Growing Now

I just want to reassure any and all gardeners that this has been a particularly brutal summer in South Texas. So if your garden is struggling and the gardener is wilting in the heat- it is not just you. Over 100 degree days and no rain will wilt just about everything and everyone. Here are a few things that are continuing to thrive.

The tomatoes are jumping and we are also growing

Cantaloupe

Stars and Moon Watermelon

Long Red Noodle Bean

Awwwww so cute baby Japanese Long Cucumbers.

I dearly love the state of Texas, but I consider that a harmless perversion on my part, and discuss it only with consenting adults.- Molly Ivins

Fourth of July Pumpkins

The hottest hot tip this week is to plant pumpkins the week of July 4th to have pumpkins ready to carve by Halloween. This trick only works for us Southerns. We did pop some pumpkin seeds in the ground. I didn't get my pumpkins planted in time last year and was quite remorseful when Halloween rolled around. DHITW reminded me that they would be ready by Thanksgiving but it just wasn't the same. I shan't make that mistake again.

The above photo shows the white pumpkins we planted awhile back. Pumpkins store really well if you already planted your pumpkins or want to get a head start next year.

I will leave you with this photo of our chicken chasing our cat.

Follow Ups

The red Zinnias popped! The crush continues.

The chickens have been fenced. We are growing three trees back there to provide them some shade in the future. We are also growing some fast growing and vining plants in a pot outside the fence. This will feed the chickens fresh snacks as it grows through the fence but being caged on the outside of the fence will protect the plants from being eaten to a nub.

We also half buried a rain barrel, filled it with water and a small solar pump to add a water feature to the chicken yard. Now the chickens will always have something to drink in this hot hot heat. More updates as they happen.