The squash bugs are still doing their best to take over my garden, so over the past week I’ve been pulling my squash plants (and killing bugs like crazy.) I am trying not to think about how expensive the few squash that I’ve managed to produce were considering how much money I paid out to my kids for killing squash bugs. I’ve killed hundreds if not thousands myself. I hate them, and I hate them. I won’t say anything more about it though, because it’s just downright discouraging. We have eaten pumpkin custard and butternut squash risotto in the past week though, and that is encouraging.
Also in the happy gardening category, are the orangeglo watermelons. We have eaten three or four of them so far, and there are still a few more in the garden.
The black eyed peas are ready, and we ate a nice black eyed pea gumbo this week. The delicata winter squash wasn’t too impressive for us yield wise (again the bugs) but was popular with some of my family when prepared like this. The Kentucky pole beans are being picked as well, but I am reminded that I prefer wax beans (making a note of that for next year.)
I am working on my fall garden still. In this photo there is Russian red kale on the left, and a mixture of bull’s blood beets, lettuce, and arugula on the right. I don’t know how I ever gardened without using the gardening mesh to protect my little plants from cats and chickens. I’ve also transplanted from the flats I started a few weeks ago: rainbow chard, collard greens, broccoli, and red cabbage. I’ve still got more to do: there’s garlic to be planted, and more greens. I bought my crimson clover seed and will start sowing that in empty beds soon.
The areas of the garden on the right that still look thick and green are planted with sweet potatoes. I will be so thrilled if those do well this year. Judging from the above ground portion, they are looking really good.
How about you? How’s your garden growing?
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Oh, Ginny. I need some of that green garden mesh… like yesterday. I have done a bit of searching online but cannot seem to find it… does it go by another name? Where did you find yours?
Thanks!
Alice
Have you noticed that squash bugs smell like apple jolly ranchers when you squish them? Not to be gross–just wondering if it is only me.
I have noticed that they smell nasty–but will think about the jolly ranchers next time I squish one….they are just so gross.
Your garden is gorgeous and so productive, must be all those little people blessing it with their love.
My fall garden thoughts and pictures:
http://6512andgrowing.wordpress.com/2012/09/10/fall-gardening-aka-dont-put-down-your-beer/
You are such an inspiration. I can’t wait to get our Fall garden planted.
Well Ruth, there are little caterpillars devouring my fall garden I’ve realized. I don’t know if I have the energy to deal with it!
Oh, you have reminded me how neglected my garden is at the moment. Although I do have some carrots and beetroots that are nearly ready to harvest and we have harvested our potatoes a bumper crop this year yippee!
I just love how you plant so many different things! We’re getting better at knowing what we will actually eat versus what is just fun to grow if only to save precious energy and garden space! Have you ever tried neem oil for the bugs? It seemed to help us this year with the cucumber beetles. Hope you don’t mind me linking from my post last week! I’m off on my weeks, I guess!
love that big basket of produce!
The sweet potato vines look great – looking forward to trying the delicate recipe!
p.s. I’m looking for a book of beginner-ish knitting projects. Any suggestions?
Yuck – bugs. Would you be willing to post your butternut squash risotto recipe? 🙂
I’ll try! I just use the basic recipe on the back of the plastic tub of arborio rice I buy at the store, then add a cup or so of baked butternut squash. we had it for lunch today!
♥ How I wish we planted pumpkins this year…we simply forgot. Our cukes, butternut and watermelon vines have been doing poorly though, lack of rain, and we water them sometimes, but seems like it’s still not ENOUGH, too hot and humid.
I love butternut squash risotto and the colour of that big blue pumpkin. Glad you haven’t given up on your autumn garden despite the squash bugs. It’s the early rain and then squirrels and rabbits and slugs and snails that got our mini harvest. They got there first…
…If you can carry on despite the bugs so can I….
that garden of yours is just amazing. too bad about those darn bugs. 🙁
I saw some crimson clover seed at the feed store yesterday and remembered you mentioning how much you liked it before on your blog… would you mind telling why you sow it in the empty beds in the fall? Does anything eat it? Does it grow over the colder months where you live? 🙂 lots of questions!
I am just amazed by your garden. It is a continuous source of enjoyment for me. You have so much growing and producing: that is what I find so rewarding about gardening. You just never know what you are going to find growing, hidden by cover of leaves or vines.
It’s squash vine borers in my garden. They get my pumpkins every single year despite all measures taken to rid the vines of the gross, ugly little things. :/
The squash bugs are why I gave up gardening vegetables. That and groundhogs, bunnies, chipmunks. I have such a small space that I harvested almost nothing. Now I grow perennials and herbs that none of the critters like! 🙂
Such a great idea with the garden mesh, I will have to remember that for next year, thanks!