Garden Update Day 101: Zucchini No More + Preventative Measures
My weekly garden update seems to have moved to biweekly, so it's definitely time for another post. As always, follow the link below to the last update. From there, continue to follow all the way back to the beginning if you care to see the entire garden journey.
https://esteem.app/garden/@inalittlewhile/garden-update-day-88-setbacks-are-for-learning
This week I finally called it quits on the Zuchinni Hybrid plants that had come down with a mildewy leaf disease. Pulling them out by the root didn't take much force as they seemed prepared to go.
Pests continue to be an issue. It's not too much of a surprise since we live next to a large open canyon-like area.
Seeing the attention several neighborhood birds have been giving the tomatoes, I decided it was time to set up a screen. I should have done this a month back when we first started losing our tomato harvest.
A simple light netting arrived via Amazon and I used picture frame clips to hang it from the fence. On the outside corners, you see long curtain rods which I sledge hammered into the ground. Duct tape holds the net to the rods at the top.
Clips along the bottom of the planter allow the netting to come free. Once loose, I can easily flip the netting over itself on top, and have access to the area.
It Worked Until It Didn't
For the first couple of days, the netting appeared to do its job. No tomatoes were lost until last night, as you can see from the pic above.
Now I'm no detective but birds didn't get in. Neither was it a larger animal as the netting is undisturbed. That leaves rats and/or mice to blame. And I'm not fond of either for reasons beyond losing tomatoes. So....
A trip out to Home Depot and back with the right supplies means I'm ready for those derned critters! White flies have been the other main issue so I'll be using that organic pesticide as well.
What To Do In Place Of The Zucchini?
I'm open to ideas as to what goes next in the spot where the Zucchini plants were located. Perhaps later today I'll do some research and choose some seeds to pickup next time out.
These succulents sit in the corner right next to where the dirt patch now lies. It's perfect for the rats and mice to hide in. Perhaps our wonderful Landlady will allow me to remove them. It'll deter the pests and offer more space for growing.
Basil, Mint, & One Little Cherry Tomato Made It Through The Night
This little red cherry tomato must not be in an easy place for rodents to get to, cause somehow it survived where the larger Oregon Spring tomato didn't.
In between the tomato plants, a small patch of basil continues to thrive. Not far from it in the shady corner is a Mint plant that is also doing quite well.
I have another place in the back patio planned for a larger herb garden in the future. Over next to our lime tree!
I Promise These Are Limes Not Lemons
Limes that look the size of lemons are bursting on a citrus tree that's probably grown a foot since we moved in. All it takes is love, water, and sunshine!
As I zoom in with the camera to show off the fruit, you can see the size of these suckers. A hand helps give some idea of proportion, and my hands aren't small!
Plenty of limes on this tree are ripe and ready for the picking. I read that it's best to leave them on the tree until you need them, as they keep longer that way.
And these limes are bursting with so much juice, they can't even keep themselves in their own skin! I guess summertime is for shedding.
That's all until the garden does some more growing. Thanks for reading and as always....
Images Courtesy Of My Galaxy S10+
Bottom Image Courtesy Of Hive.io Brand Assets
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