It's a Jungle Out There!

 
We've had a couple of cloudy days, and that means slightly cooler temps -- of course, saying that it's been "cooler" is being generous. It was 90-95 instead of 100-105. But still, cooler just the same. That's all about to change, so I thought I'd better document the garden before it shrivels up from the blazing HOT sunshine we're about to endure in August.

 
Here's a rough sketch to give you an idea of what's where. If you click on this image, it will display much larger for you, and hopefully you can read my chicken scratch handwriting.

 
I had to put up a last minute make-shift trellis for the cucumbers that have overtaken the place. I planted them along the fence thinking they would trellis up the fence. But nooooooo, 90% of them decided to grow out into the grass, making it difficult to find the cucumbers. So, before they got too out of control, I put up a string trellis and started them growing UP! I purposely left the string of the trellis rather loose, so I could still reach through and get to the plants closer to the fence. Believe it or not, there are pole beans growing up the fence (as well as up a handful of mammoth sunflowers), and I'll need to be able to reach through to pick the beans.

 
These two cucumbers thought they were hiding from me.... not likely! They're about to be made into pickles!

 
Here you can see how far the trellis is from the fence. So far I haven't had trouble getting to the farthest back branches -- we'll see if I continue to have good luck with it. If it starts to get challenging, I can always reach my hands through the fence from inside the chicken yard. See those sunflowers in the background? They're nearly taller than the coop! The tallest is about 10' tall!

 
Here's another cucumber that decided to grow inside the chicken yard. Brave little cucumber, brave.

 
On the other side of the coop, things are just as out of control.

 
The squash has completely out grown the boundaries of the raised bed it's planted in. You can see where the corners of the raised bed are -- they're marked with the stakes. So much for having 3' walkways between the beds! Behind the squash pit is a raised bed of beans and more sunflowers, and then of course the corn bed.

 
The other side of the squash pit is just as crazy. And the plants are putting on blooms like you wouldn't believe! I think we're going to be in squash heaven soon... I can't wait for all the sunflowers to open up as well! I planted them in the center of the squash pit, knowing they'd be able to grow up from the center without disturbing the squash plants.

 
There are also a few cucumber plants in the squash pit, too. Cucumbers everywhere, I tell you! Even in the corn!

 
The corn bloomed and covered everything in the area with corn pollen. If you look closely, you can see that we even have some ears of corn on the stalks! Very exciting! They've got pretty red tassels. We had a big gust of wind come through yesterday , and it really put a lean on the corn. I strung a wire between two corner posts on the raised bed, and that helped keep the corn from being blown over completely. Today it's standing up nice, straight and tall again.

 
Directly behind the bean and corn beds is a watermelon plant, followed by a row of pepper plants. The peppers looked really sorry for a long while, and are just now starting to look like they might actually produce some peppers. A few of the plants have little peppers on them, and others are just starting to put on blooms. Like everything, they got a little late start, but that's ok... better late than never!

 
Behind the row of peppers is a row of tomato plants that have yet to be found by the hornworms. Cross your fingers that they stay hidden from those buggers! Oh, and see that squash plant that LOOKS like it's in the same row as the tomatoes? Well, it's not. But it is taking over... it has grown so far away from it's own row that it is now at the end of the tomatoes, and moving it's way towards the end of the pepper row! I wonder, will it ever stop!? There is a pumpkin vine, and watermelon vine, working their way past those rows, too. They're on the move.

 
Behind the tomatoes are two rows of yellow squash, and then the pumpkins and watermelon plants! They are really growing! They have sent long runners up about half the length of the garden. I had to mow an area next to the garden so I could direct the pumpkin runners to the open area, instead of letting them take over the tomato, squash, and pepper rows. Every day looks different in the garden. Things are growing so fast, considering these plants weren't even started until June!

 
I've got big melons! *Hahahaa* Ok -- seriously, the cantaloupes are growing!

 
I am very excited about the sunflowers, too. I've never really had good luck growing sunflowers, and this year it seems like they're doing great! I love the cheery spots of color they add.

 
I love that they stand tall along the chicken yard fence, and provide a natural shade for the ducks and chickens to enjoy. And the Wheelie bugs like them, too!

 
Oh, and this pretty flower is blooming in the garden too... anyone know what it is? I only planted Four o'Clocks and nasturtiums in the garden, and this is neither. I wonder if it was a misplaced seed in one of the packets. Everything about this plant is somewhat sticky. The flowers are pretty large ... not quite 2" wide. UPDATE: Thanks to a WONDERFUL blog reader, Carol Dee, for identifying this flower as a WEED! Hahaa! Just my luck! Seems it's a Martynia, often called Devil's Claw or Unicorn Plant, from the Pedaliaceae family. Thanks so much Carol! How interesting!

 
Finally, here's a photo especially for my friend Jennifer..... *giggle* Here's lookin' at you!

Comments

[peg]

Your garden looks great! I can help you with your out of control cucumbers for next year. I also put my cucumbers on a trellis, the secret is you have to guide them up the trellis. I use cattle panels, cut one in half and attatch the 2 halves to long poles. It is about 12-14 feet high and about 6 feet wide. From your pictures it looks like you could use your fence in this same manner. My cucumbers are at the top of the panels and coming over the other side. The way I attatch the plants is get those little plastic pull ties and attatch the plants as they grow up. You will be happy with the results, I promise!

[DK Wight]

It looks like you got some knarly firtilizer in them tubs cause the ground around them is not so good! We dont have a garden here at home only Deer and turkeys in the front yard. Who's gonna harvest when you are not home? Maybe Betty?........ Love, Dad

[Shellie Daniel]

Oh, I love your garden update! It truly is a growing jungle! Your funny comments make me chuckle. :)

[Lora]

Looks beautiful, Anna! Good job! Did Alan help?

[Elaine Moore]

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful garden with us - I want one so badly. At least I can enjoy yours

[Kellie]

Wowzer!!! your garden is beautiful..your greens are just HUGE..can't believe how big/green things are..our garden is ...doing..not as well as i'd like,,but its coming along..
OHHHH you have four o'clocks?????? we had them as a kid growing up..never seen the seeds for sale..ever...I miss those flowers..any chance you could mail me some? I will gladly pay you!!! ohhh..they were the coolest flowers..well..not that cool.but they just bring back memories..or let me know where you bought them from..
beautiful everything Anna....

[Kelly Bee]

soooo jealous! I don't live in a climate that's very good for gardening...weather is too mild and the season is too short...I bet all your veggies taste delicious!

[Jennifer K.]

Love your pictures - you have a magic touch with all of your plants, they look great! But.....NO MORE MR. GRASSHOPPER PICTURES PLEASE!! :)

[Carol Dee]

ANNA
Me again, check your e-mail.
I sent a plant discription and picture of your "Unicorn Plant" from my very well worn copy of "Reader's Digest: North American Wildlife" I keep it handy as I can then identify most birds, mammals, wildflowers, fungus and trees of North America. Cool. :)
Hugs...CAROL DEE

[Old Nebraska Dave]

All the vining garden plants seem to be outdoing themselves this year. My cucumbers are becoming the bully of the garden. Their little tendrils are reaching out to touch anything they can. I have constant battle to keep their life choking little vines away from my tomatoes. I too have discovered that they require the containment of a double climbing barrier. For me it's too late for this year but next year you can bet I'll be containing those rascals a little better.

[Carol Dee]

Oh My... Mary, Mary Quite contrary how does your garden grow! Very Well, from the looks of it. Holy Cow, do those vines like you soil and heat or what!?!? Love the sketch. It made me smile, It is done in "Anna style". CUTE. Just like you. Hugs...

[Roberta Smith]

Your garden is amazing!! I took a closer look at your sketch and actually read "H2O Melon" it took me a couple of seconds to realize what an H2O melon really was! Too funny.

[diane mcvey]

B*E*A*U*T*I*F*U*L* !!! Your gardens are doing just GREAT! I am in awe of how good it looks, for hot, hot TX! Do you have access to a water hose to keep them hydrated when it doesn't rain?? It sure looks like you must! Everything looks SO good, and I know you and Alan will certainly enjoy all the fruits of your labor! I love sauteed yellow squash, and also squash casserole. YUM! You will have them all summer, fall, and hopefully some in the freezer for winter! I'm sure you will be so glad to see them later on!
You have a magnificent garden, and thanks for the wonderful pix. FANTASTIC! Thanks for sharing with us....loved each and every one of them! :D

[kathynruss]

So long as Audrey II is not hiding in there somewhere, it looks terrific. Veggie gardens in Central Florida are long done with till planting in Sept. for Fall/Winter harvesting. Looks like you will be in pickle and squash heaven!