We begin with beauty, which Nature is always abundantly revealing.
Here at 7800 ft. altitude, the season has shifted from the scorching heat of climate change experienced everywhere to something more accommodating to plants, animals, and people. Sun is waning, night temperatures cooling and bringing relief, and day temperatures in a range that tomatoes can make flowers and thus set fruit. Setting fruit in the end of August? Yup. So, now one has to communicate with each tomato plant as one judicially prunes what simply won’t have time to mature while encourage every flower to fruit that just might make it. Temperatures being what they have been and are predicted to be, a frost is unlikely for at least another month, with actually into October being looked for. We’ll all take it! Some rain would be nice also.
Riddle me this
Look at these three photos. All are the same type of Kabocha winter squash. They all received the same care and irrigation, then why the significant differences in their health and well-being?
Soil depth.
The new beds along the driveway are barely 10″ of soil, excellent compost-soil mix as it might be. The roots of the plants couldn’t stay cool in the scorching, long days, nor could that amount of soil stay moist enough at root level. This required daily watering on top of the night soaker hose irrigation; and it still was inadequate because of soil depth.
The thriving beds of squash have over 2 1/2 ft of soil. The Kabocha plants (3 only) were transplants and, yet, they are over-the-top happy and producing many squash.
The middle photo is of the sangha that the transplants came from. What is the issue here? Placement of the plants. The water ran off this edge of a long bed. The squash could not retain it. Gardening is constant learning.
So, late this Fall, all beds that need it will be built up to a height of no less that 18″ of soil depth and filled with composted soil, then mulched for the winter. The simple, yet functional wood construction will include the capability to hang shade cloth on each bed. (I use cheap curtain sheers.)
What did well?
- the lettuce planted or seeded in April. Their seeds have been kept.
- sugar snap peas, bush and climbing. All are now being let go to seed.
- green and rattlesnake climbing beans. Six quart bags of cut, blanched beans are in the freezer. The stand is now going to seed.
- the winter squash in the right places. Adjustments are planned.
- marigolds and calendula, chamomile, too. Seeds being kept.
- and the surprise of the season is the raspberry patch. Due to adequate ground watering and a cooling afternoon sprinkle, the patch expanded and berries are coming. No abundance because raspberries take time, but a smile of flavor every other day right now!
Wishing you insights from your gardening season, and well-thought adjustments for next year. The video is of wild oregano in flower. The pollinators are teeny and barely visible, yet their multitude makes a hum. You might here it. Sugar flies visit for nectar, also.
