Boy, we all prayed for some sunny, warm weather for so long, and then it happened! A heat wave that started in the Eastern States and spread all the way to the Pacific Ocean. For those of us with gardens, we are really happy because it makes everything grow so well. At least certain plants, tomatoes, peppers, squash of every variety and so on.
Here are our winter squash, peas and beans in June a few weeks after we planted them. We were so happy they had grown so well in just a couple of weeks, but unlike the middle of the country to the Atlantic Seaboard, we were only seeing occasional 'hot' days and remained in the 70's and 80's for the most part.
We planted 3 Butternut and 2 Spaghetti Squash plants, and in between the beans and peas. Yes, everyone has asked the same question - "Why so many plants?" Well, because one year one plant gave us so much we had to give them to everyone we knew and the following two years, well one of them? Not a squash to be found. They would shrivel up and die before they could grow! The following year, could not buy a Spaghetti Squash plant anywhere because the weather was cold too late in the season, and the Butternut Squash was barely enough to get through the winter, eating one squash every two weeks or so.
This year however, we will be giving them away once again! We have literally hundreds of squash, both Spaghetti, already the size of footballs, and Butternut, which are growing a bit slower, thank goodness. What we are afraid of now is the Spaghetti squash splitting before it has a chance to dry on the vine. So if anyone out there knows how to hasten the process, please email me!
Here are the plants now, and this is after several trimmings. We keep trimming it every time it grows in to the lawn, or out under the fence! What a difference 4 weeks and 20 to 30 degrees hotter makes! We go out and push the plants towards the middle away from the lawn at night, and every morning it's crept back out. Like it's got little legs! But, we'll have plenty of winter squash this year, basically all winter long!
Tomorrow I'll show you one of our Zucchinis - we're really excited about growing some of our own veggies! When we lived in the Monterey/Salinas area, there wasn't enough heat or sun to grow much of anything but herbs. So we are still learning!
Is anyone else growing a garden this year? What did you plant, and how is it doing? We'd really like to know, "How does your garden grow?" You knew that was coming, right!?
Blessings,
Donna
We planted 3 Butternut and 2 Spaghetti Squash plants, and in between the beans and peas. Yes, everyone has asked the same question - "Why so many plants?" Well, because one year one plant gave us so much we had to give them to everyone we knew and the following two years, well one of them? Not a squash to be found. They would shrivel up and die before they could grow! The following year, could not buy a Spaghetti Squash plant anywhere because the weather was cold too late in the season, and the Butternut Squash was barely enough to get through the winter, eating one squash every two weeks or so.
This year however, we will be giving them away once again! We have literally hundreds of squash, both Spaghetti, already the size of footballs, and Butternut, which are growing a bit slower, thank goodness. What we are afraid of now is the Spaghetti squash splitting before it has a chance to dry on the vine. So if anyone out there knows how to hasten the process, please email me!
Tomorrow I'll show you one of our Zucchinis - we're really excited about growing some of our own veggies! When we lived in the Monterey/Salinas area, there wasn't enough heat or sun to grow much of anything but herbs. So we are still learning!
Is anyone else growing a garden this year? What did you plant, and how is it doing? We'd really like to know, "How does your garden grow?" You knew that was coming, right!?
Blessings,
Donna
Your garden looks perfect. I wish I were your neighbor. ;-)
ReplyDeleteVery impressive. You have a beautiful garden. My plants are doing well...very overgrown in fact but not much yield. Here is Arizona, fall gardents often do better. I think we are going to re-do our whole garden this winter and put in raised gardens and a better irrigation system and hope for better next year. You have a lovely back yard.
ReplyDeleteMy vegetable garden is doing great despite of the extreme heat. Lots of zucchini,eggplants, peppers, cucumbers and okra. The tomatoes are starting to bear fruit. Only the string beans are not producing. This due to the extreme heat. I have to water every day, and a lot! It didn't rain for over two months and no forecast for any rain.
ReplyDeleteOh how I love your garden! You have plenty of plants, and they are all beautiful! Mine has just a few plants now, it's been raining a lot this season so we are afraid they will be under water. When the rains are over, surely we will have more plants!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day, my sweet friend!!
Much love, LS
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
It all looks wonderful, Donna! I'm glad you finally got the heat you've been needing.
ReplyDeleteLooking good :0), Nothing like fresh veggies!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am really enjoying the mango jam right now :) :) :)
It looks good, Donna. We have pumpkins and gourds for the kids this year but no real veggies. Maybe next year I will be a little more ambitious- xo Diana
ReplyDeleteYour veggie garden looks great Donna! We didn't plant a garden this year...maybe next year. Enjoy your evening, Gail
ReplyDeleteall looks brilliant you wanna see my garden...its like a forest especially with all the rain i have the tallest weeds in the county hehe love sassyxxx
ReplyDelete