Sanctuary Gardener Update ~ 5/26/14

The weather here got hot and humid again this week, but a cold front came through on Friday (though without any rain, unfortunately). The humidity dropped for a couple days this past weekend, so I was able to spend two full days in the garden without feeling like passing out. And while spending such a long period of time in the garden, I saw that the heat and insufficient rain have brought the insects early. In two days, I saw squash vine borer moths on the squash, spotted cucumber beetles on my eggplant and corn, bean leaf rollers on my snap beans, army worms on my tomatoes, spider mites on my eggplant and lettuce, and aphids here and there. And the summer hasn’t even begun! It’s going to be a season of war with insects, it seems. Well, I”m ready for battle! Despite the uninvited guests, my plants are growing and fruiting; and we’ve made an addition to the homestead.

Sanctuary Gardener Update ~ 5/27/13

This Memorial Day weekend has been hot and sunny, and I got a lot done in the garden ~ fertilizing, weeding, pruning, and harvesting. The warm weather, along with the rain we got a few days ago, have caused growth spurts in every bed! Peppers, tomatoes, and beans are fruiting. Eggplant, beans, cucumbers, pumpkin, and squash are flowering. The picture above is a double-blossom male zucchini flower. I have never seen that before.

Sanctuary Gardener Update ~ 4/1/13

Finally, spring is here! The temperature was in the low to mid-70s this weekend, the pine trees are dropping pollen, new leaves are appearing on trees and bushes, and my winter garden is enjoying its last week before I harvest everything (ready or not) to prepare for the spring planting next weekend!