In With Summer Out With Winter

Things are finally looking normal in Northern California.  We're having upper 80's low 90's and I couldn't be happier (Not that I don't reserve the right to complain about the heat in a couple of weeks).  I spent the weekend digging up my long over due cool weather spinach and chard and planting more summer fare.

The poor struggling Pinapple, Siox and Kellogg Breakfast tomatoes are finally happy and have grown in leaps and bounds.  This year instead of tying the plants to an overhead trellis, I decided to trellis them against the garden fence with twine and velcro. So far so good, the real test will be when those babies get heavy with 2 lb. fruit and the winds start whipping.

 I also noticed that we had our first little 'mator of the season on the Siox.

Now none of this would be possible without the activity of our little friendly pollinators.  We are lucky enough to live across the street from a local orchard that also keeps bees.  Now that the weather is where it should be, our yard is literally buzzing with activity (get it buzzing?).  Any how this weekend was especially active in the garden and I thought I'd give you a peek.

I thought I'd try my hand at growing winter squash this year. I usually have stayed away from winter squash and melons since they are such space hogs, but I thought what the heck when I saw the plants at my local nursery.  I figured I'd try growing them vertically and see how it turned out.  I only bought two plants so I figured this little structure would do it.

This Weekend's Harvest

Green Beans

Broccoli

Strawberries

Yellow Pear Squash

It's time to let the summer veggie recipes flow.  With all the abundant good things growing, I try to cook them all. I always end up taking bundles to the office for everyone else as well.  So, as I come up with good recipes for garden produce I will begin to share them with you as well.

On the organic front I am still going strong, I haven't had too much trouble with the garden pests.  I've been having snail stomp fests and beetle squashing session, but nothing overwheling yet.  I have noticed some little munching happening on the green bean leaves, but I'll be watching closely to any signs of a hostile take over.  The pups are still holding down the fort to keep any 4 legged or winged culprits after our prizes.

Now on the other hand we are fighting a losing battle with the local mole that's been torchering my lawn for the last year.  The smelly things you drop in the holes haven't worked.  Watering the lawn hasn't succeeded in doing anything but stressing the grass out.  So if anyone has any ideas that won't harm the dogs I'm all ears.