Wednesday, July 1, 2009 -

Cleaned off and worked up half of bed #1 (south) and planted some squash:

• 2 Mesa Queen, semi-bush acorn squash (winter squash)

• 2 Early White bush scallop squash

• 1 Zucchini squash (spineless)

• 1 Horn Of Plenty, yellow, crook neck squash

It is possibly a little late for squash, but there should be enough time for them to make unless we have a very early fall. I didn't order the semi-bush squash. They were sent as a replacement for the bush acorn squash I ordered because I was so late in getting my seed orders in. I have concerns about how much room they will take up with their vines. Even the short vines of semi-bush squash may overrun the space available. I planted 3 seeds in each planting spot (not actually hills). After the seeds come up I will thin to 1 strong plant (hopefully). I will place a collar around each plant and side-dress with fertilizer.

While I was at it, I marked off a 2-foot wide area for the turnips that will be planted at the end of this month and an area for some sweet corn. I will probably have to order seed, because I doubt that any will be available locally at this late date. Right now, I'm planning on 3 rows (4 feet long), spaced 1 foot apart for best pollination.

I finally got around to pulling the weeds and grass out of the pots of native ferns, lemon grass and tarragon. No, I don't know why I waited so long to get this simple chore done. I fertilized them with an organic fertilizer and watered well. The ferns need to be moved to a shadier spot. They're burning up sitting out in full sun like they are. I would like to bring them up on the patio area and paint the ugly pot they're in, but 1) I don't want another pot on the patio until after we've had a chance to get the patio sealed because I'll just have to move it. 2) I don't have any more paint right now.

Lynn and I got out this evening and started pulling the dead weeds and grass from the bricks in the patio so we could work at getting the patio sealed. We got about half or two-thirds of it weeded. We moved all of the furniture off the patio to get it out of the way. After we get it all weeded, we'll blow it off real good and sweep in some new (cleaned) sand into the bricks and dampen it down to settle it. The goal right now is to buy a sealer sprayer this weekend and seal the patio.

Right now, they are predicting a 60% chance of rain Saturday (July 4^th) with rain predicted for Friday evening through Sunday and highs in the upper 80's and lows in the upper 60's. So we'll see if we actually get to seal the patio this weekend. After we get it sealed, I have every intention of going ahead and setting up the patio, complete with all of the chairs and cushions, even though we don't have proper covers yet to keep off the rain and bird poop. For now, I'll just buy some large sheets of heavy plastic to cover everything. Not very handy, but at least we'll be using the patio for its intended purpose after all of the work we've put into it.

Thursday, July 2, 2009 -

Lynn finished cleaning the dead weeds from the bricks in the patio and landing. We cleaned sand and swept it into the bricks after thoroughly blowing the patio off with a blower. After sweeping in the sand, Lynn wet it down with a moderate spray from the hose to settle the sand. Given a couple of days of sunshine to dry, it should be ready to seal. We already have the sealer and mineral spirits to clean up with, but we'll need to buy a sealer sprayer this weekend. Right now, we are hoping to put a second coat of sealer on the patio in late August or early September before fall gets here.

After sealing the patio, I plan on placing all of the furniture where it is to be used and start using it for its intended purpose. This includes the chair from the living room, the rug from the front porch and all of the cushions. For now, I'll buy large sheets of plastic to keep everything covered. It is my hope to be able to buy proper covers before fall.

I already have a board to repair the one Adirondack chair that needs a new board and the other one simply needs to have the split board glued together and clamped. I will take on the task of disassembling, sanding and painting these two chairs next. I will replace the screws with either stainless steel or galvanized screws and paint the chairs “Hunter Green”, which is an original color for the original Adirondack chairs.

I moved the 5 remaining celery plants into a single, straight row and planted two rows of carrots.

• 1 row of Nelson

• 1 row of Haze Hybrid, purple carrot

Both of these are a “Nantes Type” carrot that should do well with the somewhat heavy soil. I did mix a lot of extra sand into the carrot area to help loosen it. The rows were planted 6 inches apart and 12 inches from the celery. This wider spacing, along with the extra spacing and a lot of supplemental organic fertilizer should make for a good carrot crop. These will be thinned to 1 ½ to 2 inches after they sprout.

I also planted a second crop of kohlrabi (Early White Vienna) between the onions and beets. The rows were spaced out at 1 foot and the plants will be thinned to 3 to 4 inches after they sprout. Both the carrots and kohlrabi seeds were measured out and placed into a container with approximately 1 cup of sand and mixed well. The sand/seed mixture was then poured evenly along the row for a more uniform seed spacing.

The last 2 days I have worked hard to get a little work done outside and I've gotten much more done than in the past 2 months. However, I still can't work as hard or as long as before and tire very easily. Right now, it seems to take me all day to do what I used to do all day (think about it - it'll come to you). I also find that I simply can't take the heat like before. When it starts to get warm, stick a fork in me - I'm done!

Friday, July 3, 2009 -

I noticed that there are tomatoes setting on all of the plants. This is a good sign because I was afraid that I was going to have to use some "Blossom Set" to get them started because it was so hot and many of the blooms were dropping. I contemplated planting some herbs, eggplant, chives and some more English daisies for transplanting later, but chose not to yet. I need to decide if I want to go ahead and get that involved right now. I'm really not sure about my gardening dedication right now and am finding myself wrestling with many issues. And these "issues" are showing in my poor performance this year. It seems that every direction I'm turning is ending in a brick wall that I'm having to battle through. Given time, I know I'll come out on top as I always do, but in the meantime • • •?

I did start digging out a few weeds from one of the flower beds. But not being able to really get down yet has left this task to only being able to get the biggest clumps out. I guess next year I'll start the project of "Renew The View" all over again. It seems that I am never able to get a bed both completed and settled in before something happens to make me start all over again. Oh well - I guess change and adversity are what makes us strong or at least I keep telling myself that.

It rained this afternoon - 1/2 inch.

Saturday, July 4, 2009 -

The bush beans are starting to sprout well. I got out and built "scarecrows" of assorted types for both them and the squash, even though they haven't started to sprout yet. The first type was simple "flashy spinners" made from old CD's, pot pie tins and can tops for the squash. These were dangled from simple coat hanger frames. The second was a wire cage with spinners for the bush beans and dangly tassels and spinners for the pole beans.

While shopping today, I purchased a sprayer just for sealing the patio (if the weather will cooperate). While out, I found sweet corn seed. I purchased an 80 day yellow, 85 day white and an 88 day yellow. I will plant these about 3 or 4 days apart and soak each batch of seed for 24 hours prior to planting in order to speed up sprouting. Corn with this late of maturing time is getting a little "iffy", but as long as we don't have an early frost, should have time to make.

The plan for planting right now is to plant 2 rows of each variety about 4 inches apart and the plants about 6 inches apart in the rows in a zigzag pattern. Each block of 2 rows will be about 1 foot apart. This close spacing is only possible in a very small block and with a lot of extra fertilizer and water. In a larger plot, it would be a total failure from competition. Each 2 row block should net about 2 or 3 pickings for us.

Sunday, July 5, 2009 -

I did a little tomato tying this morning. The weather was cool (low 60's) and misting with a little drizzle early this morning. This was a welcome change from the heat of summer, even though it wasn't conducive to much gardening. It would, however be great weather for pulling some of the jungle of weeds that are taking over everything, if I could get down to do it. But not quite yet. I certainly hope it clears off tomorrow so I can get things sprayed again. The bugs are having a field day this year.

Monday, July 6, 2009 -

I got out and did a little mowing today. It's the first time in months that I've been able to mow my own yard. Granted, I didn't do a lot of pushing the mower and my son did most of it, but at least I was able to mow a little. I like mowing my own grass. We used the clippings on the beds since the weather is turning decidedly "summer". I even mulched a pot of containerized ferns.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009 -

I took the day to catch up on a few things today. We finally got around to cutting off the lower ends of the stair runners where we built them this spring. This will greatly reduce the trip hazard. We also cleared off the patio and sprayed the first coat of sealer on the brickwork, masonry and woodwork. We're going to try to apply a second coat about Saturday if the weather holds. After the sealer dries really well, we're going to assemble the patio furniture as we wish to use it and start using it for the purpose intended. Repairing and painting the two Adirondack chairs is next.

I got out and finally had a chance to spray the cabbage and kohlrabi again. The new planting of kohlrabi is sprouting along with the zucchini squash. This evening, I put about 50 sweet corn seeds in water to soak overnight. I'll plant these in the morning and hopefully plant another crop in about 3 or 4 days with the third about 3 or 4 days after that.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009 -

We planted 2 rows of sweet corn today. Enough seed was soaked overnight to plant both rows. The idea is that pre-soaking will speed up germination and cut days off of the germination time of 7-10 days. It was planted very close in order to grow more plants per space. The plants are in 2 rows approximately 4 inches apart and will be thinned to 6 inches apart in the rows in a zigzag pattern. I believe we can get away with this on a small scale with extra water and fertilizer. The rows were mulched and watered immediately. In about 3 or 4 days, I'll plant another 2 rows and 3 or 4 days after that 2 more.

I pulled the first mess of kohlrabi today. They will be cooked up with the onions I've been pulling for "pearl onions" and a small head of cabbage with a pork roast.

The weather is back into the 60's today with no forecasted chance of rain until Saturday.

Thursday, July 9, 2009 -

I got out today and pruned the lilac and redbud trees in the planters. I've pulled the small planting pots out of the lilac planter and will remove the lilac and soil from this planter so I can mix sand with the potting soil. This is not needed for the lilac, but will help drainage. I'll do this before we take it back onto the patio.

I've been noticing for a few days now that more and more of the moss rose plants are missing. Many of them appear to be cut off. However, I'm not seeing the plants left in the planter. I've never herd of birds attacking moss rose before and I've seen no evidence of squirrels. Since the parts of the seedlings that were cut off are gone entirely, I'm not sure what's after them. I've looked, but find no evidence of cutworms either. I'm not quite sure which way to go right now, but there are so few plants left I guess it doesn't matter other than the mystery aspect of it. I'll probably just pull the few remaining plants and proceed a different direction for now. I'll probably cover the soil with sand or decorative gravel and use it as a place for garden art.

Many of my potted plants were in need of weed removal and repotting from their winter storage. This should have been done much earlier, but I've been unable to lift them or handle mixing potting soil until now. The pot that the thyme is in, is all cracked and broken from the winter and weather, which made the plastic extremely brittle. Additionally, it was still laden with leaves in the branches and pot along with a lot of dead growth that needed removed.

I mixed up some potting soil using the old method of 1 part soil, 1 part compost and 1 part sand. Until recent years, this was the standard mix and worked well for decades. Today, in an effort to lighten containers, they use a soilless mix. But for outdoor container plants that are not hanging, it still works well and I still like using it. A note here is in order to remind me; In our quest to change the weight issue of potted plants, and it was hoped to improve potting soil, we did indeed improve it to one extent, but created another problem. Peat moss is a great material to use, but it is largely a non-renewable product and is harvested from environmentally sensitive areas. Perlite itself has issues connected with it, but as of yet, I don't have as much information on it as I would like. Perhaps, one of these days I'll get around to researching it more.

I pruned, trimmed and cleaned the thyme bush and repotted it with just a small amount of organic fertilizer. While I was at it, I discovered a branch that had "air-layered". Therefore, I cut it loose and gained an additional plant, which was also potted up. I also got two of the monarda plants put into a long planter. While I was at it, I discovered that they had contracted "downy mildew" real bad. I'll need to mix up some spray to treat them with.

I also cleaned out the white horehound and gave it a little bit of organic fertilizer. White horehound has never done well here when I had it planted in the ground. When I dug and potted it last fall, I was hoping that perhaps it would do better than in the ground. Thus far, this has not been the case. I'll need to do more research on this.

I still have other plants that need to be repotted, but they'll wait until tomorrow I guess. I'm dripping with sweat from the heat and humidity, so I'm retreating inside for now.

Friday, July 10, 2009 -

It rained 1/4 inch this morning. Went out to see what I could do but the humidity was running near 70% and thus just standing made sweat run like rain off of my face. Picked up the yard and went back inside for a shower.

Saturday, July 11, 2009 -

Raining this morning but the temperatures are already in the upper 70's at 0800. The humidity is running 80 to 85% and not conducive to doing anything outdoors this morning. I did get out and cleaned up and repotted the Hidcotee lavender plant today. It rained only about 1/10th of an inch and made it even more humid.

While I was at it, I had another one of my "hillbilly" brain farts (oh no - here we go again). I have been wrestling with what to do around the perimeter of the patio, between the posts to add interest and liven things up a bit. The original lattice screening idea is not going to happen any time soon. I have 4 long planters that I bought at a neighbors yard sale that aren't being used. I believe I'll go ahead and attach the 2x6's to the tops of the posts as originally planned. To this I'll attach pieces of the 60 inch wide chicken wire between each set of posts and hang it down to just above a planter attached to the timbers below.

The wire can be painted green and repaint the planters an off-white. Paint the wood-work around the patio with whit paint and the 4x4 posts "Hunter Green" The planters will be mounted on 2x6 "platforms" that can also be painted Hunter Green to offset the white. Next spring, plant the planters with fast growing annual vines like perhaps morning glories to make living panels, add privacy and provide a natural nectar source for humming birds.

Good News, the sweet corn is sprouting. I can almost "row" the corn. "Rowing" is a term used to describe when enough corn has sprouted (usually around 30 to 40%) so that you can see the row from a distance. I'll need to get more soaking in a day or two after the ground has started to dry some. The seed was planted on July 8th. so that means we got corn up in about half the time and gained roughly four days of growing time.

Sunday, July 12, 2009 -

I couldn't stand the mess in my utility area any longer. Once we started the patio last summer, everything just got thrown into this area and it's a total "pig sty". It was bad enough that it never got finished because I didn't have the money three years ago when I created it, but now it has become a "catch-all" for everything and is a total mess and an eye-soar.

The weather was a tad bit cooler today, so Lynn and I got out and started cleaning. I threw away a lot of things I'd been hanging onto, pulled wheelbarrow loads of weeds, sprouts and vines and found several things I'd forgotten about. We still have the bricks to contend with and we still don't have a good idea as to what we're going to do with the extra soil we removed from the patio excavation yet, but we will.

Right now, we're considering putting down additional landscape fabric over what is already there and laying the bricks down as a form of paving. We'll then stack what I plan on saving on top of these. Yes, I know that it could be unhandy if I get to a point that I need the bricks, but for now, they'll be out of the way and put to good use. Eventually, I would like to frame in that area, install posts and a second level (large shelf) and lay down gravel, but that will probably be some time out.

Monday, July 13, 2009 -

It was raining when I got up this morning again. Most of the onions were ready to pull so I pulled all of them and laid them out to dry. Yes, they were small because I planted them late, but they are just the right size for cooking whole and they're full of flavor.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 -

It rained off and on most of the day. A good day to stay inside and write. We've had 1 5/8 inch of rain the past 36 hours. One of the rainiest July's I can remember.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009 -

It rained a quarter of an inch last night. With all the rain over the past few days, it was very humid and damp this morning. I've grown tired of waiting for the sealer to dry on the patio, but it is fairly dry. I know it is working though because all of the rains have washed a lot of the sand to puddle areas in the middle of the patio. Right now I'm wishing that I had went with my first instinct and mortared the holes in the bricks. In fact, if I had it to do over again, I would mortar all of the bricks to make a solid surface.

I went ahead and put the patio furniture back on the patio and moved the large planters back into place. That was a definite mistake! I should have waited for help because of their weight. Now my back is paying for it! While I was at it I moved all of the small plants onto the porch and cleaned up the large lemon grass and moved them onto the patio. I sure wish I'd gotten around to taking care of them this spring. They would have been looking really good right now if I had. Perhaps this weekend I can get some plastic or other covering so that I can put the cushions on the furniture and cover it up to protect it from the rain and birds. My goal is to someday purchase regular covers for the furniture.

Yes, the surgery hurt my outdoor efforts for sure, but the job has been my biggest problem. When I had a day or two off, I was to tired to do any garden work and quite honestly didn't care. All I could think of was vegetating.

The cabbages are suffering from the heat and humidity (more the humidity than heat). Three of them have already rotted in place. The remaining three might are trying to make heads if it will quit raining so that I can get them sprayed. The kohlrabi and sweet corn are ready to thin and I'll need to tent some planting area if I'm going to get the second planting of corn in. I'm disgusted with the pole bean seed I bought. I've planted it twice and out of two plantings, I've only had one seed sprout. No it was not planted to deep or kept to wet. Basically, it was treated no differently than the bush beans, which came up good.

Thursday, July 16, 2009 -

Woke up to cloudy skies and cooler temperatures this morning with highs only in the mid 70's. I started attacking the overgrowth of the beds along the side of the house. I started with the walkway area and proceeded to pull many other large weed elsewhere. I got in and did a severe pruning on the Artemisia.

The rains that should be getting scarce in July, just won't quit. So I covered some planting ground to dry for more corn. Otherwise, it's going to be to late to plant more corn. The dead and rotting cabbage plants have got to be dug out and tossed into the compost pile. Man, rotting cabbage sure carry a powerful odor. I'm smelling them from 50 feet away!

Friday, July 17, 2009 -

It's wonderfully cool this morning! Highs at 07:30 were only in the upper sixties and a nice breeze! Puts me in the mind of fall. Pulled and dug more weeds. A little at a time, I'll eventually get them out. I dug out the rotting cabbage and tossed them into the compost. Thinned the kohlrabi, sweet corn and squash while I was at it. I also noticed that most of the carrot seedlings had dried up and died. At this point, it appears the combination of heat and high humidity are to blame. The soil was nicely moist and had at least a light covering of mulch.

I noticed many of the marigolds with dead sections. I noticed them developing a few days ago but attributed it to overspray from the patio sealer. In checking them further, I noticed borer holes in the stems. I slit several stems open to find light tan borers inside each one. I've never seen or even heard of borers attacking marigolds. In fact, in all of my years of gardening, I've never seen any insect cause serious damage to marigolds. I always wish I could take better pictures, but this is one time I REALLY do wish I could take better pictures.

I wonder if those old window screen frames stored behind the garage could be remade into shade panels? Fitted with black nylon screen wire, could they be used to block some mid-day sun? Would it help?

For reasons I can't explain, most of the moss rose plants have disappeared! Something has cut them off and left only stems. I can't tell right now if it is birds or squirrels, but I've never heard of birds attacking moss rose before. Therefore, I suspect squirrels. There were so few plants left and it is to late to plant more so I pulled out all of the remaining plants and covered the planter soil with a sand mulch.

I dug out my pop bottle waterers and installed them in this planter. They are working so well that I think I'll make more for the other planters and pots. A planter of this size probably needs three to do a good job though. Now I just need to come up with a neat way to decorate them and make them ore attractive.

Saturday, July 18, 2009 -

A wonderfully cool, almost chilly morning, with the temperature at 08:00 only in the upper 60's and clear. It puts me in the mind of fall and makes me feel like working outside. I uncovered the area where I'm going to plant the next planting of corn so it could get some air and dry faster. I need to plant right now.

The roses out front are getting out of hand with new growth. The sidewalk is unusable because of the growth over the sidewalk and weeds (mainly ground ivy) has completely covered the ground beneath them. This is very unsightly as far as curb-appeal is concerned. I got in and pruned the roses back and then dug out the weeds. I've been contemplating installing edging around the roses for a couple of years now, so I went ahead and while I had the ground worked up, started installing edging around the planting area.

The look of the edging greatly improves the look. I wish I had colored mulch to put around them, but I don't. So I'm going to cover the area with newspaper and grass clippings for now to hold down the weeds and conserve moisture. Perhaps next year I can cover this area with "red" bark mulch.

Sunday, July 19, 2009 -

It's a wonderful, cool, clear morning. I would love to be outside this morning, but I'm so far behind on journaling and writing that I've got to spend some time on those things first. But I did get out and remove a few more weeds.

Monday, July 20, 2009 -

The weather is more seasonal with highs only in the mid 80's and sunny today. I got out and finished the edging around the roses out front. Makes it look a lot better with the "thumbnails". I planted the second planting f sweet corn the same as the first except that it was not pre-soaked. The variety is "silver queen" white sweet corn. I also got in and side-dressed the squash with slow-release organic fertilizer.

I did a little more weed removal and cutting things back. You can actually walk beside the house in the path now! It started raining this afternoon again.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009 -

Light to moderate rain off and on all day, but cool with highs staying in the upper 60's to around 70. We received 1 1/2 inch of rain over the past 24 hours.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009 -

A bright, cool dry day with temperatures not getting out of the upper 70's. What can I say, if you don't like the weather in Missouri, stick around because it WILL change! The normal for this time of year is supposed to be in the upper 80's and dry.

Using the roll of plastic sheeting I bought Saturday, I made a cover for the dinning outfit on the patio. The trimming was large enough to cover the love-seat and chair set as well. The borers are still active in the marigolds and the squash are all showing wilting. I think I may have disturbed to many roots when I side-dressed them. We'll see.

One stem of the Artemisia had split and broken over in the storms yesterday. I drove a shepherds hook next to it and tied it upright. I also wrapped the split with jute twine to help hold it while it heals.

Thursday, July 23, 2009 -

I took some time this morning to sketch out some plans for the alcove corner of the house bed this morning. Right now, my plan is to incorporate an enclosure in the dry corner to overwinter potted plants, finish the drip basin for the bad gutter and move 4 or 5 of the larger plants into the corner. I will spread these out more than they are now to give them room. I will cover the ground with landscape fabric and plant through it. The fabric will be covered with mulch and install a soaker hose under the fabric. A walkway of recycled concrete will need to be installed to gain access to the winter enclosure.

My son mowed the yard today. I was kept busy laying down the grass clippings as a thick mulch over everything I cleared of weeds. At least I won't be weeding those areas again this year. The mulch was laid especially deep in the alcove area. When I get ready to move plants this fall, I'll remove most of the mulch and replace it afterward.

Every day or two, I'm getting more weeds removed from the jungle that has occurred from my not being able to get out and keep things weeded this spring and early summer. Already I have made a 1000% improvement on how it looks. If I continue, by the time fall gets here I'll have it at least weeded.

Friday, July 24, 2009 -

The "Silver Queen" sweet corn is starting to sprout! It's time (in the next day or two) to get the last planting of corn in. I still have doubts about whether or not any of the corn will make, let alone these latest plantings. But if it doesn't, it doesn't. At least we tried. If I can before freezing weather gets here, it will be possible to construct a plastic enclosure over this bed because it is small. But, I've also got to get a cloche constructed for the winter bed. Purchasing material and constructing that one may be as far as I get before a freeze hits. We'll see.

Saturday, July 25, 2009 -

I awoke to a large flash of lightning and a clap of thunder that rolled on for the longest time! Yes, it's raining again this morning! We got 1/2 inch. The end of July, and it's still raining with some regularity. Most unusual indeed! It's already been hot (highs in the upper 90's for a few weeks), but to still be having rain and everything still growing well is most unusual for the end of July. I did get out and pulled another tub of weeds this afternoon. A little at a time. We'll get the beds cleaned out yet.

Sunday, July 26, 2009 -

Had coffee out on the patio this morning. It was sunny, clear and cool like September. It's wonderful!

Monday, July 27, 2009 -

Enjoyed a cup of coffee on the patio this morning. It was clear and cool like yesterday. Mornings like this make me long for fall. The forecast is for rain this afternoon, so my first task was to cover the patio furniture with the plastic covers Lynn and I made.

The last planting of corn is due in the ground. So I covered the next planting area with plastic to keep it dry. Before covering it, I aerated it with a cultivator so it would dry better. I went to bed #2 and cleaned off the old grass mulch from the cabbages and aerated it with a cultivator. Then I added copious amounts of sand to the area where sand was not previously added. I found one bag of commercial compost when I was cleaning the utility area, so I added it to the bed and mixed it all in. This area will soon be turned and made ready to get some fall crops started.

Only got a little shower of rain.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009 -

After my morning coffee, I started the day watering the potted plants and patio planter. The tomatoes are looking great, but I need to get another string or two on them. After watering, I got in and pulled a few more weeds.

I got in and finished the drip basin under the back eve. It would be preferred to repair the gutter, but I don't own the house and the landlord isn't interested. Therefore, I find ways to work with what I have. The drip basin and spillway will be used as a repository for the rocks I pick up around the yard and garden. So it works out well regardless. The rocks are all pre-cleaned so that unnecessary dirt is not carried into the basin and spillway. I need to consider some form of covering for the water control to keep leaves, etc. out, but I will still need access to be able to add rocks.

It was awfully humid today. The forecast is for strong storms this evening and tonight.

Thursday, July 30, 2009 -

Planted the last planting of corn today (Early Bantam Hybrid). I doubt it will make unless I can construct an enclosure before fall. But, at least I tried. If it doesn't make, all I've lost is some seed and time. I covered the area to plant in turnips this weekend or early next week. While I was at it, I dug and made ready, the ground to replant carrots and to plant cabbage, cauliflower, Pak Choy and Broccoli for transplanting. I'll let the soil rest for a few days before planting.

The area for planting carrots and fall vegetables was amended with sand and compost before digging. While I was out, I thinned the second planting of corn and put a split on one corn plant that had been blown over. I noticed that it came up a little spotty, so there aren't as many plants in that block.

the "Hillbilly Gardener"