Gearing Up For Fall

It's hard to think about fall in the midst of this brutal summer, but it's right around the corner in gardening years. Last week I picked up cedar for my new raised beds and last weekend my friend Rudy helped me build them. I have three new 2"X12" 4'X10' beds. We made them w/ the mortis and tenon style to match my other beds.

I also built a new bean tent. My neighbor gave me some fencing from a dog run she had in the back yard. It was made of thick gage wire and pressure-treated pine. Obviously the pine wasn't going in the veggie garden, so I cut the wood off and will have enough wire for 3 tents in total. I put the beans where the zucchini used to be. The squash-vine borers hit again and I just didn't have the energy to fend them off. Plus, the zucchini was coming in really hard, which I read can happen when the plant gets too established.

This week I trimmed back the tomatoes. The brandywine had stopped producing, the romas are almost done, and the cherries are still producing quite a bit, but the flavor is severely lacking. I also planted 4 new bell pepper plants in place of the swiss chard that was desimated by caterpillars.

Tonight I plan on planting some seeds. I have kohlrabi, radishes and lettuce. I still need to pick up more, but it's a start.

I included a picture of the okra, just because it deserves the spotlight. These plants have been solid producers through this heat. I've been eating them, pickling them, and giving a ton away. I will definitely be repeating these!