What's Growing

What's not growing in the potager this month is squash. I did manage to harvest a few patty pan squash and will grow this again with more diligence. If I had paid closer attention I might have been able to save it. The price for my blinding neglect? Squash vine borer. It is my first year growing squash. I haven't before since it is so readily available at the Amish farms, but I just love the flowers and rarely see the patty pan variety. Big heavy sigh – at least I enjoyed a few. May all this year's squash rest in peace.

Last month I complained that my lettuces were ridden with insect holes. This month I now know I have flea beetles. Next year I will plan to plant my greens in between rows of garlic – a natural repellent plant. On the sunny side, maybe these beetles will attract a toad – a natural predator.

I have just harvested the garlic and more beets. Lots of beets.

Garlic chives are also blooming now.

The tomatoes are turning red and it's a daily cherry tomato harvest.

I have to say that this year my favorite crop is the tomatillos although they are sprawling all over the ground. Next year I will have to grow them with support. Tonight it's black beans with tomatillo salsa.

I even have jalapeno peppers this year to add to my salsa! The sweet pimento lipstick peppers are looking good but should turn red at the tips. Same goes for the cayenne peppers.

The basil isn't affected by the flea beetles at all. This week we had fresh pesto for dinner.

The Scarlet Runner Beans are now producing. They and Exotic Love Vine are now twining along the roof of the rustic arbor, but still no flowers on the Love Vine. This year I planted a Trumpet Vine at the base of the arbor. With our short season I am running out of patience with annual vines. I want flowers!

What's Growing

Things are taller, fuller, bigger ... bolting, wilting, shriveling in the potager this month.

Greens, greens, greens! Mustard is looking good as are Broccoli Rabe and Swiss Chard. My lettuce mixes are suffering from the heat and lack of rain. This year my greens seem to be ridden with insect bites, more so than usual.

Some of the Chinese Cabbage and Kale bolted but I cut off the flowers with the hope that more leaves develop.

The squash has begun to flower. The bees scramble over one another to reach their pollen but of course conveniently disappear before the camera. Patty Pan or Scallop Squash has already been served for dinner. It's delicious and I will grow more next year.

Beans, beans, beans! Purple beans are also on the dinner menu. The Soy Beans are looking great - their leaves are very fuzzy and fun. I always have to rub them when I walk by. The Scarlet Runner Beans have finally reached the roof of the rustic arbor and are loaded with flowers.

Borage is also beginning to flower. I love these flowers, especially in my salads.

Also flowering are peppers! It's the first time I have been successful with peppers. I have tiny Jalepeno, Cayenne and sweet Lipstick peppers beginning. The tomatillos have been flowering and are now beginning to form. I just love the way these look but it won't stop me from picking them.

I have lots of green tomatoes ... c'mon turn red, red, red!

Beets for tonight!

Today should be the last of this heat wave. After our spring I never thought I would say this but I wish it would rain! I have watered the garden often but the soil is still dry and even cracking in some places. A new rain barrel is sitting in my shed waiting to be installed.

What's Growing (The Plan)

I spent most of the day yesterday planning my potager as the snow continued (and continues) to fly. I'm going to order seeds to make it a brighter day. So, here's the plan:

Every year I sketch out my plan so that I can rotate crops and also companion plant where I can. Of course, I am expanding some of the beds (where I've marked new).

New things I am going to try this year: broccoli raab, veronica cauliflower, some new varieties of mustard greens, chinese choy and cabbage, scallop squash, dragon carrots, soy bean, tomatillos, and peppers. I have never had luck with peppers so this year I am going to pack them in and really concentrate on them. Both my husband and I enjoy spicy foods and hot peppers add such wonderful flavor. Any advice from you professional pepper growers would be much appreciated.

Now if the snow would just stop flying and begin to melt instead!