The lettuce is bolting and the bitterness makes it inedible. But it was a great run, one of the best salad greens stretch ever! Root crops are also finishing, the beets will be the last to open space to plant something else. The best greens came from the All Star Gourmet mix which had butter heads and romaine. Very leafy, it gives a long run with early harvest and a good run in early heat. The first to turn bitter for me were Alboreto baby leaf (clearly labeled for early small leaf harvests), and Lollo (heirloom variety).
The question comes up a lot, what do you put in the space that cool crops leave as they finish? Sweet potatoes, bush beans, a second crop of corn, or flowers; zinnias, sunflowers, annual scabiosa, even eucalyptus (surprisingly easy from seed). These guys all like it hot, just be ready to water.
The mini wet meadow is incredible. There has been no appreciable rain for a month, so I have had to supplement. Planted only 2 years ago, I am in awe of how it has matured. I have set a chair next to it for entertainment, always in motion, even the sound is amazing as a constant buzzing.
Sadly, I have only seen 2 monarch butterflies despite the fact that I have plenty for them to eat and nectar on. My very large front meadow is for dry, upland plants and it's oh so dry. I dribble water on new plants and am amazed how they are even alive since many were put in and then the rain stopped. Certainly not for wussy plants, time will reveal who can take it!
Lastly, I have purchased a pass for Monticello which is only a few minutes' drive from my house. This allows me to go as often as I like. Between the vegetable garden and flower beds around the house, it's a real treat! So here's just a few photographs from my last visit, there will be many more.
Heirloom blue peas.
and my trail cam took a picture of me strolling the gardens in my PJs.
Send rain.
Comments