It took three posts to do it, but I will be caught up-to-date with my garden’s growth chart at the end of this writing..hahahaha.
Water, water, everywhere water….and not a drop to spare. In a cruel twist of irony, this usually rain soaked portion of the Pacific Northwest becomes very, very dry in the two – three heated growing months. A common saying around here is, “Summer starts on July 5th.” From what I have seen, it also marks the end of any kind of rain (this year was about two weeks earlier) until fall. We’re on a well, and with the help of a water storage tank, it produces more than our daily needs. Water use and conservation here or in the Bay Area has always had to be in our thoughts, and habits…drought conditions are not uncommon in California. In par with that, watering the garden has to be adequate, but not over-abundant. To combat this, and maximize the watering, I try to build little mounds and tributaries around where I want the water to flow and stop. Nobody wants a stream running away from their plants. Sometimes I’ll give a shot of water…let it seep into the soil…then repeat several times for one plant just to maximize the concentration of water into one spot. It takes patience.
I’ve been noticing a real lack of honey bees visiting the flowers in waiting. My plants are really huge at this point, they have flowers, but barely a bee. I do have some beautiful gems that have started, and a few larger than that, but it is getting to the point that I might consider “artificial inpollination” (play on words here) to bring more for the harvest….Tony said all I would need is a cotton swab…I don’t know, it seems a little imposing hahaha. I hope they start showing up!!!
Whatever our difficulties, the earth is giving back!! Our plants are beautiful….take a look!! These pictures are the latest taken on July 20th…one month later from yesterday’s post.
Potatoes, Corn and Pumpkins in the background
Potatoes, Celery, and Corn… I did not expect the potatoes to get soooo big.
Tomatoes, with Peppers in front
One pot full of Watermelon, and Cantaloupe
Gourds in the foreground…Pinto Beans in the background.
Pumpkins!! I’ve never seen pumpkins start out yellow instead of green…
The strangest pumpkin I’ve ever seen
Taking my morning trek down to the front gate with Penni, I discovered where the current honey bee hangout has developed….they are all over our wild blackberry bushes!!! Blackberry jam is right around the corner…YAY!!!
Build Me a Dream 
Comments on: "Where Are the Bees??" (6)
Looking good! Yellow pumpkin… I haven’t seen that before either.
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I know….isn’t it weird??!! There are a few more on the vines of that plant that are also yellow. I can’t wait to see what’s on the insides. Maybe it’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!!!! Hahahahaha
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There was a massive die off of bumble and honey bees in parts of Oregon this year due to a company spraying Safari insecticide on Linden trees when they were blooming. You may be seeing the effect of that. Though there are less bees every year it seems.
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You’re right, I saw that on the news!! Anything is possible, just ask my yellow pumpkin. We have less yellow jackets, and hornets too.
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Looking good Sis. I will see for myself soon. I HATE bee’s keep them down by the Blueberry bushes. Love ya Talk to you soon.
Steve
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YAY, you guys!!! Roni told me the dates. It will be great to see you, Sheila, Bella, and Christina (if she’s able to make it up this trip.) It’s really dry and warm this summer. No rain since about the first week of June.
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