What did you do in the garden today?

[Acre4Me]

65 is good for me. Or 25 & snowing, that's perfect!

My daughter would say the same, I think! She's in FL (gulf coast) and so ready to leave the heat and humidity.

it was 112 degrees & everyone was saying well it's dry heat so it's not bad...NOPE - 112 is smoking hot, humid or not!

LOL! 112F is hot no matter what! However, 112F in dry heat is WAAAAY more tolerable than a humid heat - can't even imagine 112F with humidity! I prefer a dry heat, no doubt. I think that the record setting year (as @igorsMistress mentioned) in AZ might get to me, though....a little too much of a good thing.

 

[Acre4Me]

Luffa Gourds - might get some!!! The one on left is looking great, and growing. The one on right is hopefully fertilized.

The Fig "Tree" - It is a "Chicago Hardy" type, meant for my climate and is in a protected full southern/full sun exposure spot. I'm underwhelmed by the the tiny figs. Might have to rip it out at end of season. I don't think these will grow and ripen by end of season. Anyone with experience?

The gourd view from inside the chicken run: I circled gourds. The blue one is a type that is small and striped. The red are the birdhouse gourds - quite a few.

The other birdhouse gourd plant - it is not as elongated as the one in above pic - it is more squat and a more typical shape for these gourds. Of course, only one from that plant!

We got the final dividing wall into the enclosure! The 3 week old chicks are doing fine. Roosting well and generally running around, being chicks!

The new bed with turnips (top 2 rows) and radish in bottom row. The heat is great - they are growing fast.

The second bed with spinach and peas is just beginning to sprout. The bed with cucumbers (already sprouted and growing) and peas is also growing well - the peas are just now beginning to poke up through the soil.


Rain today, but mostly concentrated in a couple hours this afternoon. barn cat wanted out, but we are keeping her in until rain passes.

 

[Sueby]

I am a New England girl for sure, I love my snow! We have tractors that make quick work of it so clean up isn't bad. The chickens don't much like it though & keeping the bird netting up in heavy snow is a full time job. @Acre4Me where was your daughter raised - was it always Ohio? A girl after my own heart.

@Wee Farmer Sarah I would imagine you'll be getting some of Laura tomorrow too, no? The rain has been nice.

We broke the record for days over 90 this year, I think we're at 39.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

The gourds look amazing @Acre4Me. I think my sad birdhouse gourd plant has succumbed to the squash beetles. Nothing larger than a peanut developed. I had a lot of figs on my little tree but I think they were a victim of the heat waves and uneven watering this summer. There are a few remaining figs that might make it. Although they are still on the smaller size.

 

[Sueby]

@Acre4Me my figs look about the same, not sure they are going to turn this year. My sister is getting some though. What do you do with it in the winter? Mine goes inside in an unheated room & goes dormant. I have heard that in some cold areas in Italy they actually fold the trees over & bury them in the winter - outside. @Wee Farmer Sarah has figs too...

I love the littles roosting!

 

[Acre4Me]

where was your daughter raised - was it always Ohio?

She was born in Oregon, but has lived in Ohio since toddlerhood. She was my kid I HAD to splurge on good quality snow pants and jackets and gloves. She could spend hours out in the snow. She played mostly with boys in the winter because of that - the boys would also play out side for much longer and actually PLAY in the snow. She specifically comes to visit in the fall to get nice cool temps.

I think my sad birdhouse gourd plant has succumbed to the squash beetles.

Squash beetles are terrible. We've had them on the gourds. The gourds on the side with the squat birdhouse gourd are getting bad white mold/fungus on them. Not sure if I should just rip them out or let whats there ripen/dry.

 

[Acre4Me]

What do you do with it in the winter?

We leave it in the ground there, because it is protected. It dies down to the ground, comes back in the spring. Thought we might get some figs, but doubtful. Might have to try again in a pot format (in barn for the winter).

 

[Sueby]

She was born in Oregon, but has lived in Ohio since toddlerhood. She was my kid I HAD to splurge on good quality snow pants and jackets and gloves. She could spend hours out in the snow. She played mostly with boys in the winter because of that - the boys would also play out side for much longer and actually PLAY in the snow. She specifically comes to visit in the fall to get nice cool temps.

Yep, that was me, building snow forts, sledding & ice skating all day long. I still hang out with mostly boys wheeling in the woods 40 years later!

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

We leave it in the ground there, because it is protected. It dies down to the ground, comes back in the spring. Thought we might get some figs, but doubtful. Might have to try again in a pot format (in barn for the winter).

I would give the pot a chance.

 

[Joken]

Gourds!
The birdhouse gourd is apparently tasty to the chickens! We found this yesterday - it was apparently too close to the fence. Looks pretty tender inside!
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Here is that side of the chicken run. The birdhouse gourd is taking over! But producing nice shade for the chickens.
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Great idea for next year!