What have you done today in the Garden?

I chased a snake out of my garden with the garden hose. It was at least 4 ft. long. I sure hope I scared him off, because he sure scared me.

 

I pulled the rest of the crabgrass, leaving some around the watermelon a little while back, but now I'm wondering about that. I noticed that the crabgrass seemed to hold the moisture in the soil. I guess the dew would drip down to the soil and since the crabgrass was so thick, it stayed wet along the bottom of the blades. Once I pulled the crabgrass out, I noticed the soil dried out very quickly. It is raining again and I'm not sure which is better, to leave the crabgrass or pull it.

Pulling pros
plants are getting more sun
more nutrients are available for the plants

Pulling cons
It hasn't happened yet, but I'm worried about rain washing out my plants
Moisture seemed to be held by the soil longer



What are your thoughts?

 

Today we picked 4 bu. of green beans, I pulled 1/2 the garlic and all the elephant garlic. Picked the zucchinis...anybody want some? I think I picked at least 50 pounds worth.
Pulled 8 bunches of beets for tomorrows market, baked 2 batches of bread and did a few other things, but I am too tired to remember whatever it was.

 

I got 3 pea pods and pulled the rest of my early radishes. Soon, I plan to plant the autumn radishes.

I really have to rethink and replan my beans and peas. I would prefer to get a larger harvest. I guess I can't get much from eight plants of each, but I don't have room for more.

 

Beeker...We have 4 double rows of beans and each are 50' long. Which is a lot of beans. each row yielded 1 bushel of beans today.... I agree, 8 plants won't be much. Can you plant in containers if you don't have the ground space. Or maybe find a community garden plot to grow in? You could harvest enough for a meal or two if you have a little bigger row to work with. or even can or freeze some for the winter.

 

Have 7 pints of zucchini pickles in the canner. I think it's time to pull up the zucchini and cucumber plants. Any suggestions as to what I could replant now in this heat?

 

Maybe greenbeans more squash...start planning for a Fall garden with cabbage, kale, swiss chard, beets, carrots, lettuce, etc.

 

I will plant more greenbeans after it dries up and hope the beetles leave them alone. Probably carrots and beets also.

 

I was out early and killed off some slugs. Don't want them eating up what the hurricane left behind!

 

Harvested more toms.
Another load similar in weight to this one:


We canned concentrate with of them.

After cleaning and cutting them, they were boiled for a while...then passed through a passe-vite.

Next, they went back into the cooking vessel to cook down a bit more.


When they were finally done, this is how many pots we had:


Added to the ones from previous harvests we now have 14 large jars and 3 small ones. That will be enough to see us through the winter, but there are still more toms on the vines. I guess we're not through yet.

 

Well, Sjoerd, I'm green with jealousy over your tomato crop. They look so good! You'll be enjoying those for many moons.
My Celebrity tomato has not been very productive. What I am picking is good, but not enough of them. Geez, last year I had a wagon full! Interesting how the crop does differently from year to year.

 

Beeker, I would google the question regarding pulling or leaving Crab grass. Personally, I pull it and add grass clippings or straw as mulch.

I went out to harvest some brussel sprouts only to learn that the plants are covered with Aphids. I thought the greyish stuff was residue from when I sprayed a homemade concoction to keep Cabbage worms off. Now I can't use the plants as compost. Bah humbug.

 

Not a darn thing. Which is sad cause the weeds are creeping in, but I just dont have the motivation to do it. Bugger.

 

Did some cleaning-up today as well as getting the garden house back in order after the busy weekend.

 

Weeded two rows of peas and some of the greenbeans that weren't finished last week. Picked some zucchinis, cleaned up the greenhouse a little, sold some produce.