He was rewarded by an amplitude of cucumbers. I think he picked something like six during my absence. When I got home, I was finally able to taste them. And do you know what? They tasted like something! I had no idea cucumbers were supposed to have flavor! For the first time ever, I have come to understand the familial link between melons and cucumbers. Because cucumbers are sweet, with an ever so faint honeydew finish. At least that is how it ought to be. I'll be honest, I've never been a huge cuke fan. I mean I would eat them and all that, but I didn't miss them when they weren't around. So naturally I was a little apprehensive about growing them, because I thought, "What am I going to do with all these cucumbers?" As it turns out, not only am I devouring them, but my children are devouring them. Because they have flavor.
I'm also drowning in tomatoes.
By the way, no--I have no idea what the heck is up with that deformed cucumber. I think it was picking up vibes from the crookneck squash. Which, incidentally, is far from fabulous.
First they were a touch droopy, but only in the heat. Then I left town. When I got back, they had a few early patches of mildew, so I pruned them. (As an aside, I also saw a patch of mildew on the cucumbers.) The leaves on the crooknecks are getting pretty yellowy. They're looking more like the zucchini did at the end, but they have only put out four squash total. What's worse is the fact that all the flowers that are coming out are males. Hence the skimpy production. I think I have a nutrient problem. Whatever the case, clearly they are less than happy.
The babes are doing okay so far, but I fear they too will develop mildew. Hopefully I will get a last minute blast of squash before cool weather sets in. Kaboom.
Scruffy is hanging in there. He's been pruned a fair bit, but I sprayed him with an anti-fungal copper based spray, and that seems to be keeping things to a minimum. I am out there picking twenty fruits a day, and I am the only tomato eater here. Needless to say, I am doling them out to what I hope are willing recipients. (I took this picture after harvesting, by the way.)
Sorry I'm not being very clever with my words. It's ten at night. I'm usually in bed by nine, and the kids get me up between six and seven. So this is my one A.M. Yawns galore.
Anyhoo, the beans have mosaic virus or fungus, or something screwy. Their production sucks. I'm going to pull them, and possibly plant kale, since I understand it to be a cool weather crop.
Oh, and Hubs missed one of my flower pots. But he did such a great job on everything else, I can't possibly complain about one measly flower pot. Especially when it was in a less than obvious location. Also, a pile of dead leaves. Enjoy!
The end.
