Trials (Rabbits! Weird Weather!) and Triumphs (Tomatoes! Zucchinis!)

IN THE BIG GARDEN:

The radishes and carrots are a little ragged thanks to a hungry rabbit that was munching on them. A few days ago I caught the bunny red-pawed in the radish and carrot bed, but at least I saw where it ran out, so I could fix the fence. Hopefully the plants will grow back (the radishes are almost ready to harvest anyway).

Carrot close-up

Radish row, viewed from above

A casualty of the bunny

Peppers and peas

It's been so cold and rainy the last few weeks, the peppers don't seem to be doing well. I'm going to give them a little time now that it's hot out, but if they don't start growing I'll probably pull them out and plant some radishes and then maybe a late spinach crop.

However, the peas are looking good, doing their climbing act
(above and two photos following)

Tomatoes are also growing well

Here's the Brandywine, an heirloom variety

The first Sungold tomatoes, just starting to set fruit. I can hardly wait!!!

The zucchini-nasturtium jungle

I swear there are zucchini plants in there.
I may have to thin the nasturtiums in case they take over!

Baby zucchini just setting fruit

And a nasturtium. These flowers are good in salads, gives it a little spice.

IN THE LITTLE GARDEN...

YIKES!!! My fast broccoli variety bolted -- began to flower too early. I guess I didn't get it in early enough to get a crop before the hot weather set in over the last few days. The broccoli apparently didn't care that I had finals in late April and early May, so I didn't get it planted until late May. I think I'll let the broccoli flower and collect seeds; maybe I can plant them in late July for a fall crop.

Close-up of the bolting broccoli (above and two photos following)

My slower-growing broccoli variety seems to be doing OK. Here's hoping it doesn't bolt too!

The herbs are all doing well; I've cut the mint, rosemary, and thyme several times each.

Here is some rosemary in front of a broccoli plant.

This is lemon thyme, it gives a nice flavor to stir fries.

Under the row covers, the spinach seems to be doing OK. I think it's almost time for a salad!

Cherry Picking

Today I went out to the Lansing orchards for the Horticulture department cherry pick. Unfortunately, we have had so much cloudy, rainy weather in the past few weeks, most of the cherries had some sort of nasty mold. Maybe I will learn what it is in Plant Pathology next semester!

Inedible cherries with yucky mold (that's the scientific name :o)

I did manage to get at least a handful of clean ones to eat at lunch. Better luck next year!

Strawberry Picking!

Today I picked my first fruit of the season at Brookside Berry Farm in Freeville ... fresh, sweet strawberries. I kept about a quart to eat fresh and froze about five for the looooong Ithaca winter. Funny, it looks like there's a lot more than six quarts there. Some seemed to disappear while I was washing them and cutting off the tops ... I wonder where they went ...

Big and Little Gardens on June 9

IN THE BIG GARDEN:

Front view of the entire big garden, complete with deer fence.

Tomatoes! I have one Brandywine, one Pink Beauty, and three Sungolds.

Sungold tomato plant.

Top view of the zucchini and nasturtium bed. I've read that nasturtiums attract beneficial insects and might repel squash bugs. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Zucchini plant just germinating.

Carrots and radishes, just popping up. I planted radishes between the rows of carrots, because the radishes will be ready long before the carrots need the space.

Yellow pepper plant, hanging in there (I think it's still a bit chilly at night for them).

Newly germinated snap peas.

Soon I'll put up a trellis so the peas can start their climbing act.

IN THE LITTLE GARDEN:

Top view of the Little Garden.

Mint growing well in a planter made by my Dad. Mint reminds me of El Salvador ... all the women filled old broken tubs with soil and planted mint, called hierba buena in Spanish (literally, "good herb.")

Close-up of the mint.

Broccoli plant, just beginning to flower, with thyme in the background. I've read that thyme and rosemary repel cabbage moths. If not, I like both those herbs anyhow.

Close-up of the broccoli.

And, underneath the row covers ... spinach!