August 30, 2011

Sorry, No Jerry Lewis Telethon for Me

I have so much to do. I usually consider Labor Day as a real LABOR WEEKEND. A three day weeding, mowing, planting and hoping marathon. I am really behind with lot's of it!

This weekend I am hoping I can get some of my broccoli and cauliflower transplanted. It should have been done 3 weeks ago, but the plants weren't ready and with triple digit heat, I couldn't make myself do it. SO, we will go with plan B. Transplant them inside one of the hoop buildings instead of outside. I hope it works.

I already have 1,100 square feet of carrots started. They aren't as thick as I would like, however the weeds are really trying to make a go of it. MUST WEED if I want anything.

The peppers are coming out way early. They were a complete bust. Between getting them in probably too early, aphid problem and then record heat. I wrote most of them off and gave up. I kept watering them, but weeding went to the way side. I am going to rip them out along with the weeds and get ready for spinach. Probably not plant it, but get it ready to go.

I have 1400-1500 plants started in the basement to go out, but not until it cools off some. Maybe next week.

However, I do have some fall projects taking off. I have a late fall planting of tomatoes going well. I hope to be picking a few by Sept 20-25th.

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A fall planting of zucchini is going nuts. I was hoping to start harvesting it by September 15th. I started picking on the 28th of August, 50 pounds first picking. Exactly 30 days after planting the seeds. I am amazed what a hoop house can help you do!

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I am trying out some new varieties of Tumbling Tomatoes in hanging baskets for next year. This was a last minute thing. Last minute being early July. They will be ready late October. I should be able to keep them going until mid November without much problem.

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I have two 40 foot beds of Radishes and Turnips. The radishes are getting close, but they are a little spicy.

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The Okra is going crazy. I am picking about 20 pounds each picking. I pick it every 2 days or 3 days a week.

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Winter squash is going well. We have lots to pick, but the vines are starting to die. It has been dry and hot. It doesn't seem to matter how much water we put out, they are just slowing down.

We harvested these two little cuties this week. They aren't quite ready, but they are close. The one on the left is a Sweet Dumpling and the one on the right is Delictia.

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This was from a few weeks ago.

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The velvet leaf has started back, I am giving up on it and just focused on water and harvest.

Sweet potatoes are doing well. We have been digging them for two weeks now and they are selling great. We started to dig the Georgia Jets. They can get really big and they crack a lot, if not careful.

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We started some spinach and lettuce outside. They are growing, but grasshoppers love spinach. They leave the lettuce alone for the most part. I am going to have to replant the spinach, but I knew that might happen. I didn't get it covered in time, oops!

Still need to get out, Napa Cabbage, Green Cabbage, Red Cabbage, Green Kale, Red Kale, Spinach, Green onions, Bok Choy, Flat leaf Parsly, Cilantro, Romaine lettuce, 7 other types of lettuce, Swiss Chard, Tatsoi, Radishes, Turnips and maybe some Arugula.

Here is to a busy labor day.
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August 14, 2011

Winter Squash, Update

Today I was able to get to Abilene and get some much needed weeding done. I use the term "Weeding" very lightly, more like thinning. I know there are going to be weeds, I am ok with this. I am just trying to reduce the number of weeds by 75% or more.

So, I thought I would share some pictures to tell the story.

BEFORE
Before Weeding

AFTER a 4.5 hour weeding marathon.

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AFTER on the other side
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The squash is doing great. Lots of blooms and lots of squash are set on. Here are some pictures to give you an idea.

Acorn

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Butternut

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Spaghetti

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Delictica

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Sweet Dumpling

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I picked one Acorn squash, just to see how it is doing. The rind is hard and can't be punctured. I think it could use another week or two, but we will see.

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I hope to be picking the Spaghetti and Acorn by the end of August. The rest should be ready by mid to late September.


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