Someone *ahem, Emmy...* stuck a quarter in my SD card reader so there was a moment there where the possibility of getting new photos up for all these new posts was almost nonexistent. I skillfully pulled it out. A few days ago Max popped off the space bar, relieving me of the ability to separate words. I think the kids are mutining against my computer...
In other -better- news the summer garden is getting prepped. I bought this Hydrofarm JSV2 2-Foot Jump Start T5 Grow Light System
grow light and mentioned getting it on Saturday. Monday, I planted the seeds and Tuesday set up the light.
grow light and mentioned getting it on Saturday. Monday, I planted the seeds and Tuesday set up the light. 
It's on the top shelf of the homeschool room. It literally touches the ceiling. I'm really overall very happy with the light. For under fifty bucks shipped, there isn't anything I can complain about. I'll have more of an opinion though, after the seeds sprout. I bought some square pot plates but didn't realize they were too big to sit side by side, so I'll have to use the remaining space for more of the little yogurt cup planters without drilling holes in them to drain. No biggie, but I have to wait till we eat more yogurt before I can plant.
I planted bib lettuce, rosemary, pumpkins, watermellon, yellow summer squash, chives and parsley. From the garden I pulled out the remnants of the seven romaine plants, the blueberries that got fried and the cut down broccoli stalks. There's a lot of room out there now. The tomatoes have pretty much finished, I lost a lot to the stink bugs but did get quite a few in. There are still a few more cherry tomatoes going.
The one watermellon also is a loss though the vines are twining beautifully, I suppose it grew to fast and it split itself. I've never grown watermellon before so that was a learning experience. There is another getting quite big on part of the vine that's vertical. I bought some cheap pantyhose today to make a sling for it since it's dangling heavy in the air. I'll post photos on that soon. Should be quite a sight.
The couple of carrots and the canteloupe seem stunted and the Kiwi burnt out. It's just so hot here. The banana peppers are looking good though, and a few of the herbs are really thriving. I'm doing better this year from last but there's still quite a lot of disappointment out there. Seventy square feet isn't much but it's more than I've ever done.
I think I might be the only person on the planet that can't grow zucchini. I planted eight seeds. Four sprouted. Only one has really thrived and has given me three tiny shriveled stubs of what had been promising shoots and one good sized fruit. There are two more that look good but we'll have to see. I envy those that have to give zucchini away or find four pound fruit hidden in the vines that they were completely unaware of.
I wish soul-deep that I had prolific squash.
4 comments:
Last year none of our zucchini seeds sprouted, so we had to buy starts. This year our zucchini seeds we planted are growing well. You just never know, sometimes starts are a wonderful alternative.
I understand...we had a late frost (second week of May!) and then two weeks later we hit 90 degrees and have been hovering around that temp for the last few weeks. My sugar snap peas died and never produced so much as a flower. My lettuce and spinach never even bothered to sprout. So far it's looking like I'll be eating tomatoes, peppers, and pumpkins! (Hope baby likes them!)
Connecticut usually has a fairly nice growing season, but this is ridiculous. If my lone zucchini plant bears any veggies, I'll be very surprised.
Hang in there...there's always next year! :)
You've inspired me to start a small garden. I love tomato and cucumber and herbs but have never grown my own........now's the time! Cathy
Thanks everyone. I am doing sooo much better than last year (my first year gardening). I try and keep my head up and chalk this all up to learning experience. For now, I have the ability to make mistakes -though I seem to be making every one in the book- when we're on our land and our sustenance comes from the farm, I'll be happy with all the education I'm getting.
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