Since my last post we had 3 weeks of no rain whatsoever with really high temps and we were out of town for two of those weeks. Good for us, not so good for the garden. I spent about a week watering daily and bringing things back to life and now we’re in full production mode again.
Some of the perennials that came back with us - a flat of 18 for $18. I planted the shade plants in the ground and 3 of each of the sun plants in these pots where I can keep them well watered and they have a little more room to grow.
The tomato plants that used to have beans in front of them - pulled out the beans and the peppers are using the space now. (These cages are 6 ft tall btw)
The oldest cucumber plants suffered while we were gone but they are still bearing. Behind the cukes you’ll notice what looks like corn growing - it is actually milo, or grain sorghum. I didn’t plant it, this area was grass last year and I turned it into garden area by moving the chickens over it and one of the chicken feeds I bought had milo seed in it. I’d never heard of it before, but it grows like crazy and produces a huge plume of seeds at the top which the chickens love. Contrary to popular belief, chicken food is pretty expensive so I’m always on the lookout for cheaper alternatives or supplements.
The second garden again. The castor beans are now taller than me and some of the leaves are almost 2 feet across. The cotton is blooming and the amaranthus has been shredded by some bug (I’m guessing japanese beetles - but I have not seen them on anything else this year so I think the amaranthus may be acting as a sacrificial trap crop) but is still blooming like crazy. The tomatoes are tall and loaded and the sweet potatoes growing like mad. This garden was watered twice via my garbage can watering system (thanks Claudia!) while we were gone and it gets a fair amount of shade during the day. It was barely wilted when we got back I have a theory that plants in the south don’t ever need full sun, if they do get full sun they just need more water and complete their life cycle faster.
Close ups! I like how the castor bean and sweet potato leaves look together.
LOVE the buds on the cotton plants.
And the flowers - the second day they turn a deep pink.
Okay-just one more for tonight.
Sweet potatoes in the front, tomatoes and peppers in the middle, 3 sisters (corn, beans, and squash) in the back
You should see everyone’s gardens up here. It has been so cold that things aren’t coming along very well. We would be eating sweet corn by now and yet in the fields, it is still only a couple feet tall!
Your gardens are beautiful, you lucky girl! You’ll be eating good for a long time!!
Gorgeous. My tomatoes are over my head, but no red ones from anyone yet! Weird year.