[greeneyes]

I usually use Skin so Soft, if I use anything other than long sleeves, since I don’t like Deet stink. Mostly, if we don’t go outdoors at dusk, we don’t have to worry too much.

We put mosquito dunks in the rainwater we collect, and if I am out of that, I put a spoonful of cooking oil to float on top-seems to work. It is sometimes hard to keep other containers dumped-empty flower pots etc.

I still have 3 small (3x4 ft)beds to plant. Two beds of 3x8 ft. are going to serve as compost for leaves and lawn clippings. This winter, I’ll plant hairy vetch and clover there, because the soil needs a lot of work.

When the soil is better, I will plant a winter crop such as winter wheat, because the area is too shady in the summer to get really good results for most veggies, so it will be a reverse garden- winter time crops instead of summer. LOL

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Thanks for reminding me that I need to move my rain barrels out here!

Mosquito Dunks are awesome, and the oil trick works wonders, too.

I’m trying to convince Beau that a portion of the back deck needs to be enclosed as a screened porch. Of course, we’ve had three ‘cool’ summers in a row so the Skeeters haven’t been too bad, so my argument is falling on deaf ears. For now! :)

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

greeneyes :" ..the area is too shady in the summer to get really good results for most veggies,.."

Have you considered the brassica (wild mustards) family for summer shady areas (ie. cabbage , brussle sprouts, kohrabbi, califlower. broccoli,etc.) ?
Or is that shady area under the walnut trees ?