New Herb Bed

Today I dug out all the raspberries to take to Dave and Marna.  Then I fertilized the bed and planted a row of garlic.  Next I moved my herbs from against the back of the house into the new bed.  I now have sage, parsley, marjoram, oregano, thyme, and chives.  Next spring I'll put in some dill.  Maybe something else, who knows.

I also dug up the Beckyberries, boysenberries, and four blueberry bushes to take to Dave.

Beckyberries and Boysenberries Trimmed

I've now trimmed all the Beckyberries and Boysenberries down to the ground.  There are no leaves, which means no stinkbugs, but it may also mean no more berry bushes.  There is a chance they may not come back.  It's drastic, but it seems like the only way to get a handle on the stinkbugs.  As soon as the yard waste can is empty I'll do the same with the raspberries.

Lots of Happenings

The battle of the stink bugs continues.  They have started in on the beans, so I've pulled out the bush beans a bit early.  The pole beans are still there, although we haven't picked any yet.  I'm trying to keep them clear of the little beasts.  Here is where the bush beans were.  I've now sown some kohlrabi.

And here is where the bush beans are, along with lots of stink bugs.  I'm hoping they'll all bake, and then in a few days I can dump them into the yard waste.

My plan for next year is to grow only bush beans, maybe three small plantings, and cover them with netting. 

The black zucchini is not looking good.  The leaves are turning yellow and drying.  I would say maybe they aren't getting enough water, but the yellow squash is very healthy.

In the last couple of days I've started rutabagas and parsnips in the bed where I harvested the garlic.  I've also started several more rows of carrots and four six packs of kohlrabi.  I've finally picked some ripe tomatoes (Stupice) and there are lots of peppers.  There are also a couple of Japanese aubergines that look ready. 

The Beckyberries and boysenberries are finished, and the blueberries are winding down.  They all ripened earlier than usual with the heat we've had. 

Boysenberries

We picked our first boysenberries today -- one for each of us.  They're yummy.  They are from the thornless one.  The one with thorns is quite a bit behind it.  But the Beckyberries are close.

The pole beans have finally figured out that the bamboo poles are there for them to climb on.

Blooming Things

The Turkish poppies have started blooming.  There are only a few plants, and each flower lasts just one day.  But I still love them.

 The Grayswood Pink cistus has also started blooming.

 The Beckyberries are blooming.

 As are the thornless Boysenberries.