Ramblin’ Squash

It is almost impossible to walk between the beds of squash. The beds are 4’ wide, but by looking at the pictures it is almost impossible to tell that they are even in beds. The hills were planted in the center of the beds, but the squash has “roamed” to fill the spaces between beds and in some places they have actually jumped into bed with other squash.

The cayenne peppers are growing some huge wrinkled monsters. Some of the would be over 10” long straightened out. The cherry peppers are producing well, but none have started to turn red yet. When they do they will be pickled and stuffed with prosciutto and cheese. The jalapeno peppers are making a few peppers, but not like they did last year.

The tomatoes are coming in a little stronger now. There are plenty to eat, but nothing to give away or can yet. The basil was planted between the tomatoes and the tomatoes are making so much shade that the basil isn’t growing much.

David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://davidsegrest.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/

Hanging Tomatoes

Hanging Tomatoes

I suppose by now that every gardener has heard of the hanging tomato vines. It really seemed like a great idea; but I have been just a little skeptical. Yesterday I had lunch with my mother at Plantation Estates. She told me about one of the residents that had a hanging tomato vine. We walked down to take a look. This vine is huge and has large tomatoes on it. I am sold and will have 1 (or 2) on my patio by the time the weekend is over. It will be easy to take into the greenhouse when the weather gets cool.

We got a few more squash yesterday, 2 zucchinis and a yellow crookneck. They were very small. My policy is to pull the squash when the blossom falls. I may need to start waiting one more day. Every variety of summer squash has at least 1 fruit on the plant. The spaghetti squash has blossoms. I really hope the pepper and garlic spray will keep the pickle worms away this year.

A short thunder storm boomed through last night; so watering will not be necessary before Sunday. Thunderstorms have been predicted for every night since Monday; but that is the 1st one that materialized.

I lost 4 tomato plants this past week. I bought 3 yesterday at Renfrow’s and have 2 left in the greenhouse. I also bought some cayenne pepper plants. We don’t eat them; but they make good bug spray. I would have bought habanero’s if they had had them. Also had to get more cucumber seeds.

David Segrest is an International REALTOR in Charlotte, NC. His email is david@segrestrealty.com , His webpage is http://www.segrestrealty.com , and his international real estate blog is http://dointernationalrealestate.blogspot.com/.