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    </div><p id="be34">I planted <a href="https://www.superseeds.com/products/snak-hero-pea-65-days">Snack Hero Peas</a> from <a href="https://www.superseeds.com/">Pinetree Garden Seeds</a>, a new variety for me. So far I have been pleased with them as they have grown and produced very well. We have been using them in stir-fry recipes and we also have frozen some (after blanching first). I would definitely plant this variety again.</p><figure id="def9"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*7b_JHlAdneWlhpYg3OCRHg.jpeg"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><figure id="7a28"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*fnXXkAI3bDOVApOqoyw1_Q.jpeg"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><figure id="1710"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*jHxv1OCj8tm2kx5kZ4dMnw.jpeg"><figcaption>Picking and Blanching Peas to be Frozen/Author Photos</figcaption></figure><p id="98cf"><b>Cucumbers and Squash</b></p><p id="a482">The cucumber (pickling and burpless) and squash plants zucchini and yellow) have been thriving in July also. I have these planted on my Hugelkultar bed in the lower garden. For a while in June they weren’t doing well, but the recent tropical-like weather with frequent rain has made them thrive. I am finding that the Hugelkultar bed requires frequent watering. It makes sense since it is a raised mound garden. Since it is built with rotting wood as the base, it was supposed to retain moisture. However, I am finding just the opposite thus far. Since the bed is relatively “young” (last season), I think with time it will compost more and mature and be even better. Overall I have been pleased with the Hugelkultar bed thus far.</p><figure id="628a"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*MeMIzaZn9Kti6Y1gR-vLQA.jpeg"><figcaption>Cukes From The Hugellultar Bed/Author Photo</figcaption></figure><p id="9f22">For those of you not familiar with the Hugelkultar gardening method, <a href="https://ko-fi.com/post/The-Trusty-Gardener-Making-Progress-on-the-Hugelku-L3L6CEP5J">this article explains.</a></p><figure id="aecd"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*rOQloaWHdUyXaGi4w_JlWQ.jpeg"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><figure id="9a35"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*Zl1TrW5qf23OS2ysk4_xdw.jpeg"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><figure id="3604"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*QxKl-C5uwMgtRDFE2zB17A.jpeg"><figca

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ption>The Hugelkultar Bed Planted With Cucumbers and Squash/Author Photos</figcaption></figure><p id="60f4">Stayed tuned for more updates. I am looking forward to more veggies including green beans, onions, leeks, carrots, potatoes, peppers, and of course, the heirloom tomatoes. The tomato plants have a good supply of green tomatoes thus far. Probably by mid-August, we will be able to enjoy these.</p><p id="b42c">Also in August, I will have a patch of sunflowers to enjoy. They are doing well. I have at least 75 planted.</p><figure id="88d6"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*oqlbrpT6Av2CKb656BuBiA.jpeg"><figcaption>The Sunflower Patch/Author Photo</figcaption></figure><div id="186f" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/the-road-lesstravelled-mountain-biking-in-and-around-bowman-lake-ny-state-park-ec12f25b910c"> <div> <div> <h2>The Road Less Travelled-Mountain Biking in and Around Bowman Lake NY State Park</h2> <div><h3>Volume 31-A Few Recent Awesome Bike Rides at One of My Go-To Destinations</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*-Q97miLdfGw94M7BrJBTIQ.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="d5cf" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/a-photo-essay-overall-garden-update-2beb3ec12fd1"> <div> <div> <h2>A Photo Essay-Overall Garden Update</h2> <div><h3>Dan‘s Almost Daily Journal-Volume 61-The Gardens are All Planted But There Is Always Work to Be Done</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*3rM6MaNYl5ROQpc9zqet1g.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="dff8" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/have-you-ever-tried-a-moonlight-hike-the-road-less-travelled-6d82858e086c"> <div> <div> <h2>Have You Ever Tried a Moonlight Hike?-The Road Less Travelled</h2> <div><h3>Volume 29-Hiking With the Bullthistle Hiking Club</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*iqY470kyQJViDfd2IZrfKg.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

The Harvest Continues-Strawberries, Peas, Cucumbers and Squash

Dan‘s Almost Daily Journal-Volume 62-All the Garden Work is Starting to Pay Off

Homegrown Strawberries/Author Photo

Welcome back. This Summer certainly has been hot and humid. Did I mention humid? Yesterday and today were the first days in quite some time when the humidity levels were lower. Felt so good. Don’t get me wrong, I like Summer. However, I do get tired of the humidity.

On the other hand, these tropical-like conditions have allowed the garden to thrive. Hot sun with adequate rain is a winning formula for gardening. So far in July, we have received about 3.4 inches of rain, which is a good amount for about halfway through the month. I haven't used the sprinkler kit I bought this Spring yet. I want to finish installing that before the end of the season. More on that in a future article.

Strawberries

My strawberry “patch” is in the backyard where the old swing set used to be. It’s a 3-level raised bed that I built a few years ago. This year the crop was later than usual as the berries ripened near the end of June into early July. Although the overall yield seemed lower this year at about 3 quarts, we enjoyed them and managed to freeze a few packages for later use. Our granddaughter loves to pick them. She gets so excited as if she’s finding hidden treasures.

The Strawberry Patch/Author Photos

Peas

The snap peas have done well this year. I planted them in mid-May and wrote about it in this article:

I planted Snack Hero Peas from Pinetree Garden Seeds, a new variety for me. So far I have been pleased with them as they have grown and produced very well. We have been using them in stir-fry recipes and we also have frozen some (after blanching first). I would definitely plant this variety again.

Picking and Blanching Peas to be Frozen/Author Photos

Cucumbers and Squash

The cucumber (pickling and burpless) and squash plants zucchini and yellow) have been thriving in July also. I have these planted on my Hugelkultar bed in the lower garden. For a while in June they weren’t doing well, but the recent tropical-like weather with frequent rain has made them thrive. I am finding that the Hugelkultar bed requires frequent watering. It makes sense since it is a raised mound garden. Since it is built with rotting wood as the base, it was supposed to retain moisture. However, I am finding just the opposite thus far. Since the bed is relatively “young” (last season), I think with time it will compost more and mature and be even better. Overall I have been pleased with the Hugelkultar bed thus far.

Cukes From The Hugellultar Bed/Author Photo

For those of you not familiar with the Hugelkultar gardening method, this article explains.

The Hugelkultar Bed Planted With Cucumbers and Squash/Author Photos

Stayed tuned for more updates. I am looking forward to more veggies including green beans, onions, leeks, carrots, potatoes, peppers, and of course, the heirloom tomatoes. The tomato plants have a good supply of green tomatoes thus far. Probably by mid-August, we will be able to enjoy these.

Also in August, I will have a patch of sunflowers to enjoy. They are doing well. I have at least 75 planted.

The Sunflower Patch/Author Photo
Gardening
Vegetables
Photography
Life
Organic
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