I've been feeling guilty about how little time I've spent in the vegetable garden in the past month, but thank God it continues along without me. As long as I keep things watered, the plants just keep growing.
Spouse and Brix joined me for a photography session last night. As you can see, he still needs to be on a leash in the garden, otherwise I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have much of a garden left.
The weather has been very hot and sticky this month. So far this June we've had 8 days of 90 degrees or more, and today will be another one. That means the spring vegetables - only planted 2 months ago - are already finishing up. The snap peas, pictured at right, have yielded two meals. I think I'll get one more, but the plants have stopped flowering so I don't think I'll get anymore.
This year I planted Sugar Ann, from Johnny's Seeds. I really like the growth habit - they're about 24-36" tall - but the peas are not quite as sweet as old-fashioned Sugar Snap. However, I think I'll try a fall planting - maybe with a longer cool season they'll taste a bit sweeter. I'll write a full review in the next week or two, but overall I'm underwhelmed by Sugar Ann.
Below left are the potatoes, which are growing like gangbusters. They just started flowering this week. The middle photo shows the lettuce just before I cut some for dinner. I'm starting to taste just a bit of bitterness, which means the hot weather is starting to affect it. On the right is the garlic, doing just great. I've cut off and used all the scapes, so all that's left to do is wait for the leaves to start browning then - Yum - my own garlic!
Oh well, even if the spring veggies are starting to come to an end, there are always the summer crop coming along. On the left are the tomatoes, which have grown at least a foot since I planted them. In the middle are my self-watering pots, filled with peppers and a few garden huckleberry plants. I finally planted these up on Monday night. Hopefully they'll start catching up despite the slow start. On the right is the cucumber and zucchini bed. Last year I planted the cucumbers as seedlings, but this year I went back to planting the seeds directly in the beds. I didn't notice that last year's cukes were any earlier than ones I've direct-seeded in the past, so I figured I wouldn't take up valuable grow-light space for cucumber plants.
So, I'm off to my college 20-year reunion, with another weekend away from the garden. But this time, rather than working, I'll be sampling some of southern Minnesota's finest brews while spending time with some of the best friends a person could have. I'll take that any day!
Brix looks pretty "at home" already... but you're probably smart to keep him leashed in the garden!
The garden looks great, by the way. Hope you have a wonderful time at your 20 year reunion. :)
Posted by: Kim | June 17, 2007 at 12:35 AM
You're garden looks fantastic! Does someone water your garden when you go away or do you do what I do and hope for rain? :)
Posted by: Anthony | June 17, 2007 at 11:01 AM
Your gardens look great!
Posted by: kris | June 17, 2007 at 10:07 PM
The garden's looking awesome :-) Have fun at your reunion.
And, TAG....I've tagged you for a meme when you get a chance. Take a look at my blog for the rules.
Posted by: Colleen | June 21, 2007 at 08:23 AM
Thanks, everyone. I purposely posted mostly "long" shots, as the weeds are really inexcusable.
Kim - I had a great time at my reunion - I'm still catching up on sleep!
Colleen: I got your tag, and I'm working on my post - it's harder than I thought!
Posted by: Tracy | June 21, 2007 at 03:50 PM
I've stayed away from veggie gardens because I never can make them pretty, but your borders and cages are beautiful and an inspiration. Thanks!
Posted by: Wicked Gardener | June 21, 2007 at 08:47 PM
Wicked: Thanks very much, and thanks for visiting! I love my garden, but I think every vegetable garden is beautiful.
Posted by: Tracy | June 22, 2007 at 09:15 AM