The Modern Victory Garden

The weather has been cooler this week but unfortunately it did not bring any rain to speak of - so no let up on the watering is in sight.   It is supposed to warm back up considerably starting today.   While that is NOT good news as it relates to my escalating watering chores, it IS good news for the first tomatoes that I have ripening at the moment.   My first ripe tomato is almost there but I am leaving it on the vine to get really sun ripened before I enjoy eating the first tomato of the season.   A little warm weather will push that to conclusion quickly.   It will also benefit my mini bell peppers in the greenhouse that are now getting quite a good fruit set on them.         

This morning I did a quick walk through of the garden to assess what should be my priorities for the coming weekend.   I noticed that the garlic appears ready to pull and cure and that the multiplier onions have started their dry down process as well.   I also noticed that the "Bodacious" corn is starting to tassle.   These corn plants are not as tall and robust as I would expect - but they seem generally healthy and appear to be moving to ear production soon.   The "Precocious" corn is following about two weeks behind the "Bodacious" crop.              

I also noticed that the cole crops enjoyed having a few days of cooler temps.   The brussel sprouts are getting some good size on them.           

These plants have the first tiny sprout buds forming at the stem/leaf junctures.   The "Ruby Ball" cabbage is looking good too, with the main head forming well.     

So after my Friday morning garden walkabout - here is what I think I need to put on the priority list of maintenance tasks for the coming weekend:

• Pull garlic and lay out to cure (Done 7/11/09)
• Pull multiplier onions and lay out to cure (Done 7/11/09)
• Water everything (again) (Done 7/12/09)
• Amend and prep the bed the peas were in previously - compost and fertilizer (broccoli and kohlrabi starts to go here) (Done 7/11/09)
• Plant broccoli and kohlrabi starts that have been hardening off outside this week (Done 7/11/09)
• Start a new compost bin going (Done 7/11/09)

I will update this as the weekend progresses to note progress on the list of "to do" items.