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[Leslie <cayadopi AT yahoo.com>]

Really?  OK, then I'll let them all grow... there are a few out there where 
there are only 6" between each melon.  I've been trying to train the vines to 
grow a certain way, so that I have walking spaces down the row.  I measured 
out the rows so carefully, and somehow all that extra space has been 
disappearing this past 10 days.  The melons grew right thru the rabbit fence 
and have escaped the garden... LOL.
 
I thought I had thoroughly picked beans on Friday and thought I could take 
today off from the garden.... so I was up on a 25' ladder painting, and got 
tired of that and decided to check the beans........... YIKES !  Over half a 
plastic grocery bag...... and I didn't think those would be ready until 
tomorrow.
 
I take my words back,,,, weeding was easier than picking beans !!!  I can't 
get over how many beans can grow on a single plant or how fast they get big 
enough to pick.  
 
Dug up a few more potatoes today, finally some really decent sized ones (as 
in big enough that I can't can them without cutting them up).  Guess they are 
still growing even though it's been hot this week.  And it is really crazy, 
because the biggest potatoes are growing in the worst soil conditions....
 
I hope every year growing food is as rewarding....  It is hard to explain to 
my 'city friends' that I can't wait to wake up to see what I get to harvest 
and eat for the day....
 
And I'm really greatful that all the various varieties of bees just "move 
over" to another plant when I'm fiddling around the garden plants... I don't 
like getting stung.
 
Tomorrow I'm cooking dinner for the family, everything except the meat, salt 
& black pepper, will be fresh picked from the garden.
 
I beginning to think I'm actually having some beginners luck........
 
 

 


My watermelon never seem to care how crowded they get as long as I don't 
walk on them when I'm watering, that is <g>  I just make sure there is 
plenty of compost/mulch and keep them well watered.

Lynda
"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored."  Aldous Huxley




>From waltonrp AT gmail.com  Mon Jul  6 21:49:43 2009
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Subject: [Homestead] Summer happenings
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X-List-Received-Date: Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:49:44 -0000

Hey all,

Summer is dead on and it's been busy around here. I've got several acres
under cultivation now, mostly cover crops to continue the rehabilitation
program. I'm really looking at making most of my place pasture or hay
fields. I've got a small piece I'm putting to bee pasture and may keep an
acre or less for growing crops. I'm going to get another garden plot up and
running for rotation and big crops like corn.

I've got lots of Sudan grass cover going this year, I'll keep my fingers
crossed that it rains and that the Sudan grass does the job of breaking up
soil and makes lots of organic material.

My few acres that are in pasture now are poor, but producing since up till
now its rained. Goats can't keep up. I bought 2 holstein bull calves at the
auction last week. They take care of the problem of what to do with the goat
milk. I'm bored with making cheese, might do some in fall. I'll steer these
calves once they get started and they will definately be able to help with
the pasture next year. Hay should be cheap this year, I'm going to try to
get a few rolls bought right away so I'll be ready. I may plant some rye and
whatnot for winter pasture, too.

One of my milk goats came into heat a couple of weeks ago, I let her spend
the day with the billy, so if all works out, she'll freshen at the end of
November. That would be great, cause the others will be drying off then. It
would be nice to have milk year round.

Garden is giving. Been eating good and putting up some stuff. Still no
tomatoes. I think they take longer when they are not staked, but the vines
are good and full of green tomatoes. My onions are great this year. I swear
by growing them from seed, the only ones that are not great are the ones
from sets. I'm just eating them green.

Melons look good, have some more green beans that will be in soon. I also
finally planted some soybeans, so if they do ok will be eating endame. I
like that. It's good frozen. Beets were mostly a bust, but I have a few.
Carrots were mostly a bust, but they always are. Lettuce did not do well for
me this year.

Just had a spare moment and thought I'd share, if any anyone else cares to,
I'm interested. If not, I understand - it's a busy time.

Rob - Va