Harvest between the storms

We've got a series of showers and thunderstorms rolling through but I managed to get out and get 13lbs or so more of produce yesterday morning.

The plum tomatoes to the left are from the Growboxes. They are still neck and neck with the Squarefoot gardening technique (17 and 18 lbs respectively) except...

...there are only two plants in the grow box, versus 3 in the Squarefoot garden! So the Growbox appears to be 1/3 more productive. It's looking like next year more of the Growboxes will be devoted to tomatoes in order to maximize yield.

In other news, there at least a couple butternut squashes that are growing. I hope there is enough time for them.

I also spotted a tiny acorn squash and an even smaller watermelon. I don't think the melon will make it before frost but we'll see.

A globe eggplant is growing nicely. In my limited experience, eggplant do very well at the end of the season.

I am already planning to expand for next year, but that will require the relocation of some of the perennials to the front or donating them to friends.

Now I'm off to do some tidying up. There are parts that are completely out of control heat and rain aren't just good for the vegetables. But that is a different post.

I leave you with an "art shot."

Future pickle

Until next time, Keep Digging & Eat Well!

The Gastronomic Gardener
Garden blog http://amidwestgarden.blogspot.com/
Cooking blog http://ihopeyouarehungry.blogspot.com/
Twitter - @gastrogardener
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Garden Update

It's been a busy couple days in the garden. The heat has finally broken and I can get outside without melting. What's Happening?

One Growbox is done, the zucchini and cucumbers succumbed to powdery mildew, there were no blossoms active so out they came.

In the Squarefoot bed, the squash is turning into "Frankensquash." The normal stem has  turned more ribbon like and there is a large cluster of tiny squashes. Have yours done this?

I cleaned out some "squares" and added more soil mix (1/3 each by volume, peat, vermiculite and manure). I got a nice little surprise when cleaning out one of the squares that I had grown green onions. These little treasure were hiding under the soil.

I put in carrots, beets, radish, lettuce, bush beans,kale and bok choi. Hopefully we'll get something from them. Here's a couple squares.

We've been getting good harvests and the cucumbers in particular keep on coming. Almost to 50 lbs from three plants. Well, two plants now. I know  it's normal, but I still am thrilled to pick a few pounds one night, go out the next and get another three plus pounds. It makes me happy.

Picked some peppers yesterday. I'm a little paranoid to let them go all the way on the vine. Seem like when I do, some critter gets to them or they rot or in some way become unusable. Not happening this year. I'll pick a little early and be sure to have something to eat.

These peppers are big. In my hand for scale.

I also picked a couple of the giant marconis. The big one is 8" long.

Are you planting fall crops? When are your frost dates?

Until next time, Keep Digging & Eat Well!

The Gastronomic Gardener
Garden blog http://amidwestgarden.blogspot.com/
Cooking blog http://ihopeyouarehungry.blogspot.com/
Twitter - @gastrogardener
http://www.facebook.com/TheGastronomicGardener
email: thegastronomicgardener at gmail dot com

Tuesday Harvest 15 lbs of goodness

I suppose it is the IT  manager in me that wants to measure, to compare, to categorize. Maybe some day I  will be able to be a bit more mellow about it and roll smoothly with good and bad instead of hyper-analyzing what is happening. But as it is only the second year, I think it'll have to wait.

Tonight was a good harvest. The tomatoes are coming in fast. Sadly the Dark Prince seem prone to splitting, while the Celebrity are not so much. There has been some BER in the Romas but it has not been terrible. The romas are clearly determinate, they are coming all at once. Sauce or salsa is in the immediate future.

By the way tonight had 5# 11.4 oz of tomatoes from the SFG, and 5#6oz from the Growboxes. They continue neck and neck.

Anyway, here is the bounty.

Until next time, Keep Digging & Eat Well!

The Gastronomic Gardener
Garden blog http://amidwestgarden.blogspot.com/
Cooking blog http://ihopeyouarehungry.blogspot.com/
Twitter - www.twitter.com/DavidPOffutt
http://www.facebook.com/TheGastronomicGardener
email: thegastronomicgardener at gmail dot com

Growing method Comparison - Early August

When we last looked at the different growing techniques, there was not a big difference between between the Growboxes and the Squarefoot gardening methods.

As of this weekend, there is also not a huge difference in production, but there is a surprise.

The Growboxes are still lush but the cucumbers seem to be slowing down and yellowing.

Growboxes do require daily filling of the water reservoir in hot weather. The tomatoes are doing pretty well but I'm finding there is some BER which is a little surprising considering there are nutrients in the covers.  One thing I have learned is next year I will have to stake them up. The jalapenos are loaded and flopping over as well.

The square foot garden is going like crazy!

The cucumbers show no sign of slowing down.

I have no pictures of the veggie plot but it is a neglected mess. But it's not all about looks. It's about production.

So far to compare the tomato production:

Squarefoot garden:   8.28 lbs
Growbox                   6.90 lbs
Veggie plot                8.81 lbs

Grow box could catch up with two tomatoes, they are big. The veggie plot, I'm harvesting them green as any that start to ripen rot, or are pillaged by some critters.

So the verdict is still out.

In other news, the Brussels sprouts are sprouting.

I removed the last of the carrots, radishes, and beets. I'll be putting in some fall crops this weekend.

How does your garden grow?

Until next time, Keep Digging & Eat Well!

The Gastronomic Gardener
Garden blog http://amidwestgarden.blogspot.com/
Cooking blog http://ihopeyouarehungry.blogspot.com/
Twitter - www.twitter.com/DavidPOffutt






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