Finally! We actually got two days in a row of 80+ degree days, even though the nights are still in the 40s. In the four days since I blogged about my tomatoes:
Most of them have actually grown 3"-4" in height. The Sun Sugar went from 18" to 22".
The lilies have begun to blossom.
The Sweet Williams are blooming, too. This is their first year.
The sugar snap peas are now 4' high.
They are finally going to blossom (arrows will help you find the buds)! I should have been picking mature pods by now, but the weather hasn't been cooperating.
Some of the bush beans are finally beginning to grow. These are the Royal Burgundy, which seemed to be more cold hardy than the other varieties, most of which had to be re-seeded due to damping off. A new planting of carrots is under the boards at the back of this bed, the seeds being protected from the hot sun and drying winds until they sprout.
The spinach began to bolt, so I pulled it all, harvested the good leaves, blanched and froze them, then composted what remained. I found no leaf miner damage or eggs on it at all, even though the beets and chard, in the same bed under netting, are showing some.
The new batch of chive blossom vinegar has been strained and bottled. It's much prettier than the first batch, possibly because I used more mature blossoms and more of them. It's rose colored rather than orange-ish, like the first batch. We have used some of the first bottle in a salad dressing, and it was very good. There wasn't a strong chive flavor, we thought it was just right.
Uh oh. Now that you have gotten your heat back, you might just start harvesting more than I am. But we are getting some heat too. We might even get in the high 90s one day next week. I liked this last week better. I just hate air conditioning. I like the doors and windows open so I can hear the birds sing.
ReplyDeleteLooking good Granny! Send some of that warm weather down my way. I think we are going to have another mild summer this year.
ReplyDeleteDaphne, I see nothing but lettuce and broccoli in my near future! I'm inundated with lettuce, and might have to toss some in the compost to make room for the better varieties that are ready. I have space opening up in the garden, and can't decide what to plant. Not enough room for squash, I'm already ahead in beans, and I've planted carrots everywhere feasible.
ReplyDeleteI'm a door/window opener, too. I seldom run the AC.
********
Liisa, thanks. It's 85.5 here right now, but completely overcast. If the sun were out, it would probably be 90-100! It sure looks like rain....again.
Looks great Granny! Our August heat wave ended a couple of days ago....thank goodness!! Mid to high 90's is a bit too much! Now I just wish that it would rain a bit.
ReplyDeleteThat chive blossom vinegar is just beautiful. I will have to make some as soon as my chives bloom again.
That vinegar looks so pretty! I am hoping my nasturtium blooms soon so I can make my dill vinegar, I just love the way the blossoms look in the jar, and my pansies are dying from the heat already!
ReplyDeleteErin, I never thought of putting nasturtium blossoms into the vinegar. I guess I'm going to have to play with vinegars this year :-)
ReplyDeleteRobin, it was cloudy here all day, looks like we could get a thunder-boomer tonight.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding me I need to cut my chives back before they all go to seed!
All this talk about open doors and windows is making me envious. We've been in the mid-90's for over a week, hot and hazy. A teeny thunderstorm moved through a little while ago and it's cooler, temporarily. No rain to speak of.
ReplyDeleteThe garden and the vinegar are beautiful!
Dianefaith, we'll be there soon enough! This is normally a really hot part of the country, we should have been up in the 80s last month. Our normal lows for this time of year are mid-50s, and we've not been out of the low 40s. I am amazed at the growth on the tomatoes the past two days, as well as the blossoms! They just wanted some heat...but it hasn't helped my poor peppers yet.
ReplyDeleteLove that vinegar. I have a pot of chive just blossoming. Hope to try making some.
ReplyDeleteWe had our summer a couple of days ago when we had two warm days. On day it was in the 80's. We are now back to normal low 40's at night and highs during the day in the low 60's if we are lucky. May not see 80 again until mid to late July.
Wilderness, I only let my blossoms flavor the vinegar for five days. I had read other comments that it was too strong, but the 5 days gave it color and just a mild flavor.
ReplyDeleteI got so used to the cool weather, I was exhausted after two days of warmth! I didn't get much done in the garden.
I am missing our nice 80's temps.. we've been between 92 and 98 the past 6 days and the same sort of heat index for the next 10 days!! Very unusual to have this high temps so early in Summer.. hoping that it isn't like this the ENTIRE summer!! But, at this rate maybe I can start some new tomato seeds even this late in the game! lol
ReplyDeleteHugs,
~Wendy
Wendy, maybe a really early variety. Or you could buy some nursery plants.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteWe've been in the hot, humid 90s lately. I looked at the garden this morning and can't believe how quickly those tomatoes are growing! I have many new flowers and even saw a grape-sized tomato. I can't wait to eat fresh tomatoes this year!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ribbit. I know I am, but what are you?
ReplyDelete********
Langela, tell me about it! I stand out there and try to will that cluster of Bloody Butcher tomatoes to turn red! I planted sooooo many cherry tomatoes, I know I'll regret it. But I really want to go out there and just pig out on them, right in the garden. Last year the cherry tomatoes weren't very sweet, so I hope this year is better for them. I want to use them like candy, LOL!