The rest of the garden is enduring summer heat. The indian popcorn is showing tassles, zucchini are drying up, bell peppers are doing great, Hubbard squash look to be ripe, and there are some lima beans setting. We still have carrots but they are starting to get tough and spouting big tops to make seed.
We had a minor infestation of squash bugs show up on the Hubbard so had to break out an insecticide spray for the first time. Also noticed a couple of tomato horn worms this past weekend, but we've rarely had to do anything about them as the summer heat puts an end to the tomato patch before they really become a problem.
Last of all the grapes are all turning color and will soon be ready for harvest. We had an unfortunate experience this year with skeletonizers. They at first seemed to be under control from the systemic pesticide we typically use, but after three weeks of not paying attention we found several vines severely damaged and had to remove about 50% of the grape clusters, hoping they will still have the energy to sweeten the remaining crop. No leaves, no solar energy conversion into sugar. If that doesn't teach you to be diligent and monitor things once a week I don't know what will.
All in all a great garden so far this year that will meet our needs. Oh, and the onions and garlic are fantastic, and the kiwi are getting larger and starting to climb the trellis we made for them. Can't wait to have our own fresh kiwi!
