What did you do in the garden today?

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Good morning gardeners. Got a lot of rain yesterday from Barry remnants. It was so humid though, I had to sleep with the air conditioner on just to deal with the humidity. Right now it is 69F, overcast with a nice breeze. Tomorrow the heat wave begins, yuck. I'm hoping to get the backyard mowed this afternoon before the heat comes in. I picked my first zucchini today along with 2 more respectably sized yellow squash. They are still a bit on the small size but that plant is loaded with little squash. I picked 1/2 pound of peas and the rest of the lettuce. My first cucumber should be ready tomorrow or the next day. Can't wait. The tomatoes and pole beans are doing well as are the leeks and carrots. I'm so not looking forward to this heat wave. I'm hoping it turns out the last one they predicted and was much cooler. Tomorrow they're calling for 90F and Saturday 98F and with humidity. Sunday is supposed to be around 90F as well but with the chance of a thunderstorm to cool things down. Real quick, something I picked up on while reading about problems with your crops. Do you rotate your crops? Planting the same thing in the same spot year after year is not good and creates "health issues" for your vegetable crops. It took forever for me to get the hang of this, but with the help of the Old Farmer's Almanac I figured out how to do this and keep track of it. It makes a big difference in the health of your soil and plants. Just a thought. Big day at the Senior Center, Lobster Roll picnic. Yum! Have a great day everyone and stay cool.

 

[Acre4Me]

Heat wave begins today! Advisory today through Saturday. Our chickens go to fair on Saturday, only 4-H exhibits chickens, no open classes. Due to the heat wave they are allowing animal arrivals as early as 5 am. The regular poultry arena is nicely shaded and ventilated, but our BJG will be in another arena due to their size -hoping for a fully shady spot, but if not, I have some shade cloth and grommets that I can use to create shade for any sunny periods.

I’ll be submitting 1 yellow squash ...if I have one to submit. Crossing fingers. Also submitting a few food items, so hoping for some blue ribbons.

So far, the tomato-less tomato is hanging onto a few buds...hoping for success, but with this heat wave who knows what they will look like by Monday.

@Wee Farmer Sarah, crop rotation is important, it is true! In our case, I think the previous owners planted all beds with tomatoes, so I don’t think I can get away from that. But, we do plan to create a few new raised beds before next spring in a sunny spot, so maybe all tomatoes will go there.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Heat wave begins today! Advisory today through Saturday. Our chickens go to fair on Saturday, only 4-H exhibits chickens, no open classes. Due to the heat wave they are allowing animal arrivals as early as 5 am. The regular poultry arena is nicely shaded and ventilated, but our BJG will be in another arena due to their size -hoping for a fully shady spot, but if not, I have some shade cloth and grommets that I can use to create shade for any sunny periods.

I’ll be submitting 1 yellow squash ...if I have one to submit. Crossing fingers. Also submitting a few food items, so hoping for some blue ribbons.

So far, the tomato-less tomato is hanging onto a few buds...hoping for success, but with this heat wave who knows what they will look like by Monday.

@Wee Farmer Sarah, crop rotation is important, it is true! In our case, I think the previous owners planted all beds with tomatoes, so I don’t think I can get away from that. But, we do plan to create a few new raised beds before next spring in a sunny spot, so maybe all tomatoes will go there.

Sounds like a good plan. I had never done it for years but started with this new property. It's even more challenging when you do companion planting like I do. Then you have all these other variables to plan the rotation. I can't verbalize it yet but I put it on a spread sheet and work through it that way. It's still so confusing, but very good for the soil. Good luck with the tomatoes and at the Fair. Take pictures.

 

[MissChick@dee]

Good Morning Gardeners
My tomatoes first blossoms and the plants are a whopping 2’ tall. And it’s almost August!
Cantaloupe have blossoms everywhere! And to my amazement the chickens still have not bothered them.
Today the dogs get nail trims and the chickens get baths. It should be tons of fun for all.
I’m still trying to figure out what kind of mites or critter I’m dealing with. Not red mites No lice. I’ve sprayed the coop twice and the chickens once. It’s easier to see on my darker-legged chickens that have some raised scales on their feet & legs which they are actively preening. Could legs mites be the cause of their shabby feathers too?
I’m just wondering how they will do with Vaseline on their legs in this heat. Anyone have have suggestions?

 

[Sueby]

My gardens are new this year but the plan is to double them by next spring & to rotate everything.

I have a squash ready to pick for dinner tonight. I got 3 cukes yesterday which is good because there are so many flowers & so little fruit I was surprised to find them.

Does lettuce turn bitter when it bolts? I've never had enough that it ever had the chance before!

 

[trumpeting_angel]

Does lettuce turn bitter when it bolts? I've never had enough that it ever had the chance before!

Oh yes! Keep picking to see if you can keep it from bolting.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Morning all sitting here with my coffee no rain yet still wet soggy yard hard to mow but they say we will have 70's starting Saturday

 

[cavemanrich]

I’ll be submitting 1 yellow squash ...if I have one to submit. Crossing fingers. Also submitting a few food items, so hoping for some blue ribbons.

Don't forget to post some pix,,,,,,,,,,,,, ribbons, or no ribbons,, You will have ALL of us here to CHEER you on.

I’m just wondering how they will do with Vaseline on their legs in this heat. Anyone have have suggestions?

When I treated for leg mites, I used Crisco vegetable spread. Margarine, would work also. Not sure how butter would work, maybe it has a lower melt away point.. I preferred something eatable VS Vaseline. I have read that Vaseline is OK for chickens if they eat it,,,,,,,,, but I'm OLE SKOOL. I don't eat petroleum.

there are so many flowers & so little fruit I was surprised to find them.

I don't have the exact numbers, but as a general guide, male flowers outnumber female flowers on cucumber vines, something like 10 to 1.
Only the female flowers, when pollinated, produce a cucumber. The male flowers eventually drop off.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I do use vegetable oil except doughnuts but allot less now mostly Olive or Canola.. Peanut oil sparingly

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

My gardens are new this year but the plan is to double them by next spring & to rotate everything.

I have a squash ready to pick for dinner tonight. I got 3 cukes yesterday which is good because there are so many flowers & so little fruit I was surprised to find them.

Does lettuce turn bitter when it bolts? I've never had enough that it ever had the chance before!

Depending on the type. I’ve noticed that my romaine has a bit stronger flavor more like grocery store lettuce when picked at or near bolting. I just adjust the dressing to “complement “ the stronger flavor. I just picked my last 2 heads this morning and it tastes OK.