat index, it feels like 108 degrees outside. Breeze is blowing but it's hot... So welcome to today's convection oven experience!

And to explain even more succinctly what a cruel *itch Mother Nature can be, it's been cloudy up until lunch time. I looked at the pond and saw sprinkles hitting the water but couldn't feel any rain when standing in the driveway. Looked at the radar and realized any tiny trace of rain we MIGHT have received was going to be unlikely because the teeny tiny cloud cell was splitting so we'd fall right into the void. Yep, once again (for the 3rd or 4th time....) everywhere around me got rain BUT me.

 

[Acre4Me]

Hot and humid out there.
Not entirely sure I agree with the “feels like 120F” but it’s pretty hot and oppressive. This is the reading at 530 pm.

I just gave all pens water with ice. I also give my layers wet feed with ice in later afternoon.


Slightly bummed that two melon types -I think both are honeydew types - are showing signs of wilt. They have melons developing too. <sigh>

 

[WthrLady]

Easier to breathe the warm air outside, but it's so full of pollen and smoke, my allergies take over and I can't breathe again.
Mowed the lower pasture.
Refilled the alpaca water and walked the garden. I still can't find the darn THW. I think they've gone deep due to the heat of the day.
Me and the UV light after dark.