What did you do in the garden today?

[oldhen2345]

So glad I got the weeding done yesterday. It looks like it could rain any minute now.

We were so dry in June, then we got so much rain. The bloodsuckers (mosquitos) are out in DROVES now.

I know what you mean- for the first time ever- when I open the nesting box, mosquitoes fly out- ugh- I just recently cleaned it out and changed out the pine chips- what is up with that??!! I also get them in the chicken waterer when I open it up to clean and refresh the water.

 

[oldhen2345]

Weed whacking in the back for me again today. I did get another basketfull of tomatoes- gave them to the yard man. The few peas I planted are blooming. Next year, I will dedicate one whole bed to beans or peas. Don’t know yet if I want to build a wire fence in the bed for them to grow on, or just plant bush beans- time will tell.

 

[vall]

Picked an 8.5 lb Orangeglo watermelon today. I don't get enough heat for giant ones, so this is big for me. Started a bunch of fall veggies, hopefully it isn't too early. Up potted three pineapples. Cleaned out the aviary, 44 quail chicks poop a lot.

Disappointed with my blush tomatoes two years in a row. It's a grape sized tomato that tastes wonderful but the plant grows terribly. If I even touch a tomato it falls off whether or not it's ripe. The stems are skinny, leaves are narrow, and they are prone to disease. Anyone have better luck than me?

 

[WthrLady]

I know what you mean- for the first time ever- when I open the nesting box, mosquitoes fly out- ugh- I just recently cleaned it out and changed out the pine chips- what is up with that??!! I also get them in the chicken waterer when I open it up to clean and refresh the water.

add some cider apple vinegar to the waterer and some DE, makes it unlivable to the skeeter larva

 

[WthrLady]

Came across free canning guides for your cupboard.
https://edustore.purdue.edu//newsearch.asp put canning in the search box
THere are canning, both pressure and water bath, and dehydrating guides.

 

[BReeder!]

Getting a handfull of okra, a couple large tomatoes, and cukes everyday the last several days. Had 3 acorn squash ripening but the vines died seemingly overnight for no reason that i can tell. I don't see any sign of disease or other pests. Thoughts?

I have noticed something is eating the leaves clean off my sweet potato vines. I have never had this happen before. The box was nearly covered with leaves as of 2 days ago...just started happening either Saturday or Sunday.View attachment 2759630View attachment 2759631

Not sure if others commented already, but this is likely rabbits or deer. Rabbits can get through the 2x4 wire, and it looks low enough for deer to reach over.

 

[BReeder!]

Quick update on the blended garlic oil I made & froze...waaay too hard to scoop out of the jar! Tastes good though. I might consider refrigerating it, scooping it in tablespoon fulls onto parchment & then freezing those.

Can you thaw it just enough to use a melon baller?

 

[NewBoots]

I didn't plant anything this year, so the garden has just been the usual perennials. Well, okay, I tossed some moldy nasturtium seeds out and one of them decided to sprout, but other than that, nothing was planted.
I did catch a cute little toad today, though. That's basically all that I did in the garden today. Hims was cute.
View attachment 2755306

That is a very placid toad. We have a small skink living in the backyard, his name is stumpy due to his first run-in with Nicky. DP and I have taken him away from Nicky and Trouble at least 4 times since then. They don't seem to hurt him (other than the unfortunate tail thing the first time) and we just put him back under a low 1/4 sheet of plywood we have as a critter safe spot.

Can you thaw it just enough to use a melon baller?

I'd like to know this too, I haven't started long term storage of my garlic yet.

I've started a pot of currants, wild huckleberries, and a few gooseberries to make jelly. If it won't set I'll use it for pancakes.

 

[MrLeeHo]

Pickings from the last 2 days, the carrots are supposed to be of the "baby" variety...they are extremely sweet. Also missing from the photo are 2 large ripe tomatoes (bc they are already in my belly ) The clusters of green tomatoes fell off the vine so I guess we will be having fried green tomatoes this weekend (shucks).

@BReeder! thanks for the input. I figured bunnies, deer usually steer clear of the backyard because of the dogs but I guess they could be sneaking in overnight. Just kind of interesting bc we have never had this issue before. But i also can't remember having a bunny family in the front yard in the past soooo... I will give some cayanne spray this weekend to the surviving leaves and see if it steers them away.

 

[BullChick]

You know how stuff grows overnight? Well, the Romas are budding, there are four mammoth pumpkins that we saw, and the potatoes are not ready yet, but I pulled out a huge one! I planted medium sized Russets from the store in feed bags.