July Update and Apple Tree Removal

Unfortunately, despite our efforts to eliminate them, the codling moths have again infested our apple trees.  Based upon our research we had to conclude that without using heavy chemicals we could not stop the infestation and so we had to remove the trees.

This is really disappointing as these mature trees could have produced significant amounts of apples, but we need to do so and it will allow more light to come into the garden next year.  We have also placed some of the branches in the chicken coop.

This gives the chickens shade, food, and as shown by Whinny above a place to roost.  Our garden has also grown significantly, however I will only be providing updates on those plants which have something other than size to show for now. 

Our zucchini is starting to flower, although no zucchini yet which is a little concerning as they usually grow very fast. 

Our tomatoes have also started to grow. 

In fact, we have our first ripe tomato!  We call these candy tomatoes as they are wonderfully sweet and the perfect size to eat as candy. 

Our green beans have grown at an alarming rate, while we don't yet have any beans, I expect we will in a few weeks.

Our eggplants have begun producing. 

As have our sweet peppers, in fact these are almost ready to pick.

Our sun flowers are also growing quickly, these are unlikely to produce until fall but they will grow extremely tall before they flower.

The mustard is flowering, so we are having yummy kale and mustard green salads.  Once the seed pods are dry we will also have mustard seed.

My watermelon is growing really well.

The below is the first of our watermelons, it is currently the size of a small marble. 

While some of our plants are a bit slow, we are hopeful we will have a good harvest, even if we don't reach our original goals.