June 30th Update

The verse I read today was:

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.  Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge."    Psalm 19:1&2

Standing outside today was beautiful.  I tend to love spring weather and it always passes so quickly.  However, today it has felt like spring again!  There was a light breeze and the sun was out to light the sky yet some clouds kept the temperature at 73 degrees.  I wasn't able to stay outside as long as I would have liked (we are in the process of finishing up some interior work in our house) but I relished every moment I had in the garden. 

Zinnias in full bloom

I am always amazed at how small I feel under our giant Maple trees.  Just standing in our yard reminds me that God is amazing!  We have prayed this year that God would bless our garden.  We know that prayer has already been answered in part.  We have been able to share with others our seedlings, crops as they produce and the knowledge we have gained from this process.  

BED# 1- (pictured below) Asparagus, Parsley, Tomatoes & Basil.

Still battling the Asparagus Beetles (next year we will make a taller row cover & keep it on all year!)

I need to dry some of this Parsley because we have an abundance.

(Late plant) Tomatoes & Basil after Peas were harvested

BED# 2- (pictured below) Cauliflower, Broccoli, Corn, Pole Beans & Winter Squash.

We just harvested 2 of our 4 Broccoli.  Yumm!  I think we may have waited too long on one of them.  This is the first year we have been successful with Broccoli.  Row Covers made the difference!  No more of those little green cabbage worms this year! 

Identifying our Winter Squash by the fruit:

Burgess: Winter Squash #1

Butternut: Winter Squash #2

Spaghetti: Winter Squash #3

Buttercup OR Delicata (too early to identify): Winter Squash #4

 

CENTER OF GARDEN- (pictured below) Two Watermelon plants. 

The Watermelon is beginning to bloom.  It is sprawling everywhere!  We just have to make sure we don't step on it.  Next year we may add one small raised bed in this location.

BED# 3- (pictured below) Onions, Carrots, Bush Beans & Summer Squash.

Tiny Green Beans

Onion top producing small flowers & seeds

We are very excited that our Onions are growing well this year!   We have been using 1 or 2 in dinner dishes at night and still have so many.  Maybe I will be able to dry some for the fall this year.

Tiny Summer Squash forming (in the back of BED #3)

BED# 4- (pictured below) Bush Zucchini, Peppers, Eggplant & Cucumbers.

Zucchini have grown so large they are now hiding the Peppers & Eggplant behind them!

So far we have harvested 2 Zucchini and there are at least 4 more currently on the way.  I have been checking daily for signs of bugs (specifically the Squash Vine Borer) and have not seen any signs yet.

Cucumbers with yellow male flowers

Tiny baby Cucumbers

Pepper plant with blooms

PLANTS ON DECK: 3 Tomatoes, Basil, Parsley & Ivy plant

 We still have 2 more months to go with our season.  This is the time of the year when everything really starts producing fruit.  I will keep you updated on the progress!