Wednesday in the Garden

Pole beans and Jelly melons

Despite a threatening sky and predictions of rain, quite a few gardeners spent the morning harvesting and weeding.  Nancy, Dave, Cathi and probably others were digging nutsedge (cyperus spp.) around the G beds (4 x 4 raised rotation beds).  A much larger patch beyond where they were working will probably get some herbicide. We only use herbicide when nothing else works, and nutsedge is definitely a case in point. Even then it only knocks this pest back for a season or a year, only to regain its former territory– so annoying.

The garden still looks good even though it’s June and it’s been hot, but not as intensive as it will be later in the summer. The tomatoes in bed A have been trashed.  Many of us were absent from the garden for several weeks leaving us vulnerable to summer invaders.  

The tomatoes were infested by what appears to be army worms, judging from the damage.  The entire plants were removed so they won’t infect the rest of the garden. Dave’s GMO tomatoes farther down in the garden have not suffered the same fate.  That’s gardening – random disasters, hoped for successes.

The major amount of work done in the Forest Garden by many prior to the open house is holding well, and the pathways are free of weeds and looking good. Next to be planted there are winged beans for the arbor and cowpeas and sweet potatoes in any open space.  The beans will add nitrogen to the soil and the sweet potatoes will deter weeds.  These reliable summer cover crops will also provide a late summer harvest.

It’s always a pleasure to spend time in the garden with friends, beautiful plants, interesting finds, and colorful vegetables and flowers. 

Yarrow

Pollinator plants to attract pollinators
and predators and feed the honey
bees nearby

Kiwano Jelly Melon growing on
the cattle panel arch pictured above.
A climbing cucumber relative. 
Can be eaten at any stage.  Seedy jelly-like 
Interior tastes like a combination of
banana, cucumber, and lime.  
Deters nematodes.

Early row covers and foil covered 
vines have increased our 
success with summer squash 

Sunflowers

An example of biodiversity— eggplants, peppers, basils, cosmos,
marigolds, maybe more.  Although this bed is immediately adjacent
to the worm-eaten tomatoes, there is very little damage
of any kind to these plants. Strongly scented plants and multiple
species and varieties helps to discourage marauding insects.

The terminal tomatoes

Tomato Insect Pest Management:  https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/pests-and-diseases/pests/management/tomato-insect-pest-management/

Southern Army Worms:  https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN263

Tomato Hornworms:  https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN1206

The tomatoes full of blooms in early May. 
So sad to lose them.