WATERMELON, PICKLE WORMS AND MORE

Watermelon

Melon Patch

We had lots of rain last week thanks to TS Andrea, which was much needed as it's been really hot and dry for about two weeks.  It was a nice break not having to go out to water everything and sweat after working all day!  I was also out of town over the weekend, anxious to get home not only to my husband but to see how much everything had grown in just 3 days!!  I have TWO watermelons so far and they are getting huge, very healthy too!
 The melon bed is overflowing so much that I had to lay down some black plastic for the vines to sprawl over.
I spotted a Cantaloupe  on the vine today also.  I'm sure there's more hiding in there somewhere, just can't see them yet as the vines are very dense.


                                                                   I harvested what I could  Friday, a few Squash, Zucchini and some Tomatoes.  I had missed a few zucchini, which had grown way too big over the weekend and when I went to pick them, they were very sticky and I noticed many pinholes on the fruit along with some very slimy stuff under the plants which turned out to be PICKLE WORMS!!  I'm not sure what brought them into my garden, maybe the rain?  Unfortunately, they are a difficult pest to get rid of.   I made a mixture of Cayenne pepper, garlic and dish soap in water and sprayed everything with it today.  I also did a bit if research and found that you must harvest the fruit early, before the worms start munching.
I also noticed what looks like Powdery Mildew on both the squash and zucchini plants and treated that with baking soda and water.  I will have to watch that carefully as it will kill the plant if not taken care of.

The last bit of bad news I have is the dreaded squash vine borer is most definitely living in the squash plant that resides in my melon bed.   I poured neem oil over the hole at the base of the plant and will have to wait and see what happens.  

Cantaloupe

Bonnie Grape Tomatoes

It's amazing to me the havoc that was wreaked in just 3 days of my being gone.  It really is important to spend time and keep a watchful eye on your garden!  Preventative maintenance is the key to keeping your plants heathy and happy!  

HAPPY GARDENING.

Mary

Sweet Banana Peppers

Japanese Eggplant

Gladiola

Powdery Mildew????

looks like Squash Vine Borer!! OH NO!

Diseased Cauliflower

Purple Tomato problems with Splitting

Here is a quick video update..... carrot harvest!

Basket of Carrots

Watermelon, Cantaloupe and Squash

 I harvested most of the carrots today, there are still a few small ones growing so I will have another harvest in a few weeks or so.  I had no idea how easy it was to grow carrots, you have to be patient though because they take a while to grow.

I added some Mel's mix to where I took out the carrots and planted a few Roma Tomato plants and Habanero Pepper plants too.  You can't grow too many tomatoes or peppers!!  I've never grown Habaneros , hopefully they're as easy as the banana variety.  I put in the Roma's because my goal is to have enough to make some good sauce, maybe even do a little canning.  Is that ambitious enough???  Yup, I think so.

I harvested my first ever cucumbers today also, very exciting as I've heard many horror stories from other gardners about problems with worms, etc....  so far so good here.

The eggplant are finally producing and I have my first Japanese variety to try on the grille this weekend.  The Black Beauty's seem to be holding their flowers and I am anxiously awaiting some fruit to appear.

Baby Watermelon

 

Lots of blooms on Watermelon plant

 To the left is a picture of a watermelon!!!!  I am so hoping these do well as this is yet another first for me.  How cool will it be to pick fresh watermelon and cantaloupe from my garden to enjoy and share!!!  These plants have my full attention and I will do everything in my power to keep them healthy and happy.

Happy Gardening!!!

Mary

Squash

Cucumbers, Japanese Eggplant and some Romaine lettuce

Pot of Carrots

Garden Video - 5/26/13

Square Foot Garden update

I haven't posted since the raised garden beds have been completed and I decided to try Square Foot Gardening.  So far I have to say, it's been my best ever gardening experience in all my years of home gardening!  The concept of  Square Foot Gardening is "grow more in less space", and "space" is something I just don't have here so this concept was a perfect solution to my space problem.

I've already grown and harvested broccoli and radishes and FYI, radishes are FUN to grow!  I had 8 broccoli plants which produced enough for about 3 meals, not as much as I would have liked,  buy hey, I've never been lucky growing it in the past, so I'll take it!   We had a late frost and the eggplant was stunted but has recovered and is now producing.  I tried Snow Snap Peas for the first time, after reading how easy and prolific they were, I am disappointed as I believe they have powdery mildew and have basically stopped growing and need to be removed.  The Green Onions are coming along nicely as well as the carrots, which I am amazed that I am even growing CARROTS!!  I am also growing romaine and mesclun lettuce, there's nothing better then fresh salad with dinner, right out of your garden!  I had no idea how easy lettuce was to grow and will be growing much more of it next year.  Green beans of course, are the EASIEST veggie to grow, I have a total of 16 plants in 2 squares and believe we'll be eating them thru the end of the summer.

Other first time veggies I'm trying this year are cucumbers, cantaloupe and watermelon..... not too worried about the cukes but wish me luck with the melons!

Happy Gardening.... enjoy the new video and pictures I posted today....

Mary - The Ambitious Gardner  :)

Raised Beds complete with gate and chicken wire fence

Broccoli

Broccoli and Eggplant

Add caption

Carrots coming up

More plants

New Raised Bed for melons

Cucumbers

Lettuse

Radishes

Red Onions

Hot Pepper Pots

Salad with Nastursims

broccoli

hot peppers

nice squash

Zucchini