New Compost Bin

Yesterday I went to Fresh Start Market to buy two compost bins. I've noticed more and more plastic in the compost I've been getting and decided it's time to make my own again. Unfortunately, they have sold out of the bins. But they did have some small bags of compost on sale for $1.50 each, so I bought ten. Then today I set to work making a compost bin. I have a roll of 28" fencing, so I made a circle with that. But the holes are big enough to allow critters (rats!) to get in, so I lined it with 1/2 inch hardware cloth. I secured it with three 2 foot rebar stakes. I still don't have a top on it, but I'm working on that, mostly to keep raccoons out. I have lots more fence left, so if I need to I can add a second level.

Still More Fall Planting

I've sown rutabagas and turnips for fall and winter harvest. I'm not sure if we really like them, so I didn't put in too many. I still have to find a place for spinach.

Going on the advice of Craig Lehollier, the Tomato Guy, I dug up four of my pepper plants that weren't doing much and put them in five gallon plastic pots. We'll see how they do.

We're very close to having our first Stupice tomato. And I picked all the remaining Ubileen pears. They've been falling and have been eaten by squirrels. I assumed the squirrels caused them to fall, but I checked and they are ready to pick. There aren't may of them (twelve), but they're huge.

More Fall Planting

I sowed a patch of snap peas (bush type) in the squash bed. I also sowed a row of kohlrabi and a row of beets, one on each side of the asparagus bed. And I sowed the last two rows of carrots.

I've harvested the last of the cabbage. One head had split, but the rest are fine. I made three more jars of sauerkraut, plus I left some for cole slaw and stir fries.

The weather has become very summerlike, with highs mostly in the 80s. The cherry tomatoes are ripening, but so far no other tomatoes. There's one cucumber about three inches long and an aubergine about two inches long. And I found the first tiny green bean. I've had to extend the bean trellis with some string. I hope it's enough.

We're getting lots of zucchini now, and the Delicata squash is finally being pollinated.

Getting Ready for Fall

Today I set up a seedling bed under the peach tree. I added some potting soil and compost and sowed a row each of cabbage, Chinese cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower. I'm hoping that by the time they're ready to transplant I'll have some place to put them. Right now I'm not so sure.

After the first two cherry tomatoes disappeared(!) I put a ring of 24" hardware cloth around the plant. We now have another tomato almost ready. We'll see if the wire stops any further theft.

Things are still moving slowly with the lack of sun and heat, but it looks like we have a good week ahead of us.