Randomness from the past week

We've been eating like kings around here!  In addition to what's below, the zucchini is coming in and getting all grilled up now as well.  Kaya liked it the first time she tried it (the Black Beauty), but not so much the second time (the Grey zucchini).  She has a very sensitive palette and said the Grey tasted too zucchini-i.

I've prepared the turnips like mashed potatoes and roasted them - both quite good.

Just the tip of the iceberg.  I've already put up 5 jars of refrigerator pickles and they're just getting started.  Note to self...grow more dill next year (and possibly less cukes).

I dug up a test hill last night and found these beauties!  1 plant = 1 pound of taters.  It was the perfect amount for dinner.  The girls wanted seconds so they ended up eating all 4 of the big ones and I scarfed up the rest.  The flesh had an almost creamy consistency and the skins so delicate that both girls ate the whole thing.

We also spent some time at the Dragon Boat Festival and enjoyed some delicious Asian food.  Well, Kassie had a hotdog, but Kaya and I enjoyed some delicious Asian food.  Kaya finally had enough of the rainbow and butterfly face painting and opted for the half skull this time.  She loved it but at the same time was afraid that she was going to scare people too much.

I set up a tight rope in the backyard using my old Harley tie down straps. 

It actually worked pretty well.

Welcome to the Nursery

There are babies poppin' out everywhere!

A wee little Howden Pumpkin

Hubbard Squash - I think this baby is the equivalent of a 9 lb human newborn

Black Beauty Zucchini - hope to be grilling this up in about a week

Long Pie Pumpkin

Gray Zucchini - looking pale green

Buen Gusto de Horno Squash - the plant is huge so i'm guessing these might get quite large

Vines are starting to overtake the space in between rows

I'm trying to direct the vines somewhat so they don't end up in the yard.  Spacing could get a little tricky.

He just loves watching veggies grow!
Ok, it's his usual psychotic staring at the ball waiting for me to throw it.

Over in the melon patch - itty bitty Tigger melons

Baby and Mama.
Mama was the first and only ripe for the pickin' so she became a delicious snack about a minute later.

Minnesota Midget melon

Cukes are starting to go nuts and the Watermelon are venturing out and over the front of the bed.
Haven't spotted any Watermelon babies yet.

Garden Update - July 2, 2014

First part of the garlic harvest.  Duganski in the middle and Susanville on the left.   And my first 2 turnips!

The remainder of the Susanville.  I ended up with a little over 50 heads!

The 3 sisters bed

If the potatoes are doing as well underground as they are above, I'm in for a terrific harvest.

Howden pumpkins

Gray Zucchini.  So far the leaves are gray, not exactly what I was expecting...we'll see what the fruit look like.

The pole beans are doing their thang with the corn.

Roses and Peas.  Peas and Roses.

Kale, Collards and Carrots.  As you can see, I've been harvesting and quite enjoying the Kale and Collards.

From back to front... Sunflowers, Boston and Muncher Cukes, Tigger Melons and Ali Baba Watermelons

Oh yeah, baby!  Won't be long now!  Hopefully before the crush of Cucumber beetles takes over.  I've been out plucking them off by hand (the beetles) every evening and so far there has been minimal damage.  But the babies don't hatch for another few weeks.

Cukes. Climbing.

Onions, Minnesota Midget melons and Texas Gold Watermelon

Onions are taking shape nicely!

I'm so proud of these guys...wasn't sure they were even going to make it for a while there.

Tomatoes...mostly Roma and Amish Paste.  The row closest to the fence are the slicers but they have not been doing much.  I guess that 30 minutes less of sunlight has really set them back.  Hoping for a growth spurt!