This post does not include a video but if you'd like to see them for this series on The Twenty-five Dollar Organic Victory Garden Challenge, click here to view them on YouTube.
I realize that if I only post a blog entry every time I have a new video to show, you're not getting much action in between in real time. So here's a shot of this mornings surprise harvest of 'green finger' cucumbers, compliments of seeds sent to me by my virtual friend on Twitter, Theresa Loe. These cucumbers are really tasty and I love the size. This is the second harvest from only about two plants. I also love that fact that they don't take up a lot of space in the garden. They're mostly 'hanging out along the front of my bamboo fence.
In other harvesting news, some of my squash will be ready for harvest tomorrow. Initially I was concerned that they were not getting pollinated because I hadn't seen any bees out there. So I hand-pollinated all I could. But today I saw honey bees in my garden and I was really excited about that.
Some of the pole beans, Chinese cabbage, chard and lettuce will come in tonight for dinner so now that it is officially well into summer, all the vegetables my family and I eat for the rest of the season must come from the garden. The tomato plants are doing well but I am a few weeks away yet from harvesting any of them.
My plans for the next video are to address the very few pests problems I'd had. Actually, I wouldn't even call them problems. I had a few whitefly and one cucumber beetle. But I feel like I need to addrsess what do do for pest control on a budget so I'm thinking that should make it into episode 12, which I'll edit and upload later this week.
That's all for now. The budget is still holding at $14.55 in total expenses. Now I'm wondering if I can keep it here for the rest of the season. How cool would that be to finish out the season for under $15?!?
If you'd like to see all the videos in this series, The Twenty-five Dollar Organic Victory Garden Challenge, they can be viewed on my channel at YouTube.
Under $15 - now you've jinxed it! Very nice cucumber harvest there. You must be very proud.
Posted by: Caroline | June 28, 2009 at 04:13 PM
Hi Caroline. I know it's still early in the game but I'm thinking positive. I had some of the cukes for lunch, sliced and mixed with a little balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. It was unbelievably delicious!
Posted by: Joe Lamp'l | June 28, 2009 at 04:35 PM
Lovely! I'm going to get some more cuc seeds to put in ... it may be late for me, but my first little ones didn't make it through all the rains and clouds we've had the last several weeks. I have faith!
Posted by: rose | June 28, 2009 at 11:09 PM
Keep the faith Rose. Thank goodness cucumbers grow quickly so you should have time before the summer is over for a second chance harvest. Good luck and keep me posted.
Posted by: Joe Lamp'l | June 28, 2009 at 11:18 PM
Hey Joe-
I thought my ears were burning! It is so funny to check in on your blog and see my name listed in the post.
I am so glad you are enjoying the cucumbers. They are tasty! The garden looks so lovely. Can't wait to see the next video.
We are harvesting a ton of squash out here in Southern California. I grew six different kinds this year and all are tasty. I wish I had sent you some seeds for the "Gadzukes" zucchini or the "Italian Summer Squash". I had never grown them before and they are fabulous. Is it too late for you to plant squash out your way?
Posted by: Theresa Loe/GardenFreshLiving | June 29, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Hey Theresa. Yes, your cukes are my new favorite! So, so good. I've already noted to make sure I grow those next year. Such a pretty little, carefree plant with many more cukes to harvest.
As far as the squash, I will harvest my first batch tonight and eat them straight away! My garden is packed so I have no more room at this point to plant anything new for summer but if you are planning on saving a few seeds, I'd love to grow them next year!
Posted by: Joe Lamp'l | June 29, 2009 at 10:25 AM
You got it Joe. I will save you some seeds. I plan on growing these next year as well.
I cut up some of the squash and added cut up onions, bell pepper and carrots (all from the garden). I added a little Balsamic vinegar, oil and some chopped basil and thyme (from the garden too, of course). Then I grilled them in a BBQ wok. OH MY...so yummy!
Posted by: Theresa Loe/GardenFreshLiving | June 29, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Joe, I grew 2 types of cucumbers - regular long green ones, and LEMON cucumbers. I planted them in rows next to each other. So far, all I see are long green ones. I read that cucumbers can cross-pollinate. Do you think I messed up my chances of seeing any lemon cucumbers? What should I have done to keep them from crossing? The book said to plant them miles or acres apart. hahahahaha - I don't have that much land.
Vera B.
Posted by: Verab | July 01, 2009 at 09:09 PM