Edible Anomaly of the Week!

I just love fruit and vegetable anomalies!

 I think they are worthy of our attention. Some people may think anomalies are just freaks of nature. Well, they are.  But they are also the very living, breathing fruits and vegetables that grew wild and undisturbed. They never succumbed to human regulations and modifications imposed on our wild food source. Anomalies may look funny, but are just as beautiful and fascinating (and in most cases delicious!), as any perfectly round tomato!



"Grimace pepper"
Source:  facebook

 

Balancing balls, and other trellis tricks

As the creeping vines continue to grow upward, fruit is getting larger and heavier. It is time to think of continued support systems.  I used thin bamboo sticks help create a little balancing/support shelf along the main trellis, while the babies up the wall trellis continue to use the 'fishnet stockings' to support their weight.

 

 

Lady, Why You Buggin?

An unprecedented infestation of aphids, spider mites, and catepillars has left me wondering this season, is this garden armageddon? or gardengeddon?  well, maybe not total obliteration just yet, but each of my tomato plants has played gracious host to these freaky little mites, while aphids seem to befriend my pepper plants at an exponential rate. And just when I thought the raised bed was safe haven for my prized possessions (eggplants, squash, and cucumbers raised from seed),  little caterpillar poops showed evidence that creepy crawlies are on the prowl.  Oh, speaking of creepies, my creeping vines(watermelons), were the only ones NOT under attack by these pesty pests.  Whew!  ....at least there is some hope I thought!

So, in keeping with the spirit of organic gardening, I resorted first to Captain Jack's spinosad spray, for the mites,  and for aphids, a colony of ladybugs, which I released early evening, (according to the directions listed on the tub they came in).

Lady bugs, do your thang!

So, lo and behold, the next day, almost all the aphids were gone!     Couldn't  say the same about the mites, but I've now moved on to neem oil, and shall see if that works better for these unmanageable critters...

Squash Blossoms

Ah, the stunning beauty of yellow squash blossoms!

 

I was told that some of the easiest crops to grow during late spring and early summer,  are summer squash and zucchini. I was told they would thrive easily in our Southern California climes.  And thrive they did.  Early on, from seed, these guys were not fussy at all about sprouting in the sandier, less favorable spots of my garden. They took right away to the grounds, their striking yellow blooms a nice contrast to the fifty shades of green around them. 

 

While the squash fruit is the tasty product of this particular labor, the blossom itself can be prepared in a variety of ways. These unexpectedly gorgeous blooms kept growing faster than I can keep up with, in terms of cooking. But, here, I found a link to the different ways of cooking and eating squash blossoms:

http://www.thekitchn.com/five-ways-to-eat-squash-blosso-87564

 

This one looks like a rocket with fiery fuel behind it...

This one reminds me of a watercolor painting....



"Buzzing about"





A new patch of squash seedlings- part of my 'succession planting' efforts



Support Systems

As the sugar babies grow, they will need a little extra support.

Here is something I used right out of my old sock drawer.

Fishnet stockings cut up in pieces that are long enough to tie to the vertical trellis. They provide a nice support for the watermelons, while allowing them to also receive sufficient sunlight.

 

 

Hey Sugar Baby!

Something new to my space this year.....

  Sugar Baby Watermelons. 

 

When I first planted the seedlings, I realized they would take up LOTS of space by crawling all over the ground. But I wanted to make space for a lot of other veggie plants.  So, I built my own vertical trellises. The first one I created by using 4-5 thin bamboo stakes, pushed against each other in a teepee-like shape.   Then I mounted some of my old unused garden fencing by cutting parts of the wires and wrapping the wire ends around the stakes at various levels.  Not the most sophisticated job, but when pulled and pushed, it felt strong enough.

Next, I reused more recycled materials, like an old rectangular tomato cage, and a wooden trellis, to create a 2-part climbing trellis, which rests up against the wall.   The opened tomato cage actually is flat, and hangs from the garage overhang. The creeping vines took to them quite easily with a little bit of training every day (and a few twisty ties to help them along). Once the melons get a bit heavier, I shall support them with a hanging mesh pouch to help them hang and rest a little easier.

Border fence wiring repurposed to wrap around a triangular vertical structure.

2-part trellis against the wall- from the ground vines can climb upward.

Training vines to climb higher than they could imagine!



Started as a tiny little baby.....

To golf-ball size,  in just under 2 weeks..... 

Now the other flowers are inspired to fruit.....

Another view of the upcoming sugar babies.....

Edible Anomaly of the Week!

I just love fruit and vegetable anomalies!

 I think they are worthy of our attention. Some people may think anomalies are just freaks of nature. Well, they are.  But they are also the very living, breathing fruits and vegetables that grew wild and undisturbed. They never succumbed to human regulations and modifications imposed on our wild food source. Anomalies may look funny, but are just as beautiful and fascinating (and in most cases delicious!), as any perfectly round tomato!

I call these guys "Bunny Love".

Source: Facebook post

 

Edible Anomaly of the Week!

I just love fruit and vegetable anomalies!

 I think they are worthy of our attention. Some people may think anomalies are just freaks of nature. Well, they are.  But they are also the very living, breathing fruits and vegetables that grew wild and undisturbed. They never succumbed to human regulations and modifications imposed on our wild food source. Anomalies may look funny, but are just as beautiful and fascinating (and in most cases delicious!), as any perfectly round tomato!



"Turtle neck" lemon, from my brother's lemon tree