Harvest Monday

There was much more to the harvest this week, but the only picture was of the first squash of the year.  Here is 'Caserta' along with some mixed beans. 

Below is 'Honey Bear' sunflower flaunting it's first flowers.

The hurricanes outer bands actually reached this far inland.  We got some much needed rain and a few tropical storm force gusts.  The only casualties were the cosmos, but they always suffer from wind at this time of the year.

I hope all those affected were able to ride out the storm safely.

Harvest Monday is hosted by Daphne's Dandelions.

Butterflies and Zinnias

If you want to attract butterflies grow zinnias.  This has been a great year for both.

Above, a Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly.

Above,  and Atlantis Fritillary butterfly.  I'm not 100% sure of the identification for this one.

Above, a light yellow from 'Button Box Mixed' zinnia.

Above, a pink and white 'Whirligig' zinnia.

Above, 'Envy' and 'Oklahoma Salmon' zinnia.

Above, 'Oklahoma Ivory' zinnia.

Above, 'Senorita' zinnia.

Above, a light orange from 'Button Box Mixed'.

Harvest Monday

This weeks harvest is smaller thanks to the rain.  A few thunderstorms and the tomatoes have been splitting for the first time this year.

Above, all dwarf tomatoes, 'Golden Dwarf Champion', 'New Big Dwarf' which is the large pink and 'Rozalinda'.

Above, the last of the 'Gonzales' cabbage, a chocolate and and orange  bell pepper, 'Victor','Black Cherry' and 'Snowberry' tomatoes, 'Tennessee Spice' peppers and 'Slenderette', 'Roc D'Or' and 'Velour' filet beans.

Above, a preview of next weeks harvest, 'Caserta' squash.

Above, 'Trionfo Violetto' pole bean flower.

Harvest Monday is hosted by Daphne's Dandelions.

Harvest Monday

Harvest Monday is hosted by Daphne's Dandelions.

This weeks harvest looks smaller, but was the largest yet.  The two bowls of 'Victor' tomatoes were given away before they could be photographed.  most other varieties should be slowing down soon.  The dwarf "tree" tomatoes set all at once and then can be removed once the harvest is finished.  The 'Ramapo OP' vine has engulfed half of the potager and will be removed soon even though there are still green tomatoes on it.  Only the cherry tomatoes will probably make it into fall.

Does the above look familiar, at least the late planted 'Snow Berry' cherries are ripening.

The peppers had to be picked even though they haven't turned yet.  Once they get half way turned, they are developing soft spots.  The 'Tennessee Spice' hot peppers are turning and will be dried and then ground up.

The late planted pole beans in the potager are blooming!  In a few weeks the tide should turn to beans instead of tomatoes.

Stink Bug Damage

When I first moved here in 2004 I had never heard of a Stink Bug.  The following year we started to notice a few large brownish beetle type bugs in the fall.  In 2007 we noticed that these bugs were everywhere and by fall they were out of control.  Windows could not be opened, the shady side of the house was crawling with them and you had to be extra careful opening a door that none would slip in the house.  The papers started printing stories and we found out that they were stink bugs, rapidly becoming the Kudzu of the insect world.

Last year was the first year that I noticed that they were damaging the tomatoes.  It was a bad tomato year to begin with and most of my small harvest had to be tossed.  This year the winter must have killed a lot of them as they have not been noticeable this summer.  I am now finding a few on the tomatoes and tomatoes with heavy foliage cover are showing a lot of damage.  Daphne tells me she uses the damaged fruits in tomato sauce.  I'm not that brave.

Below is a 'Ramapo OP' tomato showing the stink bug damage.  Even though I have tons of tomatoes, I'm not willing to share!  I wonder if chickens eat stink bugs...

Harvest Monday

Here is last weeks harvest.

Above, most of the tomato varieties are ripening.

Above, the larger flat tomatoes are 'New Big Dwarf', the smaller flat ones are 'Rozalinda' and the first of the 'Tennessee Spice' peppers. 

Above, and yet more tomatoes.  The bowl is filled with 'Victor', in the front from l to r are 'Black Cherry', 'New Big Dwarf' and 'Rozalinda'.

Above, eggplant and the first of the 'Ramapo Op' tomatoes, the 2 round reds.  The tomato in the middle front is a 'Victor' for size comparison.

Not pictured are 4 green peppers that were given away as well a lots of basil that was also given away.

I've also started to have to toss some of the tomatoes.  The stink bugs are finally starting to damage the fruits.  I'm hoping with the recent rains that they will bother something else.

Harvest Monday is hosted by Daphne's Dandelions. 

The Garden Late July- Part 2

The Driveway Bed

Some close ups of the driveway bed.  The gaps in the back row are from the falling bush tomatoes.

The bed is growing great- I need to figure out some way to expand it bit next year.  I also need to add a drip system next year.

To find out what's planted in it see here.

Harvest Monday

A large plate of 'Victor' tomatoes with the first 'Black Cherry' and the first 'New Big Dwarf'.  When these were brought in one of my cousins asked who was going to be eating all these tomatoes.  I just smiled, he'll find out how many ways they can be used aside from topping a salad.

This eggplant weighs well over 1 lb.

The peppers are getting larger too.

More black tomatoes, 'Black Sea Man' and 'Black Cherry'. Unfortunately this is not a good year for 'Black Sea Man'.  Two were planted and one promptly died.  Now the remaining plant is dying and I have no idea why.  It is not alone, I'm losing the 'Burpee Table Talk' that are planted next to it.  The leaves and stems are clean from any sort of spots or blight, they are just yellowing and drying up.

I'll still have more than enough tomatoes since the others are fruiting like mad.

Harvest Monday is hosted by Daphne's Dandelions.