Midsummer Garden………

The actual
Is only actual
In one place
And one time.
Deng Ming~Dao

Remember when I told you I was going to do some companion gardening this year?  Some of you asked to report back, so this is what I have found.
Rosemary in with the broccoli did not keep the cabbage moths away as you can see all of the chew marks from cabbage worms.  I have hand-picked them off and have not seen any new ones lately….which is good.  We will have broccoli for dinner this week…yay!

The lettuce/onion grouping on the other hand has worked fabulously.  Not one single bug on the lettuce so far all summer. 

We have been enjoying tender, tasty lettuce now for a number of weeks.  I just planted a second crop as the cut and come again plants are looking like they want to bolt.  It's been pretty hot.  If the new batch doesn't come up, I will start some inside for a late August planting and in it's place I will toss in some radishes or something else that will mature quickly. (any ideas?)

The corn is growing wonderfully!  I am seeing a little bit of yellowing, which is telling me it needs some nitrogen.  The beans hiding behind the corn does add nitrogen to the soil naturally, but the corn will need a little boost this weekend.

The tomatoes on the other hand have been very slow to take off this year, which is surprising as we have had a pretty hot summer for us up here in the north…also blowing the theory that basil helps tomatoes to grow bigger.  I took this picture last weekend and they have started to sprout since then, so hopefully we have turned a corner…..at least, knock on wood, I am not seeing the dreaded fungus.  They will be getting some added nutrients this weekend as well.

Even though they are not as tall as they usually are at this point in the summer, there are plenty of tomatoes growing.  Sungolds are a particular favorite in this house. 🙂

The carrots have been thinned a few times and will probably need one more thinning, but they are looking very robust.

The herb garden has been very productive this summer.  I have harvested and processed the different herbs a few times and have been able to use my own cilantro in our Corn Salad. 🙂

All in all, so far the garden is doing well.  Using raised beds makes for much easier weeding even though they need more frequent watering as they dry out faster.  I think that the consistent watering does help the plants along as well though…..but don't leave home for the entire day and leave your sprinkler on….oops (thankfully that happened only once).  Next week I will do a post on harvesting Calendula for herbal uses….until then, Happy Gardening!!!