Here are some photos from the week. Not much of a harvest but we did
have a couple more cucumbers (not nearly as many as I would like) and
some more tomatoes. Its ironic that the one tomato plant on my balcony
is producing more tomatoes than the 6 plants in the garden. The fall
crop is also making some nice progress. The beans are growing fast and
carrots are about an inch tall now.
I picked a few tomatos at the garden today and my first cucumber of the season. Bad news - the cuke was half eaten. Hopefully there will be more (un-eaten) of these to come.
My strategy this year was to plant mostly yellow tomato varieties to keep passers-by from harvesting. This strategy has been pretty successful thus far. However I have been forced to pick much too many green tomatos as someone (or something) has been chewing or cutting off the stems from the bottom. The most likely culprints are mice or cut worms. I will try to put some dish soap in the water next time I water them as an nature pesticide. Also, I noted the lines at the top of the tomatos which are most likely from irregular watering, but should not affect the taste.
Now that we are in August, some of you (like me) are probably wondering where your summer has gone as you realize that the time for gardening left is limited. But, there is good news! There is still enough time to get lots more out of your garden this year. 
In a quick trip to the garden, I managed to water the plants as well as pick a few tomatos. I am also most excited that there will soon be cucumbers to pick. Sadly most of my cucumber bushes did not make it and I only have about 6 going right now. |
| Begonia 8.2.14 |
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| Yellow Pear Tomatoes 8.2.14 |
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| Last Pea Plant 8.2.14 |
OK - I admit it. Given all the renovations at home, I neglected to visit the garden for over two weeks. Today when I finally arrived, I found four large fatty rabbits on my lot. Dinner anyone?
At least now I know that I have my work cut out for me for the weekend. Nonetheless, the garden did keep going and growing even without me. I found a baby green pepper on the pepper plant. The tomato plants doubled in size. The Lilly is almost in bloom.
Over the years I have learned a great deal (mostly through trial and error) about how to successfully germinate seeds. Notably, my method over the years has come to vary based on the type of seed / plant I am working with. Below are some general guidelines that I have found helpful.| VARIETY | SOIL TEMP | # DAYS TO GERMINATE |
| Bean, lima | 85 degrees F | 7 to 10 days |
| Bean, snap | 75 to 80 degrees F | 7 days |
| Beet | 75 degrees F | 7 to 14 days |
| Broccoli | 65 to 75 degrees F | 5 to 10 days |
| Brussels sprout | 68 to 75 degrees F | 5 to 10 days |
| Cabbage | 68 to 75 degrees F | 5 to 10 days |
| Cantaloupe | 80 to 85 degrees F | 5 to 10 days |
| Carrot | 75 degrees F | 12 to 15 days |
| Cauliflower | 65 to 75 degrees F | 5 to 10 days |
| Celery | 70 to 75 degrees F | 10 to 14 days |
| Collard | 70 to 75 degrees F | 5 to 10 days |
| Corn | 75 to 85 degrees F | 7-10 days |
| Cucumber | 70 to 85 degrees F | 7 to 10 days |
| Eggplant | 75 to 85 degrees F | 10 to 12 days |
| Endive | 70 to 75 degrees F | 10 to 14 days |
| Kale | 70 to 75 degrees F | 5 to 10 days |
| Kohlrabi | 70 to 75 degrees F | 5 to 10 days |
| Lettuce | 65 to 70 degrees F | 7 to 10 days |
| Melon | 80 to 85 degrees F | 5 to 10 days |
| Mustard Greens | 70 degrees F | 5 to 10 days |
| Okra | 80 to 85 degrees F | 7 to 14 days |
| Onion, bulbing | 70 to 75 degrees F | 10 to 14 days |
| Onion, bunching | 60 to 70 degrees F | 10 to 14 days |
| Parsnip | 70 degrees F | 14 to 21 days |
| Pea | 65 to 70 degrees F | 7 to 14 days |
| Pepper | 78 to 85 degrees F | 10 to 14 days |
| Pumpkin | 70 to 75 degrees F | 7 to 10 days |
| Radish | 65 to 70 degrees F | 5 to 7 days |
| Rutabaga | 65 to 70 degrees F | 7 to 15 days |
| Spinach | 70 degrees F | 7 to 14 days |
| Spinach, New Zealand | 75 degrees F | 10 to 15 days |
| Squash, Summer | 75 to 85 degrees F | 7 to 14 days |
| Squash, Winter | 75 to 80 degrees F | 7 to 14 days |
| Swiss Chard | 70 to 75 degrees F | 7 to 14 days |
| Tomato | 75 to 80 degrees F | 7 to 14 days |
| Turnip | 65 to 70 degrees F | 7 to 14 days |
| Watermelon | 75 to 85 degrees F | 7 to 14 days |
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| Dismembered Tomato 5.12.14 |
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| Dismembered Plants 5.12.14 |
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| Plot 5.12.14 |
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| Tristan Strawberry Flower 5.12.14 |
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| Lettuce transplanted 5.12.14 |
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| 2014 Cucumber Variety |
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| 2014 Cucumber Variety |
It's been a busy weekend in the garden. I tilled the tomato row and covered it with a new black cloth as well as planter the first four tomato plants. I got these as a steal for $2 each at home depot. Now I just have to keep my fingers crossed that I did not plant these out too early.  |
| Thai Basil (community plot) 5.5.14 |
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| Oriental Lily Bulb (planted 4/27/14) |
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| Newly planted Tristan (pink flower) Strawberries 5/5/14. |
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| Peas on Patio 5.5.14 |
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| Patio Thai Basil |
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| Chives on Patio |
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| Home Depot Tomato Plants 5.5.14 |
Huzzah! This is the first flower I've seen this year. I'm not quite sure when this was planted, but I'm guessing it's been at least 2 months. This flower is an amaryllis but I'm not sure what variety. I'm also excited to go back to the garden and am just hoping that the daffodils are now blooming.
Not much here right now. It's kind of sad to see my patio so empty. I'm very excited for the daffodils, tulips, and crocus to start blooming. I did find that the tulips we're getting a head start.
These are leftovers from the daffodil bulbs planted in the fall. I am curious to see if they make any progress in water. Keep in mind that they have not been exposed to the required extreme cold.
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