Early Autumn Report

Our temperatures have begun to range between about 50 and 70 degrees F and we have had a couple good soaking rains over the past two weeks. I finally got the seedlings in the basement all planted outside last night (they could have been planted out two weeks ago). Most of the things that I planted have a 30-40 day maturation, but that will be lengthened because the days are short and the nights are cool.

I had to take out the marigolds that were growing very large, the zucchinis which were not producing much anyway and a few kale plants that overwintered last year but were still producing. I also took out the cucumbers and green beans which were shading the rear frame.

This morning, I replanted most of the radishes more deeply because it seemed that a good portion of the root was above ground.

I harvested apples last weekend. They taste very good, but I only harvested one armload. I decided it wasn't worth the effort to get to the higher branches because there were so few apples.

Harvest photos follow, from most recent to earlier in the month. The raspberry harvest of about 1 cup over two days was the largest of the season, though I have probably picked and eaten another two cups during the course of the season.

9/26 The last two cukes of the year

9/24 Harvest

9/24 Seedlings being set out
(lettuce, carrots, parsley, cilantro, tatsoi, choi)

9/24 Near frame after clearing (left a couple
of chard and pepper plants with fruit)

9/24 Snap peas being set out

9/21 Largest single raspberry harvest this year (1/2 cup)

9/21 Tomato harvest

9/24 Apple harvest
(not sure if the squirrels or tenants got the rest)

9/15 Harvest (basil and tomatoes)

9/16 Hot pepper with stress marks

9/15 Banana peppers and basil

9/14 Harvest

9/12 Harvest (beans, beans, beans...)

9/10 Small frame with celery, kale and peppers

9/10 New snap peas and radishes

9/10 Seedlings (snap peas, lettuce, parsley,
cilantro, arugula, mizuna, tatsoi, choi)

First of September Report

I was surprised to find several snap peas already maturing this weekend (started 7/13), so I decided to get some more planted (~80). I managed to get the last packet of snap peas that were available at the Coop. They were already taken down from display and someone had to search for them in the back. I also planted some radishes directly in the garden and am planning to start some carrots inside, though they will probably not fully mature before winter.

We have harvested an amazing number of green beans from just eight plants started in mid-June. The peak production appears to have happened this weekend though many of the pods should have been picked a little earlier.

The zucchinis are suffering from powdery mildew. According to a quick web search, the following natural remedies may work: rinsing the leaves in the morning when they will have a chance to dry quickly; vinegar solution 2-3 TBSP per gallon of water; milk, one part milk to two parts water, applied once a week.

I took out two tomato plants recently that were turning yellow/purple and blighted. I may not have fertilized as much as I should have since the tomatoes in the next frame are looking very healthy.

The largest harvest of green beans this year 

(planted mid-June)

Black Swallowtail Caterpillar on Parsley