WAY TOO MUCH RAIN

Melon Bed

 I haven't taken any photos or videos in a few weeks due to the enormous amount of rain we've received here in North Florida.  Now I know water is beneficial and required to grow healthy and prolific plants, but too much of anything is not a good thing as the pictures will show.

My melon bed was the most affected.  These once healthy and beautiful vines just drown from all the water, never getting a chance to dry out over the last two weeks.  Fungus set in and what ever fruit was on the vines either split open or fell off.  We tried to eat one of the cantaloupe but it was pale and tasteless...... too much water!

 I was heartbroken, to say the least.  Mother Nature has not been kind to me lately!  I shouldn't complain really because we did get to enjoy ONE delicious watermelon and I look forward to trying again next year.

 
                                                                       









 To the right are the sun sugar and yellow boy tomatoes.  Very prolific plants... I've harvested quite a few of both varieties and they are really
good.  Unfortunately, the rain also brings many different and destructive insects along with it.  The big brown leaf footed bug (see below) has totally infested these tomato plants.  Every time I would go to harvest, 20 or 30 of them would fly off and attack me!! Nasty buggers!  They were immune to both BT and Neem so the my last resort was breaking my organic oath and buying Seven Insecticide spray.  I hated to do it, but the only way for me to go near my garden again was resorting to that.

It must have worked as I only saw a few on the plants today.

My roma tomatoes are finally producing and are very healthy so far.  I'm looking forward to some home made sauce very soon.

 The cucumbers were doing really well until all the rain came.  Now they are also covered with fungus although I still see a few baby cukes on the vine.  Not sure what will happen, but I'm not ready to give up yet.

 The Black Beauty eggplant final set one fruit but it fell off.  I sure wish I knew what the problem was with these plants.

Basil

 I have lots of nice basil growing and plan to pick a bunch this week and make some home made pesto.  My daughter gave me a great recipe and I can't wait to try it.  yum!

"Mr Owl"

 My guardian "Mr Owl" has done a bang up job of keeping he critters away this year... thanks Mr. Owl!

Romas

Cow Horn Peppers

 Finally getting some hot Cow horn peppers.  I only have one of these plants but it is loaded with peppers.  These are my absolute favorites.

Red Hot Cherry Peppers

The Red Hot Peppers are taking a long time to produce but looking good.  These babys are going to be really hot.

Roma Tomatoes

Trimmed back Tomato plant, still producing

Crepe Myrtle

Juliet Roma Grape tomatoes

Crepe Myrtle