Let there be squash!

The most productive crop in the garden right now is by far the squash. You might be surprised how quickly a blossom turns into a full blown squash. I've harvested at least 12-15 off of the four plants in the last week. All of it has gone to be handed out in the Deacon's Deli. As you can see from the next picture, there's plenty more on the way.


The watermelons are bringing up a close second place for most productive. Although there are not yet any melons growing, the watermelon vines seem to double about every two or three days now. They've completely covered their bed in the garden and are very quickly invading the walk ways. Because watermelons use up so much of the soil's nutrients, it is important to either spend a lot of time building up excess nutrients in the soil before planting or to constantly add fertilizers. I have even heard of people digging a hole, filling it with compost, and growing melons straight out of it. We've been spreading compost around the base of the plants and pouring compost tea on the leaves at least once a week.


The tomatoes and peppers, while growing a lot, have not started to fruit. Although they ideally should be producing by now, it isn't time to give up hope yet. They have also been receiving a weekly helping of compost tea (a mixture of compost and fish emulsion) and obviously respond well to the application. Some plants spend too much energy and nutrients in growing and maintaining their foliage and not enough on producing fruit. Because our plants can access so many nutrients, the lack of fruit is probably more due to lack of sunlight and the unbearable summer heat.

Volunteers at the next garden work day will begin seeding plants for the fall garden. We'll begin phasing in the fall garden as the summer garden reaches the end of its run.