We
have tomato starts which are quite large and already have aggressive
roots. They are heirloom and Ace varieties, and both will produce
large, meaty tomatoes. They have out-grown their pots, and need to be
planted before the heat puts them in shock. They received a nice
watering yesterday, and again this morning, and
are resting in the shade on a nice bed of leaves behind the picnic
table.
This week we are asking for help on Wednesday morning,
5/28, to prep the long tomato row (south end of the garden along the
fence). It's been tilled and needs only a final weeding and to have the
sides shoveled up a bit.
Then, Wednesday night, we're asking all to come and help plant and water in the 35+ plants.
The
irrigation to the strawberries is not working again - so this weekend
we'll replace the timer and try to rescue those little beauties. We did
some hand watering on Sunday and will again each day this week to keep them healthy.
Harvesting
The onion harvest has begun in earnest...or, at least, in Copperopolis! (Sorry, couldn't help that!).
Carla
and Donnie will be in the garden this morning to pull the onions. If
you've time, before it gets hot, stop by and say hello. As with last
year, the majority of onions are targeted for the Copper Food Pantry but
feel free to stop by and take two for your personal use. The onions
with the 'seed balls' on top should not be pulled, as they will be our
source of seed for later this Fall.
The
bush beans are now coming in. Many of the plants are burdened with
maturing beans. These are stringless variety - and if we keep them
picked we will
continue to have a great harvest for many weeks. As with the onions,
we will pick early in the third week to give the beans to the Pantry for
distribution. But, in between this once-a-month sharing, we need to
keep those plants picked. We have green, yellow and purple varieties,
both heirloom and organic. Come visit - the bed is on the north side
of the garden just after the strawberries. These are 'bush beans', so
the plants are only 18" - 24" tall.
Looking Ahead
Next Crops
The
outside beds where we had squash and beans last year have mostly been
weeded, thanks to Carla,
Mike, Richard, Don and John. A little bit more prep work is needed,
and then we can get our zucchini, crook neck and spaghetti squash in the
ground. If any have starts, please let us know. If you are willing
to create starts, we have seed to share.
The Morning Glory
We
spoken with a variety of professional gardeners and the Ag Extension
people. Since we are organic, our choices to eradicating the morning
glory are as follows:
- Pull the plants whenever they appear
- Spray with vinegar and citric acid, wait for the die-back, and spray again when it re-emerges
- Cover the ground with clear plastic and hope to burn the weeds out.
Since
this weed is present in all the rows, we're going to try all three
approaches. The worst infestation is on the north half of the garden.
If you remember the
corn last year, it was overwhelmed by morning glory. Currently the
onions have done well, but the week is in the beds and in-between.
After
the onions are pulled, we will spray the weeds and then cover with
plastic. It is our hope the hot Copperopolis summer will be a tool.
When the bush beans are done for the year, we will also cover that row.
So,
planting will be limited to the outside beds and the south half of the
garden until the Fall. Then, with luck, we can till the north half and
plant cool-weather crops in the late summer/fall.
In Closing...
Let
us know if you have any suggestions, ideas, or 'secret remedies' to
help out. We didn't plant corn this year (water conservation) but we
are still, um, all ears! (yeah, I gotta drink some tea or coffee before
I write these notes)!
May
your Memorial Day find you close to family members. Our grateful
memory also to all those who died while in military service.
Richard and George