Summer is here, and the heat is on. Lots and lots of green tomatoes are appearing, including a few late arrivals. I think all the varieties have set fruit, so I’ll introduce the final three.
‘Sherrill’s Watermelon’ has funny shaped tomatoes that should get even more unusual as they grow into huge paste-type fruit (most paste varieties are fairly small but I hear these are well-named; we’ll see.)
‘Angola’ has a distinctive bluish cast to the foliage.
And last on the introductions is ‘Hazelfield Farm’, another pass-along seed I received this year; it has plenty of ribs like the older varieties often do:
The others are all setting into setting on, especially the ‘Health Kick’
‘Momotaro’
and ‘Boxcar Willie’
Like most of life, even a garden will have some over-achievers ; it looks like those three are determined to outproduce everybody else this year. Still no red ‘uns, though. Still no rain, either. I’m more disappointed by the lack of moisture than the lack of ripe tomatoes.
However, this week did bring two – count ‘em two – zucchini. And THEY brought perplexity to my children who each wondered aloud why these were not shaped like “real” zucchini. I assured them these were not mutants, but ‘Eight Ball’ zucchinis. They’re round and about the size of a pool ball.
I had three juicy, ripe red strawberries, too. And I absent-mindedly left them on the edge of their raised bed while I moved hoses and sprinklers. The birds said thank-you.
In brighter berry news, thanks to my favorite local nurseries, Southbranch and Martin’s, and especially to Middle Son for patiently digging planting holes in our brick-like dry soil, I finally have my “Blueberry Row” along the eastern side of the deck.
On the left is ‘Bountiful Blue’, a small highbush variety that will get approximately 4 feet tall. Beyond the fruitless fig are ‘Sunshine Blue’ and ‘Top Hat’ which are both compact varieties that shouldn’t get more than two feet tall and wide. I hope they cross-pollinate next year and make lots of plump little blueberries for us to enjoy. I did hear from my fig source that we may have another bumper crop this year. I hope so, since mine is not ready to start providing figs – the victim of a few too many moves. I promised it that it’s in its forever home. Next task is to get the grass completely out of this area (Round-up and hand-removal, here we come,) then edge and mulch this area for easier mowing and happier bushes.
So what’s new in your garden? I hope your beans are doing better than mine…I’ve just about given up hope for this year. (Note to self: rabbit fencing is a must-do for next year.)
Happy gardening!
Terry
