Tasks:
Pulled dead leaves off of rhubarb and researched what might be wrong with the patch
Broke up the soil crust left from the hard rain and cultivated all beds
Sprayed BT on brassicas
Weeded raised beds
Started watering cycle
Made compost tea
Trimmed low branches on tomatoes
Fixed, painted, filled, and hung bird feeders
Recovered squash
Built, sanded, primed, and painted 15 seed block trays
Transplanted tomatoes, parsley, and cilantro from Simply Native
Picked and froze peas
Painted sign
Stripped the leaves from the stems of the dried thyme
Built greenhouse door and began plans for west wall
Seed blocked cucumbers, Morning glories, and carrots
Notes:
Storm- This week we had an especially heavy rain with Mock-5 winds. The row covers ripped up in many places and many of the peppers and sunflowers fell over or were uprooted. This could have been prevented by staking the peppers that are uncovered and making sure the rover covers are taught and secured. If a storm rolls in add additional bricks to the weak or loose spots. A few of the tomato cages also fell over in the wind. Having longer stakes on the cages or stapling the cages to the ground with row cover staples could prevent this.
Tomato pruning- Along with the pruning of suckers on the tomato plants, we have also pruned the bottom branches of the plant. We think that those branches, even if they might bear fruit, will only rest on the ground, rot, attract pests, and decrease air circulation, overall acting to disadvantage the plant.
On the subject of pruning tomatoes: we have noticed that some determinate varieties of tomato (Belstar, Belstar salsa) have not responded as well as others (Red Dafel, Big Beef). Where some plants seem all the stronger and healthier for having been pruned, the Belstar varieties have turned into small bushes and do not appear to be showing many signs of growth. They have not even reached the tops of their cages. It may be that these plants have a smaller determined size, and that we have pruned them down to their absolute bare bones. It appears that some varieties do not respond well to pruning.
While pruning one of the indeterminate tomato plants George snapped off the vertical-growth tip. The break was clean and entire so we rushed and duct taped it back on. It appears to be alive and well. Miraculous!
Covering squash- We have covered the squash mounds and will not uncover them until we have to. This is an attempt to discourage the feasting of squash bugs. We will see.
Peas- On one side of the pea fence we planted a fence of pole beans too close, approximately 2 ½ feet away. This spacing made it difficult to harvest.
To preserve these peas we decided to just flash freeze them, without blanching them. This appears to be risky, but we read varying opinions online and decided to take the time-saving risk.
Harvesting coriander- Leave the seed pods on the stem until the seeds appear to be dry and the stems they are on have turned brown. Harvesting them too soon with decrease quality of flavor and may result in inadequate drying (which could result in molding).
Harvesting chamomile- Please, plant the chamomile in an open and accessible location. The harvests are frequent, plentiful, and numerous.
Harvest when the flower heads are large and yellow, not green. Snap the stem as close to the bottom of the flower as possible. Place the flower heads in a paper bag and let dry for a number of days, shaking the bag lightly three times a day to speed the process.
Concerns:
Rhubarb- Our rhubarb looks very poor. It may be because we harvested too much of it this year, or because we mulched it too heavily and closely, or because of Crown Rot (a fungus). We discarded the dead leaves and pulled the straw mulch away from the rootstocks. Our thought being that we may over mulched, trapping the moisture and encouraging rot.
Brassica leaves- Many of the brassica leaves have yellowed and shriveled. The potential blight started with one cauliflower plant and has now spread to the surrounding ten plants. We discarded the leaves, pulling them off and throwing them away (we were worried that they might harm the compost), but the same malady appears to be affecting more plants, including the broccoli plants across the plot.