~SUSTAINABLE LIVING FOR CHALLENGING TIMES

[sumisu]

GARDEN UPDATE 09 10 2015


I cannot believe that September is almost one-third over and autumn is right around the corner. The cooler temperatures will be welcomed, especially after two broken heat wave records this week [Tuesday, 96*F, 35.6*C; Wednesday, 92*F, 33.3*C] The latter are probably comfortable temperatures to my friends in the tropics.

The forecast: "Today - Scattered thunderstorms during the morning becoming more widespread this afternoon. High 78 °F (25.6*C). Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph (16.1 to 24.1 kph). Chance of rain 80%."

The sun behind clouds rose at 6:19AM and it will set at 7:04PM.

My east gardens look mostly green without anything growing until harvesting reveals much to be taken. Pictures are included of this area with two friends walking away with bags of veggies. [I received prepared food in return] These pictures only represent a sample of the harvest; many others were involved in harvesting.







I gambled on hot weather to allow me to plant tomato seedlings and long bean seeds in mid-July in recently harvested garlic beds; this succession planting, under right weather conditions, is worthwhile now and in the future.


EMERITE LONG BEANS GROWING NEXT TO TWO TRELLISES IN HARVESTED GARLIC BED [07 27 2015]











Any disappointments? Yes, two. I planted my onions three weeks too late thinking that the ground would still be frozen after a most frigid winter, but I did not account for the 112 inches of snow that offset this frigidity. In fact, the frost line was much more shallow than of many winters past. Also, I harvested a lot of fingerling potatoes, but this autumn I will dig up the potato patch to remove prior small roots left in the ground after harvest; at least I think that was my problem.

The bitter melon [bitter gourds or ampalaya] produced abundantly, as well as the Emerite long beans, which I highly recommend planting.

Autumn activities will center on adding more compost to existing raised beds, adding deeper raised beds in the west garden, since this area rests on a solid ledge, and in late October I will be planting garlic cloves for the 2016 harvest.

Thanks for reading.....