Corn update

It's still growing nicely, and is the tallest in the county. With 3 separate plantings throughout the landscape, there are 97 stalks in all. That's alot of peaches and cream for the freezer later.....

Old compost system

I spent a little time over the weekend fixing up the old compost bin system that had almost fallen apart from 4 years of prior use. A few boards replaced here and there - might just allow another composting cycle to be processed before having to replace the pallets.

First time for apples

The apple trees are in their 4th year now, I think - and will finally produce a crop, it appears. Nothing remarkable - maybe around 20 or so fruit in all. But hey - that's a big deal to me.......Anyway,  here's one of them forming.....

The squash

The main squash section is doing pretty good, and tomato baskets have already been put in place to keep them in check. No bugs yet thankfully, and it'll be quite some time before any show up.

Cucumbers

They've began running finally,  and I've started helping the tendrils make their way to the wire baskets so that vertical growth can take place.

The onions to the left are also beginning to flower, and will be harvested very soon. Sadly, no nice bulbs have formed - despite the fact that heavy applications of nitrogen have taken place over the past month.

One compost pile

It's taken 6 months and constant attention, but the contents of two large compost systems is now contained within one.

Before mounding this pile over, it was packed very tightly and watered well over the previous month.

Next spring, this will be about 200 cubic feet of completely finished compost that should last me between 3-5 years in the garden. Now, I can finally rebuild the other bins......Yay!

There will be peaches

I planted a couple of peach trees last year, and would you ever guess that they're producing fruit in their 2nd year? I sure wouldn't..... But, it's the truth. Oh well, I'll take anything I can get.

Fireblight on a pear tree

It shows up every year - usually on one tree, and only a single branch. However, this time it's on several branches of the same tree. The only problem is - it's the tree that actually had pollination occur, which means that the disease will need to be left for the entire year If I want any pears......

Man, a massive pruning will take place next February - unlike any that has been seen before on the property. Oh well......gotta do it.

Different look

Got fixed up to go out for dinner and took a self -portrait.  Hey, I don't look like a backwoods redneck all the time. :)

Beating the elements

The temperature read 31 this morning when I awoke, but thankfully The protection provided last night for the garden kept everything alive and well. Here are the cucumbers.......

Jude and her frisbee

That dog sure does love it, and one only has to hold it above her head to see the anticipation in her eyes in hopes that it'll be thrown into the air. She's my girl......

Rooting sweet potato slips

I took the opportunity to root a bunch of sweet potato slips today in some moist soil,  then promptly carried them indoors. I normally keep them outside during this phase, but it's gonna be 32 degrees tomorrow night. I'll likely lose every squash, cucumber, and melon plant in the garden.  :(

Cold snap on the way

Just as I figured, mother nature isn't finished with cold nights yet. It's gonna be 36 degrees tomorrow night, and most of the cucurbits such as the squash in the photo above will likely perish, I figure. Backup seeds have been planted beside them, and III new way or another things will get back on track again.

In other news, my brother has started a gardening blog and I hope that you will check it out. The link is http://southcarolinahumuinic.blogspot.com .

Back from camping

If you've missed me, I've been on vacation camping at one of the beautiful lakes by where I live. In all, I caught and cooked 40 of these largemouth bass that were so good.....Anyway, it's good to be back.

The main squash section

With upside down tomato baskets in place - ready to keep the unruly plants in their 2ft x 2ft alotted space, this section of squash will be engulfed with growth in a few weeks.Watermelon seedlings at each end should beginning attaching themselves to their respective trellises in upcoming weeks too.....