Summer has set in with its usual severity. ~Samuel Taylor Coleridge
July? July? Where did June go? With the weather we’ve had the last few weeks, you could almost convince me it’s August already! Daily high and low temperatures are averaging 5-15 degrees above normal, and have caused an explosion of growth in the garden. Fortunately, hours of sweating in the sun have kept the weeds somewhat under control. And things are looking good in Roseville Community Garden Plot 63!
The tomatoes are growing incredibly well, as can be seen in this July 2, 2012 photo from my Roseville Community Garden plot.
I’ve harvested the last of the Cherry Belle and Crimson Giant radishes and distributed them by the dozens to appreciative friends and neighbors. And I have had a number of wonderful Romaine Lettuce and radish salads this past week, harvesting the lettuce by the grocery bag yesterday!
The rest of the garden is progressing nicely, as you can see from these pictures. The tomatoes are loving the heat and warm nights – flowering and setting fruit like crazy! I am soooo ready for the first ones to ripen…because nothing beats the taste of a garden grown & ripened Jersey tomato! Nothing.
The most impressive growth has come from the Early Acorn Squash plants, which are approaching three feet high and setting dozens of fruit. The Waltham Butternut Squash has grown substantially as well, and is setting out vines all over, but has yet to establish many fruit. If I’m not careful, it will take over the tomato patch!
The Black Beauty Summer Squash started out a little disappointing, but the smallish plant (compared to the now massive acorn squash) has set a whole bunch of fruit that seem to have grown 6-8″ almost overnight. My cucumbers, after a slow start, are now starting to establish vines that I’m hoping to train into the vacated radish patch. And a few flowers have now set small fruit.
The Sweet Red, Kung Pao Hybrid and Pepperochini Hot Peppers are doing well also – I’ll try and get some pictures of them this week, and I have a couple of jalepeno peppers ready to pick. The Sweet Basil, Fennel and Danvers 126 & Kaleidoscope Carrots also are looking healthy and making good progress as well.
Plot 63, Roseville Community Garden on July 2, 2012. The empty area on the left is the now vacated radish patch.
At the left is the latest “full garden” shot for a comparison at 6 weeks since planting – it’s been tough keeping everything watered, weeded and happy with the bright sun overhead and baking hot weather dominating our region the last week or two. Even the occasional late-day or pre-dawn thunderstorms just haven’t been enough to keep the soil from turning powder dry.
But the regular garden-treks – whether they be for weeding, watering or harvesting – are becoming mini-therapy sessions. Dirt therapy, on my hands and knees with mother earth. Sweat on my brow, bowing to the fertile soil, basking in the warmth and energy of the mid-summer sun. And being enriched by the beauty, bounty and rewards of working the soil. It’s really become a peaceful moment I eagerly anticipate on most days, despite the brutal weather of late. Helps to put thing into perspective.
It has also given me a deep appreciation of the time and effort involved in growing the foods we so often might take for granted. And let me tell you, the radish and lettuce salads I’ve eaten sure taste good!
I can’t wait for the BLT’s, grilled veggie sandwiches, or the tomato & basil & mozzarella salads I’ll be eating fresh from the garden later this month! Yummmmmmm!
Check out the rest of the pictures below – I’ve got some country-style ribs to BBQ and a cold gin & tonic waiting for me to celebrate the 4th! Hope you are enjoying your holiday, where ever you may be. Be sure to stay hydrated and don’t let the heat get to you. But remember…some like it hot!
The Parris Island Romaine Lettuce – making many a tasty early summer salad!
Black Beauty Summer Squash – flowering and setting fruit so quickly it amazed me – happened almost overnight!
Fennel is doing fine. I love grilled fennel, brushed with olive oil and cracked whole peppercorns!
The Early Acorn Squash (center) is dominating the center of the 15 x 15 foot garden plot. But the Waltham Butternut Squash (rear left) could give it a run for it’s money as it spreads low and slow.
Basil, carrots and tomato plants eagerly await a refreshing watering as I eagerly await the time to consume them!