Perhaps my last post was a little...negative. A soil disease can make a girl cranky. I'm happy to report, however, that the heirloom tomatoes in the other beds are looking fairly happy and productive, and the tomato plants in the Grow Bags look healthy and lush.
I even harvested the first Blueberry tomato last week. Hooray!
The big success story of the summer, though, is the Three Sisters Garden.
I love when plants cooperate.
The corn is tall and tassly.
The six varieties of heirloom pole beans are winding their way up the corn, using it as a trellis--just as planned.
And the squash?
Well, I'm a little afraid that I'm cursing myself, but the squash is healthy. No squash vine borers. The flowering icicle radishes seem to be helping to keep the squash vine borers away. (Knock wood.)
I did spot two squash bugs this week, and in my vigilant daily search for eggs, I found two leaves with eggs on the underside, which I promptly squashed.
The Japanese beetles are throwing a party in the garden, and although they tend to swarm to the Virginia Creeper, I've spotted a few nibbling on the corn.
Into the bucket of water they go, where they'll later become chicken snacks.
Have I mentioned how much I despise Japanese beetles?
The good news is--my organic pest control works well, plus it's just so cute!
Overall, this week's garden is a happier place. While I'm still not seeing many pollinators, I did spot two bees on the cucumber blooms yesterday.
I think I actually jumped for joy.
The kitchen garden is beginning to produce, which makes a much happier me.
I just returned from Portland, Oregon, where I joined my garden blogger friends for four days of garden tours at the annual Garden Bloggers' Fling. It's such a great group of people, and I can't wait to share the gardens with you! Until I sort through my 2,000+ photos and can post properly about the gardens, check out the Garden Delights Facebook page, Instagram, and Twitter for a sneak-preview of the gardens.
How are your gardens growing this summer?
XOXO ~
Julie