Better Late than Never

The time finally came when the cantaloupe had to come out so we could make room for the watermelon.  I experimented a few weeks ago with a couple water melon seeds to see how well they would grow in my soil.  It appears they liked it because I have small watermelons already starting to form!  I decided that since the cantaloupe was not producing anymore and it was getting late in the year, that we should just take them out and see what happens with the watermelons.

My husband helped with the clean up project...removing some weeds and tilling up the garden.  I moved the watermelon vines out of the way while we worked.

We dug out a small trench so the water from the soaker hose would find its way to the roots of the watermelons.  Then I laid them back out as strategically as possible.  I don't have a large area for them but it should work for us this year.  Next year, I will prepare a better area for them.

Looks better and the watermelon vines have more room to run.  With a little luck, I may get some melons before the weather turns cold.  I was extremely excited to see these little guys forming.  It never fails to amaze me how all this comes from one little seed.


 Pepper update!

Since it has cooled off some and we've received a little rain, the peppers are growing to their full potential.  The rain did cause the plants to get a little heavy and few of the pepper plants folded over from the weight. I had to pin a few of these up to keep them off the ground.

 The okra is taller than me now and although I seem to have a few aphids here and there, the okra is doing fantastic.  I have bagged and froze enough okra at this point for the winter.  The aphids are attracting all kinds of critters that are feeding on them.  I am leaving them alone for now because they don't appear to be hurting the okra.

The tomatoes are on hold for now.  They are in the process of forming a new load.  I am getting a few here and there but for the most part, I'm in a waiting period.  

The squash has slowed down and I've lost a few plants to the squash bugs, but I'm still getting a few yellow squash.  I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts.

The Party is Still Going...or should I say Growing?

The summer has flown by and I realize that I have not been disciplined in keeping my blog updated but that's only because I've been so busy in my garden!  Surprisingly, for my first attempt at a garden, it has gone really well and boy have I learned a lot.  Here in Oklahoma we are coming off record high temperatures...folks I'm not just saying like a 100 degrees here...there were days after days of breaking temperature records that had been around for years!  113 here...109 here...another 110 degrees...day after day after day.  

I know what you're thinking...how in the world did you keep your garden going in those temperatures? I would like to say the answer was my skills but we both know that would be a lie.  The truth is two things...God's Mercy, and a soaker hose with a timer.  Regular watering occurred even when I didn't want to go outside in fear that my face might melt off.

Now to the fun stuff...check out these cantaloupes that are growing like crazy.  I can't risk spraying the weeds in this area so I just let the vine grow with the grass.  No big deal.  

I had to check out a few youtube videos from experienced farmers to know when to pick these little suckers.  What I learned was to just wait til they were golden yellow and when I hold them they should just fall off the vine.  If you have to tug on them, then they aren't ready.  Don't risk losing that sweet delicious melon...just be patient my friend.

The tomatoes have done real well this year, I've had a few issues with some grasshoppers but nothing major.  I've picked and picked and picked and they keep coming.  I'm really happy about this because I recently found a salsa recipe online that I really like.

I found these great plastic storage containers by the canning section at Walmart.  The lids screw on so it keeps your food fresh and it makes it easy to store.  One other item I purchased this year was this $45 Ninja food processor.  Great for the money and super easy to use and clean...I highly recommend it.  

I keep coming up with different ways to wash and dry the veggies, but the latest idea has worked out well.  I just purchased two inexpensive dish racks where they can sit and dry after I've washed them.  I try to cut and store them as soon as I can but sometimes they do sit here for a day if I get busy.

 

Okra after being cut and put in ziplock freezer bags

Back at the garden, the bell peppers are still growing.  I have a lot to learn in this area because I can't seem to get my peppers to grow very big.  They get half the size I think they should be then they get these brown spots on the bottom of them.  I'm not sure what it is and not sure what I need to do to get them bigger.  I will keep you posted....

My jalapeños  are doing much better than the bell peppers.  I get a ton of these but again, they haven't grown to the giant size I sometimes see in the store.  Don't get me wrong, they are still hot as ever and tasty too.  My husband enjoys cutting them in half and stuffing them with cream cheese and shredded cheese, then wrapping them up in a piece of bacon. mmmmm good

One thing I can count on to do well no matter how hot it gets is Okra.  These guys have to be picked almost everyday now.  If you don't pick them regularly, they get too big.  When they get big, they get tough and are not very good to eat.  When they are about the size of your finger, it's time to pick!  I use to push my way through the plants and cut the Okra with some scissors.  What they don't tell you is that Okra is covered in these tiny irritating little fibers that get in your skin.  I now where gloves and break them off.  The scissors took more time and really didn't achieve much for me.  If you snap the okra on the good spot by the stem it pops right off.

A few tips for the road.....

I realize that it's a hard thing to do but if you can somehow manage to keep some good bugs around while you kill off the bad bugs, then your garden will be a happier place.  

Lady Bugs= Good

Squash bugs= Bad

My husband decided we needed to put some rubber snakes in garden in deter the birds.  I really am not sure if the snakes were the reason, but I did't have any problems with birds pecking my veggies.  It's also great to scare all your relatives who comes over to check out your garden.

Dogs...I highly recommend them. My rat terriers are great at keeping squirrels and rabbits away.  Plus they don't dig nor do they care to eat my veggies.  Nothing gets past these security guards.

Sevin Dust- I recommend it.  This was about the only thing that saved my squash plants from being carried away by the squash bug infestation.  It was a constant battle, but I think I finally won.

 Flowers are great to attract pollinators.  I planted a few petunia plants here and there and it did the trick.  Next year I plan on setting out marigolds as well.  I have read they have numerous benefits for the garden so I'll try it out and let you know.

My composter is making some fine compost, however, I haven't used much yet.  I just keep adding to it so I should have a full load to start the spring with next year.  We have already discussed expanding our garden next year.  I'm also looking into how to can foods and maybe next year I can have some posts on what I learn about preserving.

It Looks Like A Real Garden

Well, I'm patting myself on the back this week as I admire all the rewards of my labor.  Everything has grown to my expectations and some have even surpassed.

 Lettuce and carrots are doing well.  Dug a carrot up just to see if it was growing and it was!  I guess I just didn't believe it and had to see it for myself!

Pumpkin!!!!

A fake snake helps keep the birds away....

or at least for now until they figure out he hasn't moved in a week.

Squash is doing super...bountiful bounty!

Corn is growing well...this was unexpected.  I can't wait to pick some ears.

Fuzzy top means there is corn in the future!

Green zucchini is slow, but still prospering.

 I had to replant my okra seeds because the first seeds I planted did not come up.  I suppose it was a bit too early.  These are coming up strong and I've put my metal baskets around them in preparation of the expected huge growth.  These help keep them upright in the Oklahoma Winds.

Not many green beans yet, but I've spotted a few which gives me hope.

Lettuce has done great.  Keeps growing and growing and growing!

Tiny Renters

I had to post a quick update to share with you a pic of some tiny renters that have moved in.  A Killdeer bird has decided to make a nest in my lettuce.  As much of a mistake it is to probably let her stay, I can't imagine kicking them out.  In fact, I welcome these critters...gives me something else to watch grow.

Speaking of growing...check out my tomatoes...looking good.

Squash is almost ready to pick!  I'm so excited.

My Zucchini is finally showing up to the party.  Interesting that the yellow squash grows twice as fast as the green.  Maybe I need to compost and help it out.  

More later...I wouldn't want to let my 1 follower down and not give regular updates.

Veggies on the Horizon

Summer is finally starting to heat up and the Cold Frame has been cleared out of all seeds.  During the remainder of the summer, I will use it as a storage area for hand shovels and other gardening items.  


I also had a little incident with the lid and it is currently being repaired.  I had it propped open to relieve the heat off the seeds and a big storm blew through in the night and lifted the lid up and it crashed down messing up the wood around the glass panes.  My handyman is reviewing the damage on it to see what can be done to heal the injury.

The garden is finally coming to life.  When I put my tomatoes in the ground I put an old can around each of them to protect them from the wind.  Fortunately, the lady behind me works at the elementary school and was able to get me numerous cans from the school cafeteria.  She even cut the bottoms out for me! I also was able to get these metal cages to go around them from a family friend.  It's always nice to get new things for the garden, but what's better is the stuff you get for free.

I'm really excited that my pumpkins are doing so well.  This one grew a vine overnight!  It really likes the heat and after a couple hot days, it has started to take off.

The green beans are doing pretty good.  

I'll feel better about them once they start to climb.

My peppers were looking pretty sad, so I went ahead and bout a six pack of some pepper plants at Lowes.  Better to be safe then sorry.

The squash is doing great.  I have numerous squash coming out and should be ready to pick in a week or so.

The corn is coming up and I have no clue what to do with this yet.  The current plan is to watch and wait.

One problem I've been dealing with is the weeds and grass sprigs.  I sprayed last year and thought I killed all the grass but it's still trying to come back. As the sprigs come up, I'm blasting them with round up.  I expect next year to be much easier once I get all the weeds and grass out for good.  

The lettuce has done well and for the first time this year, I'm going to pull some and eat it!

All this work has made me hungry.