Sanctuary Gardener Update ~ 10/14/13

I am loving this cooler, autumn weather! The temperatures are in the upper 70s, lower 80s with much lower humidity. It’s actually nice to be in the garden. I finally planted my cover crop (red clover), five types of radishes, watercress (in a pot), and some more golden globe turnips. I planted a few more kale seeds, too. I also trimmed my cucumber vines in an attempt to help them survive against the onslaught of pickle worms. I’m not sure if we’re past the worst of it, but I’m hoping. My mums are in bloom (see picture above) and there are good things happening in my garden.

HARVESTS:

The figs are ripening quickly now. Fig preserves are just around the corner!

Celeste fig harvest ~ October 11

Celeste fig harvest ~ October 13

My Black Valentine green beans are coming in now. (One of the joys of living in the South – fresh green beans in October!)

Black Valentine green bean harvest ~ October 11

Here are some more green beans, along with kale, lettuce, and arugula.

Kale, green beans, lettuce, & arugula ~ October 13

And the peppers are still coming! Looks like pepper jelly time again.

Pepper harvest ~ October 11

GROWING:

I tested a lima bean pod today. The beans are growing, but not ripe yet. Soon I should have my first harvest of these tender beauties!

Henderson lima bean pods

The plants are loaded with flowers as well as pods. C’mon, lima beans!

Henderson lima beans

The few kale plants that germinated are now large enough to start harvesting.

Scotch curly kale

My tomato “weed” is covered with flowers and tiny tomatoes! It’s definitely a paste tomato.

Tomato plant ~ germinated as a weed

Remember that red watermelon? It’s still growing!

Red watermelon

As I said, I trimmed my cucumber plants – cutting off the dead vines and leaves – in the hopes the plants will survive. They still don’t look good, but there’s always hope.

Cucumber vines post pickle worms

My lemon drop pepper plants are so loaded with peppers, tiny as they are, that the branches are hanging towards the ground!

Lemon drop pepper plant

INTERESTING:

While I was out in the garden, the wind blew a lacy orb into one of my raised beds. It was a dried tomatillo husk from the summer. Isn’t it beautiful?

Dried tomatillo husk

QUESTIONS:

Yesterday, I noticed a white flower on the end of one of my green cucumbers. I’ve never seen a white cucumber flower before, only yellow. Has anyone else seen this?

White flower on cucumber

Here’s something else I’ve never seen before – a new caterpillar. Well, new to me. I found this ugly thing on one of the leaves of my winter squash. (I crushed him!) I did some research to find out what it is, but I’m still not sure. It’s similar to a red-headed azalea caterpillar, but I don’t think that’s what it is. Anyone know what this is?