Gardening is about enjoying the smell of things growing in the soil, getting dirty without feeling guilty, and generally taking the time to soak up a little peace and serenity. ~Lindley Karstens
Plot 63, Roseville Community Garden on July 14, 2012. Day 56 since planting.
[Note: I started this post on Monday, July 16 but got sidetracked with a client and some town meetings, so I did not finish processing the images and publish it. On Wednesday the 18th, more rushed client work, computer issues and the 102-degree heat with massive afternoon storms kept me offline and unable to publish. What happened Wednesday night made me too sad to finish the pics and publish – see my next post, “Weather means more when you have a garden” – but I’m doing so now on Friday, July 20 to keep continuity in my blog record of the garden project.]
Whew! The crazy hot weather and lack of any real rain has kept me on a very regular watering/weeding/sweating schedule the past week, but I’ve always returned with something for my efforts.
With the above normal summer heat on, the garden is growing like gangbusters – as is the bounty of the summer harvest!
June brought an abundance of Crimson Giant and Cherry Belle Radishes, and Parris Island Romaine Lettuce. July’s garden has continued with the Romaine Lettuce and now yielded some hot jalapeno peppers, Black Beauty Summer Squash, Cucumbers, and Ruby Red Swiss Chard. I am waiting VERY impatiently for the tomatoes to start ripening, as the bushes are thick with rapidly growing green fruits! I’ve also grabbed a couple of green bell peppers, and the plants started from seeds after the first crop was washed out are looking really good – all with many flowers and lush green leaves – I’ve had to transplant a couple of them since they were growing too close to the now massive tomato bushes and being overwhelmed.
The Waltham Butternut and Early Acorn Squash are setting more fruit, and the ones already started are getting massive and ripening quickly – they make some excellent meals this September!
Here’s a few more pictures taken between the last update on July 9th and today. Click on the pictures for a larger image.
Despite everyone telling me the hot weather would doom the lettuce, The Romaine seems to be continuing to grow incredibly well, and is coming back as a second crop where I have cut the first growth to harvest.
Jalapeno peppers and cucumbers – I’ve got some plans for you this coming week!
Boom! You’re a pickle! I cut the cukes into big chunks, added onion, some jalapeno & green pepper, dill and covered in an intensely strong and heated vinegar/sugar/salt brine, then threw in fridge overnight. These are the PERFECT snack with a Bloody Mary…hmmm. Better get some V-8 & vodka!
The Romaine and Swiss Chard are doing great, despite the intense heat and lack of rain. Of course daily evening trips to water them has been a huge help. I’m feeling like a salad right now. Yum!