I believe I have mentioned that I am full of pessimism about the prospects for a garden this summer. Watering restrictions are severe and the last I heard, summer drought conditions are expected to prevail once again. My children are involved in many activities this spring and there just isn't much margin for the garden, so we are keeping it to a minimum. However, the weeds are far too willing to take over, so I am spending what time I can to get a few plants in and attempting to keep the weeds from ruling the world.
Last week, we made a stop at our favorite nursery, North Haven Gardens. Yesterday was my first opportunity to get the plants in. I have never seriously attempted cucumbers, but I put 6 plants and three different varieties of cucumbers in the ground. Also in are 3 tomato plants and several summer squash plants-mostly zucchini, but also one flying saucer variety. I noticed that I have self-seeded basil beginning to pop up and some malabar spinach sprouting as well.
I have attempted many different trellis options, most using bamboo and none all that strong or permanent. We shall see how this year's experiment goes. We were doing a little spring cleaning in the yard and the swing that was severely damaged by last year's hail was headed to the curb for bulk trash day when one of the kids suggested that we should use it in the garden. Low and behold it fits nearly perfectly around my raised beds! I wire-tied a trellis/net around it and it appears we might be in business. Our green juicing operations would certainly appreciate some nice organic, homegrown cukes!!
The blackberry plants are in full bloom. They seem a bit skimpy this year and I am thinking that maybe last year's hail did more damage than I realized? However, they are tossing up new plants left and right so if I let them, they will be in a decent competition with the weeds for who shall rule the roost! I love using that phrase having witnessed exactly what ruling the roost entails. Our new chicks are in quite the battle over who will rule. But, back to the blackberries, I am digging up new plants every time I am out there, so local friends, let me know if you would like one.
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