August 27th, 2007 - Garden cleanup
This weekend, we finally took care of some needed garden tasks.
* Eric staked up two tomato cages that had fallen over. I first noticed them while my parents were visiting 3 weeks ago. Planned to take care of it over the weekend. That’s when we got sick with strep. By the time we felt better, it was raining all the time.
* I trimmed the tomatoes, too. Now it doesn’t look like such a jungle. Dad said I should take out suckers (the 3rd “branch” that appears in some intersections). There was so much foliage, that I hardly found any suckers, I just chopped off the stuff that was exceedingly long. I figured it would help keep any more cages from falling over AND provide sunlight to hidden tomatoes.
* We staked the sunflowers. At Fleet Farm, I checked out the garden clearance and found wooden 6′ stakes for 90 cents. I picked up 6. Eric pounded two into the sunflower row and I tied up 4 or 5 of the large flowers that were falling over. The heads are so heavy, they just can’t stand up. The ones near the fence I just leaned over the fence–it’s the perfect height! There are two more with small heads that may need to be staked. I used garden twine; I’m afraid it might cut through the stem. If so, at least I’ll learn for next year. I’m sure the 6 by the fence will be plenty of seed. And some seeds have matured on the staked ones already. Maggie liked them–she ate three!
* I cut off more gourd and pumpkin vine. Still need to get out to the front to cut those off. I just can’t get over how much they grow! I am NOT planting either one next year. (Unless I buy bush pumpkin. I would try that. Or we might just get a share in Catleanna’s CSA. They include a couple pumpkins!)
There are plenty of tomatoes ripening. I made salsa but burned it. I made tomota basil sauce but we didn’t like it. Got a recipe from Mom for another pasta sauce that I will try tonight. Also need to make another batch of salsa–I’m holding out for the jalepenos to ripen further first.
The drying beans haven’t dried out from the rain. I hoped they would today–three days of no rain. But it’s pouring right now! Argh. I might have to just bring them indoors to dry now. With I’d done so yesterday. The Cherokee Trail of Tears are starting to dry as well.
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