Pinging the List. Hard to believe that August is almost gone, and summer nearly done for too. Time has passed quickly this year.
At 85 the weeks are flying by way too fast greeneyes. We had fresh corn on the cob and a cucumber salad from the garden for dinner tonight...
As regular garden thread readers know, (and a few might even care...hyuk hyuk), I live for watermelon.
The flagship of this years crop is a beauty, best one I've grown in years. I'm guessing maybe a sixty - seventy pounder. I always go by the little flag leaf by the melon turning brown to determine ripeness, as this has proven the most reliable method over the years.
Had some hail 'bout a month back. No complaints, damage was minimal, praise God! But that flag leaf took a direct hit and is long gone.
If I cut into this masterpiece of the good Lord's handiwork and it's either green or string, I just may start bawling.
The "thump" test is just asking for trouble.
The "smell" test probably works good if you're a bloodhound. I wish.
The "squeeze" test - too many variables with both the squeezer and the squeezee.
The "field spot" is helpful with melons lying directly on the ground but I use melon boards.
Any melon Gurus out there that will take pity on my plight and graciously offer advice?
Howdy Greeneyes!
I’m so glad the great new things have been added to your home and garden this year. Even without a great crop y’all will have so much more in years to come.
We’ve had more rain here in central Texas than I anticipated too. By no means as much as most areas but just when my rain collecters were almost empty we had 2” then the next time the containers were dry we got 8” over 3 days. We collect the rain from the roof gutters so even a little fills my containers. Looking to get another 250 gal container soon.
I’m still getting squash and peppers. I kept some sweet millions alive thru the heat of summer and they’re blooming and starting to set again for an extra fall treat. I am missing fall tomatoes this year due to a trip up to visit our kids in Maine. I had a sweet young friend who drove 50 miles out here every other day to water for me while gone but didn’t have the heart to try to ask her to care for a freshly planted fall garden.
God bless you all.
*BUMP for later...I’m canning again, today! :)
Note to self: Not so many tomatoes next year!!
Yes, though last year in MA we were able to harvest tomatoes and squash until the end of November.