Last of the Melons

We had to pull the last of the cantaloupes, since the vines were drying up and dying.  The largest one looks like it could have used a little more ripening, but the vine was going to have it!

Also pulled out the last of the summer squash, zucchini, sunflowers and 1 dead banana pepper plant.  That compost pile is piled high!  Time to give it a turn!

We hung the sunflower heads of the deck to dry before removing the seeds.  We're planning a split between the family and the birds!

Cooler Temps and Tomatoes

Praise the Lord, we're finally getting a cooler spell.  I've needed to get out the garden to tie up tomatoes, trim some back, weed, feed and harvest.  It's been so hot, I've done the bare minimum. This weekend with temps in the high 80's I can really spend some quality time there.

Meanwhile I checked on some of heirloom tomatoes on 8-5, there just starting to ripen as I planted them on 5-19 vs. the Early Girls and Bradley that were planted 4-18.

The Pink Brandywines are starting to ripen up nicely.  The plants are full of green fruit.

The Mountain Prides have already given about 4 tomatoes and plenty more are getting close.

The German Queens are just starting to ripen and some of them are HUGE!

Looks like spaghetti sauce and salsa are in my future!

Cantaloupes

The rest of the melons look like they will all ripen at the same time.  I wish it was going to be a little more spread out, but I'll take what I can get!    

The Beginnings of My Fall Acorn Squash

I planted seeds on June 17th for Acorn and Butternut squash for the fall.  Both sets of vines are getting large.

And then this is one month later

This is 7-24  and 7/29

And now the beginnings of the little squashes themselves!  This is from 8-5

So exciting!  I've never grown fall squash before!

Sweet Red Pepper

My Sweet Red Peppers are finally turning red.  It seems to have taken forever (it's been the same size for a LONG time)!  Sometimes I'm just SO impatient

Whew....the heat......

Wow, another scorcher today.  More watering tonight.  I've been putting off fertilizing in this heat (fish emulsion) hoping for a slightly cooler day, but I really am getting behind schedule.  There's a slim chance of rain in the forecast for tomorrow.  I'll pray for it to happen!

The happy looking sunflowers continue to tower over the fence as though looking out at the road!

Cantaloupes, Peppers and Tomatoes, oh my...

We have now picked 3 melons from the garden and ate 1 today for lunch.  Very sweet!

Also picked the first Pink Brandywine tomatoes of the season.  I had to slice one right away and eat it with a little salt!

Still getting boatloads of peppers too.  I think I see more canning in my future.

We will probably get the dehydrator running today to dry some herbs and maybe some of the veggies too.  I've never dried many veggies so this should be an experience!