Early Fall Garden - Drought Continues

Sorry it has been awhile since I last posted. The very dry conditions have continued through September. It did rain about 0.70 inches last week, but it did not keep the soil moist for long. At least the temperatures have cooled off slightly. One can really notice the decrease in sunlight this time of year as compared to earlier this summer. About two weeks ago I finally was able to plant a few lettuce seedlings that survived the heat and the worms that attacked my plants (see first pic above). A few insects are still a problem out in the garden. The cabbage worms continue to be a problem on my cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts, and cabbage plants. I see those white moths flying everywhere in the garden these days, which are the adults laying their eggs on these plants. B.T. (Bacillus Thuringiensis) which is a biological control for these pests, is a very effective control. See the following fact sheet from Ohio State University on these worms (http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2201.html). I have been harvesting green beans for about the last 3 weeks now, with more coming on (see one of the bean plots in the second pic above). I started harvesting green onions from some of the top setting onions I pulled and replanted about 5 weeks ago (see third pic above). My late planted cabbage is growing well now (see forth pic above) and it should be ready to harvest in about another 3 to 4 weeks. The late planted broccoli is starting to form heads, and those should be ready to harvest in about another 3 weeks or so. The cauliflower is still a little behind the broccoli, but is still growing fine (see fifth pic above of this plot). All in all, the early fall garden is growing relatively well despite the very dry conditions. I hope the frost stays away for at least another 3 weeks to give some of the plants time to mature before it gets too cold. Fall is a great time to garden, so get out there and enjoy what the season has to offer.

Leave a comment and let me know how you garden has performed this year.

Happy Gardening!!

Insects Galore!!

Wow, I have never had as many insect problems before during this time of year. The flea beetles have been all over my new broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower transplants. I had to spray them with sevin two times. I also was having problems with cabbage worms, so I also had to spray them with BT two times as well. I think I have finally beaten those insects......for now. I also had a large number of beetles on my green beans, which I also had to spray twice with sevin.

The weather has been very hot and it continues very dry. Indianapolis is "officially" just over 7 inches of rainfall below average since April 1. I say officially because I think my garden has received much less rainfall. Needles to say we are in a moderate to severe drought in the area. Temperatures have been in the 90's the last 3 days. I have been watering certain plots in my garden on a daily basis, especially my carrots, which have just begun to germinate. I have lettuce seedlings growing under my covered back porch and they are even struggling to grow in all of the heat. I will not be planting them out into the garden until it cools down. At this rate it might not cool down until December. It has been a very challenging garden season so far. I hope we get at least some rain soon, but I am not holding my breath.

I have been harvesting the following from my garden over the past month or so: Peppers, tomatoes, and celery. I have not had any lettuce since about late July since it has been too hot. I will be harvesting green beans within the next few days.

Well, I must go do some watering now......of course!!!!

Happy Desert Gardening!