Almost Done

Dave and I build the last 4'x4' raised bed this weekend. This evening I finished filling it with dirt and humus/manure. I'm going to let the manure air out a bit and work it into the soil tomorrow after work. Then it should be ready for corn, sunflowers, cucumbers and green beans. That will mean the end of all of my hard work planting. Now it's just waiting to reap the rewards!

I did lose 2 more lettuce plants - 1 red leaf and 1 romaine. I need to do some research and find out what's going on. It's like the plant rots from the base. It's all mushy and white. Yuck!!

The broccoli needs to be harvested and I have at least 1 head of cauliflower big enough to harvest. One cabbage plant is coming along nicely but the other seems stuck in "beginning to form a head" mode. I had this happen with a plant last year. Very strange. Eventually it produces but it will be a while. I noticed that one of the pea plants flowered today. Odd because both the pea and snow pea plants are only about 12" tall right now. From past experience they need to at least double in size to produce. All of the tomato plants love their new home - they have all at least tripled in size. I really need to harvest more lettuce! It will be too hot soon to keep it much longer. Dave's hops plants grow like 3" per day. It's crazy!

Today was the first of some hot, sunny, dry days to come. I watered everything well and that took 5 or 6 trips to the rain barrel. I suspect the next several days will see me making 7-10 trips to the rain barrel. I need to get something that will allow me to lug around more water. Hmmmm....