It is amazing how much better the garden does with reasonable temperatures. The early rain we had this weekend will also go a long way. The plants are a better, deeper color green, tomatoes are so heavy I can barely stake or support them, and everything is in full blossom.
Last weekend we picked the first few cherry tomatoes. This weekend we will pick a few more. This is easily a month or more earlier than normal for us. We even have a big tomato ripening, Yay! I will also have enough Thai Hot Peppers to ferment again this year. I have two jars on my counter that have been happily fermenting away with garlic for 2 and 3 years. Why so long? Why not, plus, I have to find a good way to remove the seeds, which I haven’t found yet.
While things are generally going great so far, one problem does keep resurfacing: whatever pest keeps digging holes in the garden now also digs up a plant or two. We have tried putting water bowls out for it but it keeps digging. Holes I can tolerate. Digging up plants I cannot. So, I will try a two pronged approach this week: increased pine needle mulch and spraying a mixture of ground ghost peppers and vinegar around. Now I’ll just have to remember to wear gloves when I work in the garden.
Smoketree Cellars 