A nice weekend with family

Family from Kentucky and South Carolina have come and gone, and we had a very good time! It rained alot, but there were a few times when we were able to lounge in the outdoor furniture located on the big deck I built last year. It was very relaxing, but the skeeters were out in full force, though. All of the fish that had been frozen over the past 6 weeks supplied everyone's evening meal on Friday night, and it was just enough. Whew....mission accomplished. Little Gracie loved those dill pickles I made last year, so I gave a jar of those - and 2 jars of pear preserves to her, Lin, and Kim. In return, we got 2 jars of Lin's famous homemade salsa, and the recipe too! Oh boy......Anyway, it was sure good to see everyone.

In gardening news, there's alot to write about...

First, and most important (for granny), I harvested 1 lb., 8 oz. of broccoli and lettuce today. The broccoli was trying to bolt, so I just pulled all of it. All of the plants were introduced into the compost bins, but the heads were eaten in salads. Woo Hoo!

Second, around 8 of the cabbage plants were pulled and added to the compost bins as well. These particular plants had very tiny heads, and needed another 6 weeks to reach maturity. The remaining plants should mature in probably 3 weeks. The interplanted corn is right on schedule, and are getting the water/nutrients needed.

Third, the tomato plants are getting really big, and look very healthy. Even the sick-looking Cherokee Purple plant is doing MUCH better! Yay! All have blooms, and some should set fruit in the next 7 days.

Fourth, the cowpeas that were planted a couple of weeks ago have sprouted, and are a couple of inches tall, now. Cool. Because of the potatoes planted in the front of the bed, only 3 rows of cowpeas could be planted, though....Oh well, a 27 foot row of cowpeas should produce quite a bit.

Everything else is doing quite well, even though it's rained almost everyday for the past 2 weeks. Only 1 thing in the entire garden is suffering from it - the zucchini. Can you believe it? Just like last year, and they're planted in another completely different section of the garden. This leads me to believe - that for some reason, zucchini can't take as much water as the other squash. I mean....both varieties (yellow crookneck and zucchini) are planted right beside one another, and the crookneck are doing perfect! UGH!

All of the melons (sugar bowl, congo, moon and stars, mountain hoosier, swan lake, cool green, and sierra gold cantaloupe) have their first set of true leaves now, and should start running in a couple of weeks. The trellises will be happy about that!

The lone butternut squash plant in the 18 gallon swc is looking real good, and has it's true leaves, as well. Now, for some much needed sunshine......I'll try to get pics this week, if it quits raining.....

Take care, and happy gardening!

EG