Today’s work (described left to right across the garden plot): 1) Made 4 mounds in the strip with the hose. Planted zucchini plants (purchased from Dutch Plant Farm) in closest mounds. Will plant yellow squash, butternut squash, and pumpkins in the other 3 mounds. 2) Next strip over: In the further section, I planted carrot & beet seeds. The carrots are in a row next to the hose. The beets (seeds I purchased this year from Southern States) are in a row next to the potatoes. I don’t know how the carrots will do in this heavy clay soil. Especially since the carrot seeds are some I purchased in 2005 from Willhite. I hope to put cucumbers between the carrots and beets later this month. In the closer section, I planted nasturtium seeds in a row next to the potatoes. 3) Did not make any changes to the strip with the potatoes or the vacant strip to the right of the potatoes. 4) My friend Alysia weeded the thick weeds growing around the onions. Thank you Alysia! I planted nasturtiums in the open spaces around the freshly weeded onions. I planted some zigzagging rows of marigolds in the unmulched “path” to the right of the onions and, in the process, I disturbed an ant hill in this area. The marigold seeds (Burpee) are Burpee’s Best Mix (12”) purchased this year from Southern States. 5) Planted nasturtiums around the pepper plants. The nasturtium seeds (Burpee) are Jewel Mix (10-12”) purchased this year from Southern States and Whirlybird Mix (12”) purchased in 2011. 6. Planted a couple rows of sunflower seeds and a couple rows of zinnia seeds to the right of the garlic. The sunflowers seeds (Burpee) are Chianti Hybrid (4-5 feet), Strawberry Blonde (6 feet), & Italian White (5 feet) from Southern States. The zinnia seeds (Burpee) are Giant Flowered Mix (30”) purchased this year and Pulcino Mix (12-15”) purchased in 2011. Hopefully the 2011 seeds will germinate. 7. I used the oscillating sprinkler to water the garden, which might not have been necessary since there is rain in the forecast. 8. Not only did I enjoy Alysia’s company today, but together we watched a helicopter land just beyond where we had parked. Heritage Farm Park was hosting a lacrosse tournament today and there was an unfortunate accident in the parking lot. I hope the injured party is doing okay.

Today's Photos

Garden Overview (the garlic plants wilted a little after transplanting, hose in distance): Garlic (hopefully will bloom in June) & space for flowers (perhaps sunflowers & zinnias): Tomatoes (rainbow blend, La Roma, & Better Boy) & Peppers (lady bell, red, & green): Onions & Habanero Peppers (in distance) with weeds (mulch needed around Habaneros): Potatoes (red pontiac plants in the distance and yukon gold plants in the closer part): Space for squash, cucumbers, pumpkins, etc with hose in the corner:

This evening I planted the 6 Better Boy tomato plants, 2 basil plants, 6 green pepper plants, 6 red pepper plants, 6 lady bell pepper plants, and 6 habanero pepper plants that I purchased from the Scott Key Center on May 6th. I used an oscillating sprinkler to water them after planting.

This evening I planted the 4 rainbow blend tomato plants, 4 La Roma tomato plants, 8 green pepper plants, and 6 basil plants that I purchased from the Walkersville H.S. FFA Club on May 4th. I used the hose to water them just after planting.

Today I mulched 6 more sections of the garden plot.

Today at lunch I went to the Scott Key Center and bought a flat of veggies for $15.90. The flat included a 6-pack of Better Boy tomaotes, 2 basil plants, and 4 6-packs of peppers (green peppers, red peppers, lady bell peppers, and habanero peppers).

Today I bought plants from the Walkersville H.S. FFA Club. I bought 6 Italian basil plants ($1 each), 4 rainbow blend tomato plants ($1 each), a 4-pack of La Roma tomato plants ($2), 2 4-packs of California Wonder sweet green peppers ($2 each) for a total of $16.

Today I brought hoses to the garden plot and tested the water system. Two hoses from home were enough to reach my plot. The onions have emerged, but the potatoes aren't up yet. One website (http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/homegardening/scenec6be.html) estimates 14-28 days for potatoes to emerge, depending on soil temperature. My potatoes were planted on April 17th, so hopefully they'll emerge in the next 10 days.