I just heard on the 5:00 news that our heat index is 106 right now... am I getting used to it or just losing my mind? It's hot out, but to me it doesn't seem as bad as it was before, even though temps are the same. I could tell the humidity was bad however since at 5 pm I had to wipe down my camera lens before every shot, and still a bunch came out foggy! I only went into the garden today to take photos and check on the melons, then it was right back into the house - I didn't even glance at those jalapenos!
Here's what's going on now:
Everybody loves fennel! I have caterpillars of every different instar stage on my fennel, I stopped counting at 53, and that was only one plant! I can't even imagine how many are on the other fennel, dill and parsley plants. The butterfly weed is already constantly being visited by beautiful huge Swallowtails, I hope to have the camera handy next time. Speaking of, this morning while watering I saw a Hummingbird Moth at rest just chilling out on the peanut plants - ran in, got the camera, of course he was gone when I got back!
Honeybee! This is very exciting this year. We have always had loads of bumbles and mason bees, but never honeybees, even though my yard is the only yard planted out for almost 1/2 sq mile! This year - they found me! I couldn't be happier. Of course now I have to teach the kids to step carefully around the clover, they are used to the bumbles which pay them no mind and the Masons which are clumsy and cannot sting!
Look closely, 1st instar stage!
Jump for joy! It's greens! I haven't been able to grow them since early May thanks to the heat. Even my heat tolerant lettuce blends said "no, thanks". On a whim I planted out some Mizuna which apparently tolerates some heat (I didn't believe it!). Germination in about 6 hours, I forgot how darn fast that stuff is! I am letting it sun in the morning, and covering with shade the rest of the day in hopes of a salad for my tomatoes. Better get out there and thin...
UFO's are coming fast and strong now, but still not the top ones that look different
4th of July Hybrid has been a steady producer and has done well in a container in the heat
These mini yellow Stuffing Peppers look like lollipops! I love how they all grow upside down like a bouquet with all the peppers on top. This looks like alot, but I am hoping to make mass quantities of stuffed (with rice, etc) and freeze - they are meatball sized, so I am hoping they will be like premade dinners, just pour tomato sauce over the top and bake.
That's the plan, anyways LOL
Planted Japanese Climbing Cucumbers June 10th, they are now flowering and looks like they are doing okay with insects so far... I threw zinnias or something in there too, that's the other thing you see. Funny how slowly flowers grow in seed trays but go crazy direct seeded. These were planted 1 month ago and you can barely see to the right of Marley's ear one lavender bloom that opened tonight!
Cosmos self seeded last year all over the place - I have a 6 ft wire fence and they are above that!
Still not ready.... maybe I'm checking too much - is 10 times a day too often?!
Easy garden dinner tonight! Scrambled eggs w/cheese & salsa made last night, strawberry jam
We've got a heat advisory for here as well. Near or exceeding 110 heat index tomorrow. Today as I walked to the bus it was only 92. Not bad.
ReplyDeleteBut wow, We're having costal VA weather! Must be because we set up the pool and can now relax on the 'beach'.
Your UFOs look great. I harvested my first real tomato this afternoon. It didn't make it out of the garden!
Stay cool.
Judy
mmmmm....strawberry jam. Everything looks so healty inspite of the heat! I'm amazed.
ReplyDeleteEverything looks great . . . except the caterpillars! Your dinner looked a lot like our breakfast this morning, minus the salsa . . . darn.
ReplyDeleteI spent most of the day weeding. Surprised at how dry the ground is considering the frequent rains we've had. Guess the high temps are taking their toll. Our pond is down noticeably also.
MamaPea! All those plants they are on were planted specifically for them LOL! It's my butterfly corner of the garden, they have food for every stage through adult there so they don't seem to bother my other stuff... or do you not like caterpillars LOL???!!
ReplyDeleteNow my deepest secret is out. I hate anything caterpillar-y or worm-y. (Some gardener I am, huh?) The pictures of the tomato worms or horn worms just about did me in. We used to have them back in Illinois and I almost had a seizure every time I encountered one. I have yet to see one up here in Minnesota and THAT'S JUST FINE WITH ME! I can handle any kind of bug or spider you throw at me but a worm . . . gak, I have to stop talking about it. And go get a stiff alcoholic beverage.
ReplyDeleteThat's hilarious! Actually I used to be the same way ever since I saw my little brother eat one when we lived in San Jose (he was 2!). They always creeped me out but I love butterflies so much. Once I started gardening I made it a point to learn as much as I could and it had the effect of desensitizing me. Now I'm the crazy lady lifting off my dill in the veggie garden and talking to them while I walk them over to the "right" dill... "you're naughty... you can't be here.... you have your own garden...." Crazy as a loon, that's me! WILL NEVER LIKE A HORNWORM THOUGH! LOL....
ReplyDeleteI saw a monarch butterfly in my garden the other day. It was stunning. I wouldn't mind a cocoon or two in my garden. Jonathan would probably get a kick out of it.
ReplyDeleteThat cantaloupe looks stunning. I can't wait until cut it open!
Lovely garden pics! So, what's your secret for knowing when the cantaloupe is ready for pickin'?
ReplyDeleteYour garden is doing surprisingly well, what with all the hot weather you've had. Love the caterpillars! Your dinner looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteEverything looks so beautiful in your summer garden Erin, even with temps in the 100's!
ReplyDeleteLooking good! No, ten times a day to check on that cantaloupe is not too much. I was the same way until Alex took mine down. Did get a couple, and they were very good!
ReplyDeleteNow I am wondering if my mini bells are growing up...I have other peppers that are- this I know. Hmm....
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed your breakfast for dinner, always a great move. Is the melon still attached to the vine? It must be killing you.
Yikes, over 53 caterpillars on one plant sound like a nightmare to me!
ReplyDelete106! Whoa that is hot.
ReplyDeleteLoving that canteloupe, looks great.
Wow, you sure have a lot of catepillars on your plants.
You guys have no idea how much I am anticipating that cantelope! I have never grown melons before and the only cantelope or watermelon I have tasted have been from the grocery store. I was out this morning and it's still not ready. Now that the caterpillars are getting bigger, I am noticing even more all over the place! I ought to be raising butterflies and selling them to wedding planners!
ReplyDeleteugh, 5 hours in the car - I just now got home and it's 8:18 pm... guess there goes my Friday night, better luck tomorrow on that "me time" huh? LOL!
ReplyDeleteooops posted that on the wrong day!
ReplyDelete