Wow, almost two months since the last post. So much happening in the garden since that time, so here it is in no particular order…
- Heavy mulching plus decent rainfall through most of July and August kept the need for mid-summer watering to a minimum. Watered today for the first time in at least a month.
- In early August the first signs of mildew showed up in the garden, on the cukes, squash, and the accidental pumpkin plant. The cukes are trying to hang on but the squash are dead. I treated the plants today with a combination of milk and baking powder but I think they’re past hope.
- Tomatoes are doing OK although the plants are not nearly as big as I’d hoped…may have to do with the fact that the roots can only go as deep as the depth of the raised bed. On the other hand, the cherry tomatoes are coming in like crazy starting about a week ago. First ripe full-sized tomato was the first week in August.
- The herb garden is going great…basil, rosemary, parsley, chives, oregano, and especially the sage. Need to encourage the club members to pick some as no one is taking it.
- Peppers are doing OK if not spectacular. Two of the hots–cayenne and hot cheery –are producing especially well.
- The planters were doing well until (I suspect) people started pouring drinks into the planters with the black-eyed susans. I nursed them back to health after the first time but it happened again last week. The planters closer to the doors with the hostas and impatiens are happy.
- Trying to grow mint in a container was a failure. Scratch mint from the list of herbs for next year..
- Word is people from the neighborhood strolling by have been picking from the gardening. Pretty lame but not unexpected. Still getting enough from the garden to make it worth it. Next year maybe we can think about some anti-theft steps but don’t want to go overboard. People from the club picking is no problem…that’s what it’s there for. And it’s nice that they’re able to do that.
- The giant sunflowers planted by the deck gate are big but still haven’t bloomed. Need to get them in the ground earlier next year.
A few lessons learned for next year:
- Need to get the tomatoes staked earlier. By the time I tried to stake them this year some were already out of control.
- May want to stretch some gardening cloth across the fence to prevent things from growing through.
- Everything needs to get in a little earlier than it did this year.
- Need to be more pro-active about mildew. Know when to start watching for it and how to fight it. Funny thing is, my squash plants in Nahant are mostly happy, only showing a few spots.
- May need small sign on planters asking people not to pour drinks or mash or cigarette butts.
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