Learning Plot & Morning Rounds
Another partly cloudy day, but we had about 1/3 of an inch of rain yesterday afternoon and it feels very humid today. L 72F H 88F. As I drove into the gardens I stopped at the Learning Plot and just checked on it as I didn’t need to water today. I spied one cucumber that germinated in one hill. I expect to see more popping up by tomorrow. The plant with the purple leaves seems better, at least it is not getting worse. All the plants look better since I sprayed them with copper fungicide. I think my new regime will be spraying this once a week at the lowest dose until I don’t see anything or our humidity decreases to a safe level.
General Garden Work
I moved onto my 3 amigos—PP, B40 and RRR. I checked my rain gauge and yes we had 1/3 of an inch. The first thing I did was start picking. I picked cucumber, okra and I worked on the tomatillos and took off all the wormed ones and picked some good ones. I observed that out of 10 plants 6 had fruit on them and the other 4 had no fruit. I wonder why. My April planted tomatoes are almost played out, but I have my new ones that I am not going anywhere and can devote on growing them right this time and the fall ones too.
Today I decided to get McDonald’s for breakfast. I think the hot coffee was a mistake as that made me get overheated and feel terrible. I also brought my hydration drink and snack foods—banana, salted pistachios and some strawberries and blueberries. Maybe I was feeling terrible because I have also been coming every day and I look forward to a day off tomorrow (Thursday) to recharge for early Friday.
Mulch & Box Work
I finished putting a second layer of boxes and grass in the squash and watermelon area because I didn’t know nut grass would punch through, but it did and I want to nip it in the bud. As you can see I am finished, and you can also see my cooling cape made out of a pillowcase. My sister came up with this last year and it works. I like to wet it to have a cool neck and back.
For boxing I use brown corrugated boxes and I don’t use any white, fully colored boxes, shiny boxes, pizza boxes or cereal boxes. I remove all tape and staples. The writing is okay as it is soy‑based ink. I use my blade to cut the boxes to the size to fit.
Amish Compost Layer
The last thing I did was complete another Amish compost layer—greens, which is all the bad veggies I find while picking, and I have some gardeners bringing theirs too. Then I cover it with browns—brown paper, cardboard bits, and leaves. I watered it to keep it like a wet sponge. This one is a no‑turn pile and is layered like a lasagna. The whole idea is that the worms, bacteria, and other organisms work through the pile on their own. This is not a fast compost pile and I don’t use a thermometer for the heat. According to the video I watched on YouTube, this one takes about 6 months to a year to finish. The Amish method fits me because I don’t need to add any more chores, and the simple layering is easy.
Nancy’s To‑Do List
I take a few off the list but more goes on.
- Feed ginger plants
- Sort tomato cages
- Keep 28 cages for next year
- Spray tomatillos Friday with BT
- Maybe spray copper fungicide on tomatoes again as it might have washed off from another afternoon rain
- Prepare new tomato holes with the 12- inch tiller
- Continue to harden off tomatoes Give 8‑24‑24 to flowering producing veggies.
Even though I am taking a day off I still have plant stuff and a dental for a loose filling. Oh joy!