July is Jumping

The rains that were absent without leave for most of June finally made an appearance in the final days of the month. And now we are (1) reaping the benefits and (2) paying the price. Ah, gardening...a double-edged trowel, to say the least.

First, a comparative series of photos, showing the progression over 6 months:

Box Garden in January, 2015

Box garden in the first week of May, 2015

Box garden in the first week of June, 2015

Box garden in the first week of July, 2015

As you can tell, the beans have taken over the tutuer in the Center Square. And with Mother Nature's moisture, the plants have begun to flower and produce again. Yay, rain! Of course, the wet conditions are perfect for supporting a growing Mexican bean beetle population. Boo, rain. And since I have been benched recently due to problems with my left foot (read more in the latest blog post. Click here to go there.), I haven't been able to keep on top of the pests, both weeds and insects. What a challenge!

Still, Mr. T has been stepping in (no pun intended) to keep things going. And our tomatoes are really going, and going, and going...

As you can tell, we are getting tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, okra, cukes, and zukes, as well as beans. The yellow squash are beginning to give, and the Lima beans are starting to put on. And we are excited about two ripening crops, that we can almost taste:

Fingers crossed we get to eat our watermelons and corn this year...and not the raccoons, as in years past. We noticed that a coon had visited our suet feeders this weekend, so in spite of the dogs we still have the critters in residence.

And it looks like the tomatoes are beginning to show fungal problems (late blight?), so we will need to use the "suckers" we have potted up and well-rooted as pinch hitters. Need to get them in the ground this weekend, though, as we are coming on the last date for transplanting tomatoes in the Piedmont — July 15th.

The pumpkins I seeded just before my foot problems began have germinated and are beginning to vine, as are the Georgia Rattlesnake watermelons. Mr. T sprayed the vines with Sevin to try to keep the squash bugs and squash vine borers in check; he also sprayed the newly forming corn ears to combat corn worms. Although I prefer organic pest solutions, I had to concede that these take time and a dedicated gardener in residence...and that he is doing his best to fill in while I'm on the DL. "Needs must," as they say across the pond.

The report from the Berry Patch isn't quite as good. Although we had what appeared to be a record crop of blackberries, we are actually seeing very few. The blackbirds seem to know the Head Gardener is currently unavailable, and they are making the best of a bad situation. Or a good one...from their perspective, I suppose. 

The Rose Garden is holding its own these days, with the Japanese beetles scoring significant victories, especially among the tender new buds. But Mr. T sprayed the bushes with Sevin again on Saturday, so we should see some control through the end of their season. 

'Pat Austin' rose

And the daylilies are putting on a show, albeit with smaller and fewer blooms than in years past. Chalk another one up to lack of rain in their formative period. 

Harem House, blooming for the first time

New Jersey Spider

South Seas, a variety we brought from Missouri

Here Comes Santa Claus (gotta love that name!)

So, even though my participation has been curtailed for the time being, things are moving right along in the gardens. Yes, one might even say the joint is jumping. In July. 

One might....