All right, it has been quite a while since the last update.

Here's the scoop.  The summer has turned out to be a lot more busy than I had originally planned.  Work, work, and other stuff.  I just got back from North Dakota where I spent a week seeing friends.  From everything I see, the garden is just the same, just needing water.

On July 4 we took the last cutting of asparagus.  This was a great year as we were able to share with friends and neighbors, put about 10 #'s in the freezer, and still eat more than most people do in a year.  The 10 weeks we are able to have fresh asparagus are probably the best time of the year for the garden.  We did take 7 #'s to my nephew's wedding over the Memorial Day weekend.  It was truely appreciated by all.  Right now we are watering and weeding the 4 beds, and will put down lots of compost, probably tomorrow.

On the sugar snap pea front, we have finished 3 of the 4 first plantings.  Only thing that I didn't do enough of was to offer good support for the 6' vines.  We still have the 4th planting to go and expect to be picking in another week.  The 5th planting of Sugar Snap is already up in a 8' row.  The 6th planting just went in the row next to it this afternoon between rain showers.  Given enough time, we should have some great final pickings.  And yes, I did put in cattle panels for the vines to grow on.

I dug the garlic on July 11.  It is all tied up in the attic drying.  Great crop!.  Harvested almost 200 heads.  I think everyone that I planted grew.  The beds were turned under and 1 went to peas, and the other went to fall broccoli.  Probably will cut back next year to only 1 bed.  That will be the bed that goes to late peas.

The broccoli has been great.  We are harvesting lots of side shoots right now.  The Premium Crop was nice, but it is too small for what we really need (and want).  Next year I will go back to the more heirloom varieties.  The fall broccoli looks great.  Transplated 14 plants on 12 July and they are growing to beat the band.  Should be some really nice fall produce.

Cauliflower - tried it for the last time.  It is too sensitive and I am not willing to invest the time, resources and space to be disappointed.

Brussel Sprouts are great.  I just started taking off some of the lower leaves.  Now is the time to keep it watered good.  Will mulch tomorrow.

Lettuce, beets, and swiss chard continue to be our greens.  Eberythng that we like and need.  Will harest some beets for cooking in the next few days.  They are from the left over thinnings.  I will plant some more where #3 peas came out. 

Beans are just flowering and will plant the third planting tomorrow.  I know it is late, but better late than NOT.

The currants are great this year.  Took almost 5#'s of red to the freezer already.  Need to pick more tomorrow if time permits.

The raspberries are in full picking right now.  Have froze over a gallon and will most likely freeze another gallon tomorrow.  Freezer space will be a premium as we have 25#'s of strawberries in there already.

Will try and get some pictures but right now am spending my time keeping the weeds at bay.

Again, I apologize for the lateness, but...

The weather has finally turned hot!

It has been an interesting week. The weather has been all over the map, but in the end turned warmer. We are now into the hot and humid. This afternoon we got a shot of humidity related rain with more reported to be in store for tonight. It's not that we need it, but we'll not turn it away.

This week marked the first pulling of old, spent plants. The early planted spinach and lettuce gave way to the planting of bush beans: green and yellow. Right now, we have 30 seeds in and will start to think about succession planting. Harvesting lots of lettuce, spinach, beet greens from #2, as #3 planting is coming right along. Nothing better than a fresh green salad.

Peas #1 are in full bloom. Seems the heat and humidity have just pushed them to the next stage. #2 and #3 are coming right along. Expect a good harvest as they will come in waves. Expect that they will be done just about the time it is ready for the next planting of greens.

We continue to harvest the asparagus. Taking about 3-6#'s per week. Some in the freezer, some on the BBQ. Great year for the green stalk. Will look for the weekend of the 4th to be the end of the harvest. At that time, will weed and compost heavy. Time to get ready for next year.

The cole crops are coming right along. All of the early planted broccoli are in head and will probably cut next week for raw eating. This will set us up for great shoots later in the year. The cauliflower is coming right along as is the brussel sprouts.

Tomato and pepper plants are a little behind. The cooler wet weather in early June certainly put them behind. Looks like they are starting to catch up.

Snapped all of the garlic scapes last night. Should be a great year for garlic. All of the cloves that were put in the ground last year have materialized into plants.

Took the opportunity to take some of the compost liquor (some would say tea, but I would put it more as the seepage from a strong batch) and use it as a side dress around the cole crops, peppers, and tomato plants. Didn't look like we killed anything but, you never know.

The late plants of broccoli are coming along just fine. Transplanted them into individual pots and they are liking being in the hot sun. Needing to keep them watered, sometimes twice per day.

Tonight's dinner was grilled chicken, lettuce salad, grilled onions and mushrooms. MMMMmmm good.

Stay safe, more pics soon.
Bill