In evaluating my garden, I believe it is important to factor in all the moisture we got this spring and early summer and the above normal high temperatures throughout July. So, I am going to be kind to myself as I continue the evaluation.
We covered the FAVA BEANS, CABBAGE and ZUCCHINI so lets talk about the hot and green peppers, and green beans. Last year the rabbits ate my green beans so this year I put rabbit fence around it's growing area and also planted two short rows on the north side of the raised gardens bed (climbing beans with a trellis). The rabbits have not eaten the beans this year. Lots of blossoms on both the bush and climbing beans, leaves look really healthy and large. One thing I would change is to put more space between the row of the bush green beans and the climbing beans so that there is more air flow...an important and key factor in good healthy plants and produce. So, my mouth is watering thinking that I will really get green beans this year as I love them in my diet. Just a note about green beans, fertilize the soil with compost initially and the beans usually do not need a lot of nitrogen because they produce nitrogen nodules for self-feeding at the base of their roots. If they receive too much nitrogen they end up with lots of green leaves and reduced green beans.
Pole beans at 96 degree F on 7/18
Update: rabbits got under the rabbit fence and ate a lot of my green bean blossoms. Nail it down well at the bottom of the fence and use blocks of wood to block any entry in any part....I hope. Found two beans which I ate. So, I did get some beans.
My peppers took a long time to show much growth in height and also blossoms this year. Peppers are a warm weather plant and need 8-10 hours of full sun. It was so cool this early summer that I believe that is what caused such a slow growth initially...now they are a "cooken", getting tall with lots of blossoms and some ripe fruit on them. Will need to stake some of them today. They really don't mind being planted fairly close together...kind of a "community centered" plant :)!! And if planted close together, it helps to keep pests down. I planted some hot peppers but mostly the sweet peppers. A note: my organic gardening book states that all parts of the pepper plant are poisonous except for the fruit....first I have read this. Also if the temperature outside (F) rises above 95 degrees F, sprinkle plants with water in the afternoon to prevent blossom drop (The Gardeners A-Z Guide to Growing Organic Food). Peppers like to be fertilized upon planting and then side dressing with compost at blossom time and then 3 weeks later. If they have trouble fruiting, you can spray the leaves with a weak epsom salt mixture to promote fruiting. Be sure to keep them watered well. I would have to say that this is the best year I have had for growing peoppers.
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