Real summer for me is when the tomato plants begin producing. In the past this was well before July 4th. This year I planted my tomato plants early but an unexpected frost devastated them and this set me back several weeks. So, it was only on July 4th that I was able to pick ripe tomatoes.
For the first time in several years I have been able to grow squash. In past years the squash plants appeared to flourish and bore flowers and began producing little squash and then overnight were felled by the lurking vine borer. The only evidence of its activities was the base of the vine at ground level was cracked and disrupted. Undeterred, I planted more vines this year – some were seeds and some transplants. And they bore squash. Not to say the borer was absent – it destroyed say 30% of the plantings, but the remainder survived (this far) and have provided squash. Why the changed outcome? As I include plant diversity it may be the area is more attractive to predators of the borer; or the borer cannot easily find its victims, concealed as they are among numerous different plants. I also planted the 3 sisters – corn, beans and squash together, and maybe this grouping strengthened the squash or discouraged the borer. I really should pick the squash when they are small – the two larger items in the photo below were camouflaged and I only noticed them too late. Squash has been in active production since mid-June.
My cucumber plants are beginning to take off. Last year they had full sun exposure throughout the day and did not do very well. This year I am growing them in an area which has afternoon shade, which may be helping them. Lots of little flowers in evidence plus bees and other pollinating insects, so I am hoping for a bountiful supply in coming weeks. Here are a few of the early arrivals.
In addition to the above, the blackberries and blueberries are producing and various of my apple trees are offering samples. I do not spray and although I took care to remove fallen apples last year, this did not deter the usual pest onslaught. My approach is I suppose philosophical, I don’t use chemicals and so, to enjoy the apples, I share them – i.e. I cut out the good parts and leave the affected areas for those who got there first. Pears are not as affected and I am hoping that the pears, which are approaching ripeness, will be all for me.
Did I mention the garlic harvest – a couple weeks ago I brought in the garlic and they are drying in full shade of the carport and every day some are chopped and diced for culinary purposes.