It's been a good week in the garden. We had some rain. Not a deluge, just a pleasant little shower off and on for an evening and part of a day. I was so overjoyed by it all I ran outside with an upturned face and just let those precious raindrops course all over me!
All the potatoes have been harvested now. Wish I'd photographed the tiny bag I planted earlier in the year--one of those small mesh bags with about four potatoes each, of three different types. I always plant seed potatoes that are virus free. |
It worked! About 40 lbs of beautiful potatoes! Next year I'm planning to have the whole bed topped with bags for this crop.
Dealing with drought
We're suffering through a hot and horrible drought here, and are on stage four watering restriction. That translates to no outdoor watering from municipal water. A rain barrel is high on my list of priorities. In the meantime, every bit of water that can be saved is being used for the few veggies still able to be carefully hand watered.
I harvested a lovely buttercup squash this week, and still have another one in the vine. I'm also very unwilling to sacrifice two developing gorgeous Queensland Blue winter squash that I grew from seed.
Which to water and which to let go
I'm even questioning my watering of the passion fruit vine. Hundreds of beautiful flowers, but only two fruits? The trees might have to come ahead of it in importance. Many of the ornamentals will probably not survive our watering situation either, but I have to pick my battles. It's not my favorite thing to do.
One thing I've really learned to love is my lemon grass! The stalks are just starting to get really fat and long, but I've been enjoying it for a while now in my drinking water. Now I'm thinking of some nice Thai recipes, as soon as the weather cools down! That lemon scent and taste are incredible when you pick it straight from the garden; so different from the sad stalks you often see at the supermarket.
Wishing you a safe and prosperous week!
Vicki