So July 4th and 5th were not bereft of gardening. In fact gardening was integral parts of each day. By 8 am on the 4th Frank and I were getting going, starting with maintenance on his daughter Diane’s container garden, consisting of a Thai Sun pepper, 3 Genovese Basil, and 6 assorted tomato plants. Her first go at a garden, and we want it to turn out well. So far so good. Half of the tomato plants are exceeding cage height already.
Then it was on to the Minntonka garden for me and Frank. Stirrup hoed the whole thing, and replaced/planted 4 Jimmy Nardello peppers which had evaporated/traveled to some other dimension since we had planted. Just 4 rows of 10 plants each this year at the Minnetonka garden, plus 8 plants at my house, and 26 at the Ness Farm. So, 74 this year. More spaced out too. We are hoping for larger plants and thinking that will improve production per plant.
July 4th was a fertilizing day. 8 liquid ounces per plant of basic tomato/pepper food for each of the 100+ tomato and 40 pepper plants at the Minnetonka garden. Nothing special. Just a nutrient kick for each plant without feeding the weeds.
This picture shows a row of Renville Paste Tomatoes, bred by a friend of mine. They are the only “experimental” tomato at this garden this year, as we are trialing what has been the go-to tomato of a friend who developed this variety for himself years ago and just never bothered to share it with anyone previous to meeting me. I am really curious to see how it does. Just starting to flower now.
The afternoon was spent at a cousin of Patti’s, who has a pool, and we had a pot luck dinner, beer, and conversation afternoon while the kids had fun, swam, and did not drown.
Afterwards we went home, changed, and just made the fireworks display in Waconia at 10 pm, but forgot the camera in the car so no photos of that. Oh well. It was a nice display.
7 am I was awake again, and puttering out in my backyard here at the house. Hollyhocks are blooming. This year I have white and pink. Seeds come from my Grandfather’s house some years ago. Pretty plants, and they do get huge.
Just a photo of the trellis I am growing the Scarlet Runner beans up this year. I can see a few set beans on it, and this last week of cool weather hopefully set quite a few. They always bloom beautifully, but any temps over about 80 stop them from actually setting beans.
Cabbages in the back yard here are starting to set heads. Looking forward to everything from the fresh eating to the sauerkraut ones.
Just Piper and I headed out to the Ness Farm at around 11 am. Took this photo to give size perspective on the corn so far. It will be fully tasseled (this one) within the week.
They are starting to emerge. Has me smiling. Mine will be set with mature cobs before the local GMO crap is even knee high.
The plant with the red variegated leaves is still showing color in the leaves, but more muted than earlier in its development.
The plant that was extreme white/green is showing some color in the variegation now. Getting more excited to see if they set mature ears or if the variegation screws with the reproductive capabilities.
Near the end of the day, Piper and I took a break in the shade to have a beer and a rest from the sun and work. I suppose I will get more done tomorrow, but 9 hours ended up being my limit for time in the sun today. Happy Independence day to all of you. My body is physically done for now and time just for a break.
