Weather & Conditions
The temperature has dropped, but the humidity is so high it still feels well into the 90s °F. Low 75, High 87. I got to the Pickle Patch before sun‑up to do the baking soda spray on the basil plants. After I got halfway through, I realized I didn’t put the vegetable oil in so it would adhere. Last year with the light spraying of basil I didn’t put it in either, so I guess no harm.
Pumpkins & Peppers
The pumpkin transplants look good, so I took down the screens. I noticed a pepper plant wilting, so I’m trying to see if putting the screen over it will help. If not, then it’s something else going on. Last year, all of a sudden I would lose some pepper plants.
Tomato Transplants & Marigolds
I forgot to take photos of the new tomato transplants, but I did take pictures of what my before‑planting setup looked like covered with the plastic and boxes. I also transplanted French dwarf marigolds in between them — I dug them out so I could till the beds. I relocated them because they were in front of the tomatoes before, but now I’m thinking the front is prime planting space for fall beets and maybe garlic.
Back 40 Work & Mound Prep
After that, I used both tillers to do the Back 40 and mounded five spots for Wednesday planting. As a precaution, I covered the mounds with plastic and cardboard since we’re supposed to get spotty showers for the next few days.
Planting Recipe & SuperThrive
I changed my planting recipe again: 1 cup Black Kow, 1/2 cup compost, 1/2 cup black leaf compost, 1 tsp gypsum, 1/2 tsp bone meal, 1/2 tsp finely ground eggshells, 1/2 tsp kelp meal, 1/4 cup Expert Organic 4‑4‑4, sprinkle the hole with mycorrhizae and cinnamon. Once planted, I remembered I have SuperThrive and gave the tomatoes a drink with this dilution: 1/4 tsp per gallon.
Giving Monday
I gave the gardener I’ve been helping two tomato plants — Rio Grande (Roma type) and false Big Beef Plus (golf‑ball‑size tomatoes). I also gave Gerald four tomato plants — Gardener’s Delight (cherry) and false Big Beef Plus, since he has given me a lot of his tomatoes (Big Beef Plus).
Gerald said he is going to do things differently next year, as he planted 60 Big Beef Plus all at the same time and now there are too many for him to keep up with and they are rotting on the vines.
While there, I picked some boxes of tomatoes for my family, Rudy, and the church pantry drive‑thru.
Squash & Insect Sightings
While doing my last chore before leaving — harvesting — I noticed a couple of things. I have one squash plant that is supposed to be yellow squash, but I think it is a hybrid. The bottom quarter is a light green and the top portion is yellow. Every single fruit is like this on this plant. I Googled it and it could be a Zephyr. (show photos)
While checking out the squash, I noticed a blue insect on the summer squash plant. Google Identified it as a Black Soldier Fly. It is expert at composting. I bet it is heading to my Amish compost piles.
Harvesting
I picked two eggplants and one yellow squash, which I put into Rudy’s box along with the okra. I picked some more pickling cucumbers and hope to have time tomorrow to process them. At least I am ready this time with the fresh dill heads.
Spraying Plans
Tomorrow is document day — not sure if I will go spray, as they are calling for rain tomorrow at noon. The copper fungicide needs 12 hours to fully adhere. I don’t want to waste my time or have to reapply it the next day, especially since Wednesday is planting tomatoes again and with this heat I need to use my time wisely.
Looking Ahead
On Wednesday, when I plant the tomatoes in the five holes I prepared, that will be the halfway point. I decided not to put the chopped leaves and pine needles down, as they might be the cause of why my other transplants got septoria so quickly. I am thinking of buying straw.