The intense heat continues here in the Charleston, SC area. Most of the days have been in the mid-90s, with a couple days reaching 98 and 99 degrees. Highest heat index was 108 this weekend. Needless to say, I didn’t get as much done in the garden as I needed to. I couldn’t stand the heat! We did get an inch of rain yesterday, thank goodness. And I did take time to take some pictures.
WHAT’S NEW:
Earlier in the week, I noticed that my Glass Gem corn had some silk.
Then, this weekend, I noticed ears are forming on my corn.
I found my first rich sweetness melon this weekend. I’m growing this for the first time.
I also found my first tigger melon on the plants I have growing under/up the teepee trellis. I grew these last year, but the bugs got to them before I could even try one.
Most of the calendula I planted didn’t make it in this heat. Of the few plants that survived, I have my first bloom, growing among my chili peppers.
IN THE GARDEN:
I harvested the rest of my onions this week. I had bought little onion bulbs/sets at Walmart in February – red, white, and yellow onions. I don’t know if it was the source of the onion sets or the intense heat so early in the season, but my onion harvest was a bust. Many didn’t grow at all under the ground, and those that did were quite small. Oh, well. It happens.
Unlike the onions, the perpetual spinach is thriving in this heat. I bought the seed this year, hoping I could have some type of greens (besides chard) throughout the summer, and this is definitely a winner.
Look at my Glass Gem corn with tassels reaching the sky.
I have several Black Futsu squash ripening. They are the color of zucchini when they’re young, then they turn this orangy color. When they’re ripe, they’ll be a greenish gray.
While pulling watermelon vines off the top of the fence, I accidentally moved vines down below – and discovered two large white watermelons I had no idea were there. It seems THESE were my first watermelons, and I didn’t know it. Nice surprise!
My elderberry trees are growing well.
My borage is in full bloom now.
IN THE KITCHEN:
This weekend, I had a fellow writer come over for lunch. Although it was too hot to eat outside, I did put out a spread from my garden. I served Italian bread with olive oil – infused with my garlic, rosemary, parsley, and oregano – for dipping. I sliced up three kinds of cheese (Monterey Jack, Gouda, and Asagio) on a platter with my fried jalapenos. I served my roasted beets, marinated in wine vinegar, and my Italian bean salad (to which I added my dragon tongue beans). I also had a salad of my cucumbers and parsley with an olive oil-lemon juice dressing. And, of course, I served Caprese salad – Cherokee Purple and Mortgage Lifter tomatoes with fresh mozzarella cheese and my fresh basil, drizzled with balsamic vinegar. Add water infused with fresh lemons (no, I don’t grow lemons) and the company of a good friend, and my luncheon was a success!
To see all the bounty I harvested this week from my garden, click here.
What’s happening in your garden and on your table?
That squash is gorgeous:) and the tablescape. Watchin for that glass gem-I tried a couple ears last week and this week my painted mountain was all set. My best corn year yet. I have extra seed of strawberry popcorn I harvested if you ever want any. CR
I’ve never eaten Black Futsu squash before; it’s supposed to taste like a butternut squash. I’ll let you know. It’s growing so well – the only one that has thrived (besides the Seminole pumpkin).
Strawberry popcorn? Hmm…sounds yummy. I wish I could plant two kinds of corn at the same time, but wind pollination can cross-pollinate corn up to a half mile away sometimes. Let me see how the Glass Gem turns out and I’ll let you know. Thanks!