Pushing Positivity Despite a Frustrating Garden Year

 

The weather is much to be desired this garden year.  We should have been picking weeks ago, canning and enjoying by now.  We literally just picked (yesterday) our first heirloom Shintokiwa cucumber (English variety).  One plant already died, the other two types of cucumbers are are not looking good.

I picked two pickling cucumbers, and have put them in my vegetable storage containers, that keep them fresh longer.  In hopes to get more, and possible just get some relish canned this year.

The humidity has been at it's worst, and with the lack of rain, the garden suffers.  The weather these next two days will be in the upper 90's, and the humidity at it's worst yet.  This morning the humidity is 92% already.  

We have only gotten green beans from two plants so far, as we had to replant twice (after we finally fenced them).

The tomatoes are at their worst ever.  They are very small, lack any production good enough to do any canning, and the beef style has yet to even ripen (due to the ground hogs and rabbits prior to fencing).  The plants are not as tall as they should be by now, and lack anything to harvest.

The hot peppers are so-so.  The cayenne plants never grew tall, and have zero peppers on them.  I am starting to get other ones of other varieties, but not sure I'll be canning anything just yet.

It's yet to be determined on the winter squash plants, and pototoes.  The acorn squash is just now starting to produce, but the plant itself looks iffy.  Again, the humidity, and the battle with squash bugs are a problem this year.  I don't see any of the delicata squash producing at all yet.

The radishes were a wash this year as well.  I planted too late.

The collards and kale never recovered from what ever was eating them, but the swiss chard is trying to hold on.

On the left zucchini and squash with onions and homemade cowboy butter, on the right camper potatoes.  We are getting a few zucchini and yellow squash, but not nearly as many as we did last year.

We are not getting many of the blackberries either.  I have to build a new bird cover, and keep an eye on them.  I have a feeling I have another ground hog or rabbit eating the low ones.  Again.

Our new blueberry bushes, planted in pots are doing well, but it will be a few years before we get many, so I purchased 10# and put them in the freezer.

We also froze 5 1/2 dozen ears of local sweet corn.  I may plant some in a few years, but this year we had raccoons.  It seems to be a rodent problem year here.  By the wayt, the tool on the left is specifically for corn hair removal, and the inexpensive bottle brush on the right works just as well.  The hack using the jar lifter to fill the freezer bags worked well for me too.

Well, it's the last day of July.  Hard to believe the entire month went by so fast.

We have however, made progress in the master bathroom.  The ceilings, all of the trim and walls are now painted.

I may be back with a garden update down the road.  Just when I tell my husband I am not growing a garden next year, I make us a salad with one stinkin' cucumber, do the happy dance after the first bite, and sigh.  Trust me however, when I say it's been the most frustrating garden year, I really do mean it.

Here's praying that August starts out with good vibes, a better garden harvest, more home progress, and fun filled adventures.

P.S. I have noticed that spam is trying to post on my blog since I have been here last.  

Pushing Positivity Despite Frustrating Garden Year © July 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart