Foot long.

This guy was hiding under some leaves ... Tape measure for reference.

Crescent Beach Plot update for July 29th

Cabbage ... 

Our small grape plant ... with new lettuce below

Kohlrabi closeup

Sunflowers ... flowers just about to bloom

Our two experimental artichokes

More sweat peas

Crescent Beach Tromboncino update for July 29th

The Tromboncino plants are taking over ... completely. OK so they have some help from the Blue Hubbard and Buttercup too.

Lots and lots of flowers, lots of small trombos

Two of the more prominent dongs

One of the 2 main Blue Hubbard fruit growing

Crescent Beach Pumpkin update for July 29th

A quick update on the Giant Atlantic Dills, the main plant which ruthlessly had its nose chomped off by a bunny rabbit is now growing full steam ahead, but no established fruit yet. A few pumpkins have been picked off waiting for the right one. There are a couple of candidates going, hopefully the fertilize soon.

As for 2 and 3, they are also growing well, Pumpkin 3 has a small fruit growing a little closer to the stem that I would ideally like, but it was already well on its way and is well situated to grow so I figured we would let it go.

Pumpkin plant #1, no established fruit

Pumpkin plant #2, no established fruit

Pumpkin plant #3, first established pumpkin started ~July 20th

Powdery mildew prevention for Squash and Pumpkins

I came across an interesting article today on an environmentally friendly way to protect your squash from getting mildewy leaves.

Numerous small studies from around the world have validated the use of milk sprays on powdery mildew on a wide range of plants. Most recently, a spray made of 40% milk and 60% water was as effective as chemical fungicides in managing powdery mildew of pumpkins and cucumbers.

Scientists are not exactly sure how milk sprays work, but most think proteins in the milk interact with sun to create a brief antiseptic effect. Any fungi present are "burned" into oblivion, but there is no residual effect after that. In order to be effective, milk sprays must be used preventively, must be applied in bright light, and should be repeated every 10 days or so.

There is no consensus on which dilution of milk to water is best, with the most concentrated recommended mixture 40% milk and 60% water, and the most dilute 10% milk and 90% water. I fall in between using 30% milk to70% water, with good results. It does not matter if the milk you use is skim or whole because it is the protein rather than the milkfat that is working on your behalf.

With experience, you will learn which types of powdery mildew are likely to develop in your garden, and this knowledge will take you far in managing this disease. Like other fungicides, milk sprays work best when used preventatively, before the disease can gain a foothold. If you often see powdery mildew on your squash, grapes or zinnias, start milk sprays before the plants show signs of infection. You have nothing to lose beyond a cup of milk.

For more information, visit growveg.com

July 22nd Calgary Strombone Update

Hi all,
We've finally taken some pictures of our 5 Strombones, one of which has now been given to Corie's brother Ryan and is aptly named "Randy Ryan". As usual some of the local residents have taken this opportunity to do some climbin'. There are 2 Strombones in the greenhouse and 2 in the front garden wicking bed and Randy Ryan is in the squash patch by the road. Only one little Stromboner so far...

Saturdays yield from Crescent Beach

17 cucumbers, 3 kohlrabi, and a bunch or carrots. Also we picked the first Buttercup squash. Not much change in it but we figured we might as well give it a try.

Gardening progress at the Bluff

A challenge ...

Yes ... more cucumbers at the plot ... these are three of the 6 plants we have. J and Corie did we mention the pickling taste test at Christmas?

Anyone else up for the challenge? Grow and pickle ... then judge by eating?

Pickling cucumbers

Cayenne pepper (with peppers)

A touch of English

Multiple Surrey Shlongs ...

Each time I look there are now more and more ... thanks to Graham street for pointing them out!

Quite interesting to see how different these are from other squash ... definitely phallic!

Stubby Steve ... right on cue

Butttercup looking more and more ripe.

The squash leaves are already getting pruned off so that I can access the plants in their little corner ... all of them are at the top of the fence now and crawling ... I have to cut out sections for stepping through the plants otherwise I fear we may not be able to adequately harvest!

The zoo

Crescent Beach Plot update for Sunday July 13

A simple update on some non Trombocino activity, this hot weather has started to make everything go bonkers!

The potatoes are flowering and we are hoping there is ample nuggets below ground. They have been mounded well over a foot above ground, and were planted nearly a feet below ground.

Can anyone say ... POTATOES!

This single cucumber plant is a machine! We get on average 2+ cucumbers per day ...  great for lunches.

Cucumbers to the left, cucumbers to the right ...

Anyone know how to tell if a buttercup squash is ready to be picked? We have heard that they are winter veg and they should be left until september or october?

First and largest Buttercup Squash with many many more on the way

Two shlongs sighted!

Big news from Graham Street, two green shlongs have been sighted. Both looking a little flacid, but quite pleasing to the eye.


Full view of Hugh G. on the left, and my giant atlantic pumpkin on the right:

Tromboncino update from Cresent Beach July 8th

Tromboncinos have reached the fence and are climbing ... Stubby Steve on the left, Tumescent Tom on the right.

Trombos to the right, Hubbard and Buttercup to the left

Our new little grape ... a little slow but very healthy.

Giant Pumkin update for July 8th

All plants really starting to spread now, although pumpkin 1 had its lead end snapped/bitten off by a certain fuzzy friend.

Pumpkin 1

Fuzzy Bunny visitor in our new plot

Pumpkin 2 is really starting to spread, should see the first real fruit and flowers soon.

Pumpkin 3

Graham July 3rd/7th Update

My one large Trombo is growing straight upwards! The stake is ~5 feet tall?

The trombo is on the left, a cucumber on the right. Not quite sure what I'm going to do when it reaches the top (this weekend). The two little guys haven't done a thing.

July 7th Update - flowers and Paul!

Early July Harvest

First squash of the season! And a large turnip, cukes, and cauliflower (cheddar!) too.

Tromboncino update June 29th

The Tromboncino squash are really starting go ... No fruit yet though.

Behind these two are the rampaging Buttercup squash and solid Blue Hubbard.

 

Also our potatoes are well over a foot above soil level and looming fantastic. Behind are the onions, a thin crop of carrots, some kolhroby. If you look closely you might see our mini grape vine behind the cucumber plant (we just harvested our first two cukes).