If You’re Gonna Plant a …

It really is too  hot to do anything but sit here and type.   I hope I  can find something to write about as the garden is in limbo.    Vegetables are growing,  but at such a slow pace.   I am tempted to go out and pull up everything  to get ready for Fall.  But then I’ll see a tomato or a pepper or better yet a cucumber and I decide to wait jussst a little longer.

I have learned a lot this growing season.  Mostly what NOT to do next year.  Here are a few decisions I have made.

I won’t be planting anymore Green tomatoes.  I’m sorry but it’s too hard to tell when they are ready to eat.  AND I believe I prefer the red ones.  My space is too limited to plant something I don’t really LOVE.

If you are gonna plant a hot pepper plant, plant a variety that is HOT.  I planted some TAM jalapeno plants which were very  mild.  I thought this was a great idea,  (jalapeno flavor without all the heat) but they were pretty much like a sweet pepper.

And IF you plant a hot pepper plant, seriously consider how many you really need.  For me, probably one plant.  (Note to self: please remember this in Jan. when you go wild with the seed buying)

When planting cucumbers plant only one variety.  This way when the vines start to grow into their neighbor’s area,  yikes!  it won’t be necessary to figure out which variety is which. 

Never buy seed from the local feed store where it has been sitting  for God knows how long.  ( I was desperate for Purple Hull Peas and my normal supplier was OUT) I could definitely tell the difference in quality.

Do plant lettuces  early and frequently to have a continuous supply.

Do plan ahead how you are going to utilize all that bounty.   Man cannot live by salsa alone.   Well, maybe.

I also realized I am going to need to build up my beds EVEN MORE with excellent composted soil.  I think for me, raised beds are the way to go.

So, here is the last of the Porter tomatoes, a few cucumbers and my beloved purple hull peas.

While I may not be ready to say goodbye to summer, I am ready to say goodbye to 100+ temperatures.<a title=”Cucumber on Foodista”