So I knew going on vacation would not be great for the garden. It was dry all 7 days and the squash bugs totally took over and killed my one zucchini and one crookneck squash. They are also threatening to kill my butternut squash plant that is small to begin with since I planted it very late! Before leaving I was doing a good job of squishing eggs and young bugs and collected a few zucchini to take on our trip. When I got home I found two pretty mature zucchini still on the plant but they were dying and becoming hollow. Too bad really :( We have been trying to give the tomatoes some TLC to nurse them back to better health. I finally netted to two outside the garden and the green tomatoes on them are looking good. There are a couple tomatoes in the garden, but since we didn't net those ones most of the tomatoes went to the squirrels. The foliage on them are beginning to come back, but I just don't know if we will get anything more from them. My green bean bed is making a come back and my carrots are also doing well. For the most part my baby radicchio are looking good and strong and will be ready for transplanting later this month. That is a positive note at least! I also planted more fennel and beets that are coming up strong. The radicchio, beets, and carrots were planted on July 11th. The peppers are beginning to produce and we have gotten one yellow (slightly taken over by something) and a nice red one. The jalepenos are also producing a ton and we are getting a steady stream of eggplants. How is your garden doing?
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| Picking Heriloom tomatoes early saved a few from the squirrels and the flavor is the same when ripe! |
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| 24 hours later....the Italian Heirloom. |
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| After vacation pickings (yellow pepper already eaten!) The basil is also doing great! |
Sorry you had losses while you were on vacation. Always tough to leave the garden in the heat of summer. I tend to pick tomatoes at first break of color and bring them into finish off as typically our night time temps are cool in the summer which does not make for fast ripening.
ReplyDeletelovely tomatoes; I have the Italian Heirloom this year for the first time. have really enjoyed it and can see why it's also recommended for a canner, nice and meaty. I bring mine in when they look like your second pick to save them from the birds.
ReplyDeleteFortunately for me, the squirrels are too timid to venture anywhere near our garden although some sort of burrowing critter continues to claim my veggie garden as its home. My jalapenos are just starting to produce....can't wait to get more of them to make salsa verde!
ReplyDeleteThe tomatoes look great. Dang squirrels. We are lucky to not have that problem in our area. And dang squash bugs!! You just can't leave them by themselves can you. Turn your back for 5 minutes and the gardens a mess. They're worse than the kids!! :)
ReplyDeleteHa Ha...yes they are worse than the kids! And the dogs can't get in the fence so definitely worse than them too! I think the italian heirloom is one of the best varieties out there!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the lost plants, but you still have nice and colorful harvest.
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