According to the calender, it’s September. But you wouldn’t know it by walking outside where I live! We are still experiencing sweltering heat and humidity with temperatures in the mid-90s and humidity levels to match. There is something incongruous with planting fall crops in this kind of weather, for sure. But I press on! This past weekend, I replanted my three varieties of leaf lettuce, kale, and brussel sprouts because they didn’t germinate. (Too hot??) I also planted head lettuce (Tom Thumb and Buttercrunch), beets (Detroit Red and Early Wonder), and carrots (Imperator and Scarlet Nantes). Turnips and radishes are next – if I can just survive the heat! At least my plants are hanging in there!
HARVESTS:
I harvested my first figs this past week, so I tasted my first fresh fig ever. It was heavenly sweet. For pictures, see My Quest for a Ripe Fig.
Here are this past week’s harvest baskets ~ almost all peppers, but a few tomatoes!
Harvest ~ August 27
Harvest ~ August 30
Harvest ~ September 1
THE NEW:
The picture at the head of this post is a Cream of Saskatchewan watermelon flower. I have three fruit growing with more flowers coming. I’ve yet to harvest one of these white watermelon.
Five months after transplanting the seedling, I FINALLY have an eggplant growing. And there are more flowers opening, too. Hopefully, I’ll get several of these to eat before the frost. I’ve yet to eat an eggplant this summer, and I’ve never tried this kind. I’m glad I didn’t give up on this baby.
Listada de Gandia eggplant
My tomato plants look pretty rough. They’re still fighting the Septoria Leaf Spot, and they are very viney now. I trimmed so many branches off the bottom of the plants, I have to let the tops grow unpruned if I want any chance of a second harvest of tomatoes. I’m happy to say, that even though the plants don’t look pretty, I AM getting new flowers and fruit.
Roma tomatoes in September
My cilantro seedlings are up. (Yes, it’s really cilantro this time.)
Cilantro seedlings ~ 7 days post planting
GROWING:
My winter squash and pumpkins are thriving, though I do have to water them daily in this heat. The spaghetti squash (front left) even have tendrils growing already.
Winter squash ~ 20 days post planting
Here’s a close up picture of the Black Futsu squash I planted. The leaves are beautiful.
Black futsu squash ~ 20 days post planting
My beans are growing well, too.
Lima beans & snap beans
The lima beans have already sprouted their viney tendrils. Flowers are soon to come!
Henderson lima beans ~ 20 days post planting
The cucumbers are growing quickly, too. A couple of them even have tendrils reaching for the trellis.
Boston pickling cucumber ~ 21 days post planting
SOIL:
I’ve been turning over my fallow beds, readying them for planting. I’m loving my soil!
Raised bed ready for planting
Speaking of ready for planting, I’d best get outside and get some more seed in the ground. It looks like we MIGHT get some much-needed rain this afternoon.
What are you planting this week?
Sanctuary Gardener 