Soil on Up: Mega Garden July Profile

The garden is doing very well so far this year, despite the on going chunk and slug wars. I felt it was overdue to share a bit of an overview of how the garden as a whole is doing. Without trying to overwhelm one with the vegetables that are growing out there I concentrated on a few crops this time that are doing particularly well (and in some cases the best I've grown ever).

Tomatoes. So far so good, non-stop explosive growth and no signs of disease- yet. Lots of fruit.

Tomatillos. First year growing them and they are doing quite well as far as I know I can see. They are tall plants that's for sure and need to be tied up as they do not handle winds very well and will snap if you don't. Lots of fruit which are hidden inside the Chinese lantern-like forms you can see hanging off the plant.

From left to right: Onion, carrot and kale. This was the row devastated by the evil ground chunks about a month ago. It made me want to cry how bad it was, but these vegetables didn't give up and have made a come back.

Cucumbers. DOING AMAZING! This is the first successful attempt at growing cucumbers. My guess as to why: better planning, started seedlings indoors, a trellis (as slapdash as it is- it works), more compost worked into the soil, and maybe the most essential- a hot hot sunny summer.

Green cabbage. Last year my cabbage didn't survive the slugs, this year it was almost obliterated during the chunk wars. Its made a come back and this may yet be the first year I have been able to grow cabbage successfully.

Leeks (with carrots in between). These guys were started from seed way back in February. In fact, the first official seed germinated on February 9th- that's how long they have been growing. They still have a ways to go. However, I have learned there is no rush to harvest leek who, around here, can survive winter weather for harvest in spring.

Beets. I have been growing beets every year and they cease to disappoint me. Two beds were sown with a beets/kohlrabi/beets plan (they are companion plants). Unfortunately the kohlrabi didn't really survive the slugs and chunks this year, but the beets remained virtually untouched!

Peppers. This bed has four different pepper plants with six each of: Hungarian wax, jalapeno, and two kinds of bell pepper. They are doing OK, they have been dropping some of their bottom most leaves. They are turning yellow and falling off. It may be a nutrient deficiency perhaps and I will experiment with some things to cheer them up. Two of the jalapenos didn't make it due to slugs. In between the groups of peppers, which don't mind being planted close together (8-12") I have basil and cilantro.

Chard. I love planting Swiss chard, its so easy to grow and its so gorgeous!

Basil. Last year my basil was not very good. Again a problem with a close association with evil slugs eating my seedlings. This year however I started plants indoors in the spring and transplanted them out. This proved to provide me a guarantee of basil to look forward. I also tried direct sowing seeds, but with a near 90% mortality rate due to slugs I am going for the transplants in full force next year.

Peas. They did great this year. Here is a bed planted along the fence. I grew three kinds of peas this year: sugar snap, snow, and pod peas. They were so delicious that only a small amount actually made it out of the garden due to being devoured during my daily visits to the garden. In my opinion the sugar snap were the best. 'Sugar' for the sweet flavor and 'snap' for the sound of my teeth as I eat them all. Mmm Mmm Mmm.

Zucchini. Like my other squash plants they are growing great. I have dreamed of the year that my garden could produce loads of zucchini as they do for other gardeners. The dream has come true.

Garlic. Last year I planted two rows, this year I did three- that's how much I love love love garlic. It was enough garlic to last us up until a few months ago. Now they are getting ready to harvest again.