Good morning,yesss my ankle continues to improve. I am beginning to beat back the jungle in the garden. I don't think I have ever had the weed patch that I have acquired as I have this year. Such is life.
Such as it is the garden is doing quite well. I have been able to start harvesting sweets again. I definitely see signs of root knot nematodes but it looks like the fungus that in years past that has given them a russet look is gone. This really did not effect the taste but it did effect the keeping qualities. What with the freeze and hail last spring my butternut harvest is but a shadow of itself. It has been one of those kinds of years.
As for pests save for cucumber beetles most pests have not been a big deal. Although I am seeing the signs of sucking insects on the tomatoes. There are the tell tale blotches on the sides of tomatoes. I suspect his is from stink bugs. These have been most prevalent in the okra but I have also seen them in the toms too. They are slow movers or at least my fingers easily catch them.
I just have not felt the need to spray. I have noticed a lot of beneficial insects in the garden this year This is good because I have left the covers off most beds this year to take advantage of this. And a plus the two remaining guineas have not gotten into the garden and wreaked their special kind of havoc. They are ancient as far as fowl go. Because they are so mean to the chickens they no longer are allowed in the coops, so they are out all the time. They are so mean the hoot owls seem to even leave them alone. Such as things are I am grateful to have gotten them because they took care of getting rid of a huge grasshopper problem several years back. Without them the garden would have been toast. Even though they are nasty old men, they still have a small place in my heart.
One last note I continue to be gobsmacked by the recovery of my eggplants after spraying them with fermented garlic. I mean it totally either killed the flea beetles or they went packing. I am going to see what other bugs this may work on. Garlic is an amazing plant.
Follows is a list of what I am growing, please email as to availability and prices. Chard, kale, green onions, carrots, lettuce, okra, tomatoes, chilies (several varieties), eggplant, butternut squash, garlic, beets, bulb onions, sweet potatoes, and beans. Also, there is volunteer basil and dill.
