It’s not so hot right now that I think it justifies whining. Not nearly as bad as it is down in Portland or other places. But still, warmer than I like it to be. I’d planned to post some garden photos tonight, but never found time to take any today.
Suffice it to say, the sun has the heat loving plants going gang busters. They’re spreading their leaves, reaching for the sky and heaving a huge sigh of relief. The tomatoes finally look happy, the peppers are maybe worth keeping, the bush beans and peas are putting on leaves and height seemingly while you watch.
My third round of basil seems like it might be the one that makes it. The cukes that are so far behind finally have more than 2 leaves apiece. And the pole beans finally graced us with their presence. Of course the corn is not nearly knee high and the 4th is coming up fast. But maybe it will make it.
Tomorrow I’ll be pulling clover out of the onions before it gets completely out of control. And then doing some spot weeding around the squash, broccoli and tomatoes. Going to try to get that all done before it gets hot.
Then I’m going to hit the farmers market so that perhaps I can make a bit more jam tomorrow night. And also to stock up on the last of the asparagus, peas, cherries, apriums and more so that we’re ready for our 20+ guests for our 4th of July BBQ. I originally had dreams that we’d be eating out of the garden by then, but not so much. Oh well. We’ll have lettuce, onion, spinach and radish straight from the garden. And that will have to be enough.
How’s your garden growing?
*****
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Tomatoes and peppers covered with flowers, peas galore, and a jungle of salad greens. Corn is small and squash is taking off. Strawberries and raspberries starting to bear fruit – there’s magic in the garden!
our basil plants are finally big enough to harvest a little… we had a caprese salad last night (with market-bought tomatoes, alas — our tomato plant is dying.)
we ate the very first plum of the year yesterday. our tree is so laden with fruit we had to prop out two of the branches with trellises, so I think there will be preserves and clafoutis and brandy this year!
My (albeit much smaller) garden sounds very similar to yours – not surprising since I think our weather has got to be very close (I live on the Eastside – above Bellevue. Can’t remember where you are?)
We are picking strawberries and I’m cutting and drying the first batches of mint, lemon balm and tarragon this week, as well as drying calendula, borage and chamomile blossoms for tea.
Lots of baby greens – so just enough for herb salads…
I will definitely agree with you on the too hot too early, Laura. Our high temp on sat. was 92 and yesterday was 98 – more today – but cooling down tomorrow.
I was encouraged by your ‘cuke report’ – mine are looking so sad…maybe it’s just not a “cuke year”…?
My (pop) corn will definitely not be knee-high by the 4th of July, but it’s at least more than ankle high now… First planting of red potatoes is going great guns & the Yukon Golds that I planted a few weeks ago are starting to pop through. My Bloody Butcher (heirloom tomato) has a small ‘mater on it – all other have lots of blossoms.
I still need to get some more stuff planted – and hope for a late fall. But it got too hot yesterday by the time I finished other stuff, so that will have to wait.
I did my first picking of strawberries yesterday morning – yum! And the blueberries are ripening nicely – not sure when they’ll be ready for picking…
Busy, busy, busy (smile)
Carla in No. Idaho
Glad to hear your heat-lovers are taking off. I’m feeling more hopeful that we may get to eat home grown this summer after all … we now have peas and carrots. I love wandering around the garden the morning after a hot day. I’m either hallucinating, or those plants are all a little bigger. Happy eating!