Clearing and Cleaning

More of a list today, since I haven't taken new pictures and am not entirely in the mood for a long post. I'm thinking I'll do some sewing today.

1. Cleaned out the cantaloupe section, which mostly meant hacking away at the excessively long vines and tendrils that are running rampant. Still no fruit, but I can at least see dirt again and I could have sworn that the nearby corn sighed in relief.

2. The cucumber has powdery mildew. Gonna try to spray it with milk (and wondering it if actually works) before taking more extreme measures. There are about 10 new cucumbers on the plant and I harvested the bludgeoning instrument last night.

3. Planted 5 new squash plants that I managed to score for 1$ (.50 for 2 trays of 4 - I tossed 3 that looked too sickly to try), although they are sadly also home to aphids. I purchased live ladybugs last night, which will hopefully get rid of them when they get here. :)

4. Have to harvest banana peppers again, as they are huge and very abundant.

5. Just harvested 2nd round of bush beans and there are still small beans on the plants. I have a quart-size baggie about 3/4 full, which is somewhat gratifying. In the fall, I plan to try pole beans. I think they'll save on space and make picking easier. A small black spider made her home in between the majority of the plants and I'm none so thrilled about reaching down into her web for my beans.

6. Potatoe stalks have fallen over with the rain. Again, not hoping for much. Maybe they'll surprise me.

7. I've started making plans for a fall garden. Plans may change somewhat, as I may not be here long enough to put in the effort. Its a long and sudden story, but I may be looking to buy a house sooner, rather than later. I'm not sure what it will mean. With all of the effort invested in the box, I'm of the mind to shovel every last bit of dirt and take the whole thing with me if I go. So much is unknown though, so I'm going to take it a day at a time.

For now, I've decided to try to build my fall garden entirely from seed, starting the plants in trays and by making my own seed tape for the really teeny seeds. I found several very cool sites that give directions about making seed tape and plan to make several rolls as gifts. If all systems are go for the fall, this is what I want:

• Beets
• Broccoli
• Spinach & Lettuce
• Carrots
• Onions
• Strawberries
• Cauliflower
• Beans
• Peas 
• Squash 
• Hopefully all of my herbs too - Basil, Parsley, Oregano, Rosemary, Lavendar, Chamomile, Cilantro, Chives etc