Not What I Expected

According to the seed packet, this was supposed to be a Kincho Hybrid melon. But what I got looks more like a green cantaloupe. No matter, It tastes GREAT!

Round 2?

It looks as though my container butterbush squash plant is trying to produce a second crop. Unfortunately, the traditional first frost date in this area is less that a month away. I don't think these squash will mature before then, but I'll hope for the best.

The Time Of Bounty Has Arrived

This is one of my favorite times of the year. After the a couple of months of anticipation, the garden has begun to yield its bounty. And there is nothing like having fresh produce available for use just steps away from your own door. These summer squash beauties are destined for soups, stews and perhaps even a dessert or two.

At Last, Butterbush Success!

I planted a container variety of butternut squash last year and saw the plants wither and die for no apparent reason. This year I planted the remaining six seeds and only one of them sprouted. As you can see, it's coming along quite nicely. Although I must admit that based on the pictures in the seed catalog and the hefty size of the container I'm using, I thought there would be more than three squash on the plant. But, it certainly has been a better result than no squash at all. I can't wait to find out how they taste.

Wonderberries! Wunderbar!

Oh yes, they take their sweet time. But the taste is well worth the wait! Luther Burbank wonderberries are truly wonderful.

Self-absorbed?

Maybe it's just my imagination, but it appears that this sunflower has twisted around to check out its own magnificence as it reaches ever higher towards the sky. Or maybe it's just surprised that it could grow so tall in a modest, discarded trash can container.

Growing Summer Squash Is Never Dull

Like their cucumber cousins, once summer squash start coming they require daily inspection because the fruit can literally increase in size overnight. I am quite sure that this beauty was at least two inches shorter when I looked at it yesterday. But all it took was a passing shower or two to cause it to leap to new proportions. When growing summer squash it's best not to blink too often. You might miss something!

The Groundhog Wars- Part I

This year, thanks to some uninvited guests in my garden, I've been forced to take container gardening to new heights, literally. And it turns out that repurposed trash cans are a very effective way of keeping my summer squash beyond the reach of worrisome woodchucks. I wish I had about a dozen of these, but one does what one can with what one has.

By the way, I've discovered that groundhogs don't like the smell of basil. So placing a few well developed basil plants in containers alongside my smaller container veggies seems to keep the rapacious rodents at bay.

Tomato Grower's Lament

When nightshade fruits come out to play.

They ripen in the sun all day.

They may come in the summer.

They may come in the fall.

But it's a real bummer.

When they don't come at all.

گوجه فرنگی

Although the tomato is native to the New World, it has become global in its reach and its many variations have often returned to its home to delight many a palate. One such variety is Banjan Rumi, which first made its return in 1937 from the nation of Afghanistan. The name of this delicious variety actually comes from Persian(Farsi). So there is every chance that Iranians had a hand in helping develop this variation along with Afghan tomato lovers. I was fortunate to be introduced to this variety this year by the generous seed keepers at wintersown.org. I can't thank them enough for this unexpected gift that came in exchange for some seeds I sent to them.

At a time when Americans have been encouraged to think otherwise, it's good to know that something wonderful can come from Iran and Afghanistan.

Berry Interesting

Every once in a while I like to let one or two of my large containers sit out a season. I think the rest does them some good. Of course, Mother Nature never lets anything truly rest, does she? Everything is always in flux and life is always trying to break through at some level. So I shouldn't be surprised to find something growing in one of my large containers that remained unused this year. 

But what was surprising is that a wonderberry plant sprouted and is now producing fruit. I grew Burbank wonderberries in that container about two years ago! I can't quite figure out why no wonderberry plants sprung up last year, but are appearing now. It's downright puzzling. But as mysteries go, this one is quite easy to live with.

Bargain Bin Bounty

I've been planting summer squash for over a decade now, but I've never seen plants that are as consistently robust and prolific as the ones I've grown this year from these seeds I purchased at the end of last season in one of those 10-packets-for-a-dollar sales. It just goes to show that you never know where your greatest bounty will come from.

Keep A Weather Eye Out

When someone tells you to keep a weather eye out or on something they mean watch it very carefully so you don't end up blindsided by change. That's always good advice when growing anything, but it's especially true about summer squash, cucumbers and other members of the Cucurbita pepo group. Once they start bearing fruit, it takes daily inspection to make sure you don't overlook some tender prize. And If you skip a few days of inspection you may find yourself looking at living baseball bats, because as tender as they are when they're young and small, they easily become tough skinned behemoths in a very short time.

These beauties will escape that fate. They'll make a nice side dish after they are battered and lightly fried.

Long Time Coming

It's not supermarket pretty and it has certainly been a long time in coming. But the first large tomato has finally ripened and will soon be followed by others. The weather certainly hasn't been what it should be. Although there has been sufficient rain, the long stretches of hot weather that tomatoes, melons and other plants love best have been in short supply. Despite the unusual weather, it looks like things will work out well after all. And that suits me just fine!

A Familiar Friend

The stripped delicata squash plant has started fruiting. I love this variety for its taste, its resistance to powdery mildew and the fact that it keeps well for months after harvesting in dark, cool, dry places like the corner of a garage.

Not Born In Beautiful Downtown Burbank

Most Americans familiar with the name Burbank know it because of the endless stream of jokes Johnny Carson made about the suburb of Los Angeles bearing the same name. But Luther Burbank's career as a botanist was nothing to joke about considering that during his lifetime he developed more than 800 strains and varieties of plants used around the world today. And he did so despite the fact that his formal schooling ended in high school.

The orbs pictured above are Burbank Wonderberries. I was warned before I grew them that their taste is usually mild and understated. The bad news is that this appears to be the case. But the good news is that they can be used in various recipes that apply to other types of berries and still produce a delicious outcome. I guess baking and sugar can add zip to any type of berry.