A Break in the Rain

Red Sweet Peppers and Eggplant 

The constant rain and cooler than normal temperatures have made Our First Vegetable Garden a bit of a challenge. While I didn't expect it to be easy to start my own seeds, harden and transplant successfully our very first year I WAS expecting an average Spring.

Above is a single bean sprout that germinated. Of the 10 that I planted, with the wet weather and my heavy clay soil this is the lone survivor. This Bush Bean sprout was direct seeded May 15th.

Goldtender Summer Squash planted in the garden May 24th. These I planted indoors April 28th and began to harden off May 15th.

Above: Black Beauty Summer Squash. I have 3 healthy transplants. These were seeded indoors April 28th. Began hardening off May 15th.

Above are Cipollini onions. I bought these from a local nursery and planted in the garden May 24th. It looks like they are ready for a trim!

Here is one of my Goldtender Summer Squash up close. The leaves had begun to yellow before transplanting into the garden. I was hoping a healthy dose of balanced complete organic fertilizer would help but all the rain has just weakened it further. It's looking like it may have fallen prey to Powdery Mildew.  I sprayed the leaves with a sesame seed oil spray yesterday and we are expecting a few drier days this weekend so I'm hoping it will get through it okay. If it worsens then I will have to toss it.

My own tomato seedlings haven't done very well. I still have one very small Beefsteak tomato seedling an several small cherry tomato seedlings but I will be pleasantly surprised if they manage to produce any fruit this year. So, I purchased a few replacements at a local nursery for $1.30 each. Not a bad price, eh? I chose several different types all of which, despite the stormy weather, are starting to blossom! In the center, in case you were wondering, is a Tomatillo plant. I still have one of my own seedlings that I refuse to give-up on but I purchased this one just in case.

 This part of the garden is sitting in wait for warmer, drier weather. This is where we will plant our melons, eggplant and peppers. While it looks like mostly weeds that have popped up since I tilled the soil earlier this spring do you see those two? I wonder what they are...Perhaps some sort of squash? Hummm? I guess this is what happens when you spread someone else's compost over your garden space.

Here my cherry tomatoes, melons, and green sweet pepper wait patiently for warmer weather.

I am keeping my eggplant and red sweet peppers outdoors now also but I am covering them when the temps are low and the days are super wet and blustery.

Yay for Cilantro!!!