Wet weather, new predators & 3 kiddos running around.

Haven't done the best job updating my blog this year,  but here is a little update.  Had a great start to planting, thought I was behind but according to my journal last year I am 2 weeks ahead of schedule. Which brings me to my next frustration...noticed my sweet pepper plants had been eaten on and I was missing some cucumbers, Carrots and my radishes were ripped out of the ground. Did a quick check of the fence and found no holes or other damage to it. Figured my vole was back from last year or the Chipmunks had found a way in the garden again. Did a quick check to see what I needed to replant and started right in.

Fast forward to the next morning, come out and to my suprise all my pole bean seeds and bush bean seeds have all been dug up and eaten. At this point I'm pretty irate and still can't figure out what is eaten things!  Had to leave for a family cookout, left things as they were till I could return. Upon returning that evening,  I decided to go around the house and quietly approach the gate to the garden to see what I could see.  Much to my suprise there were about 12 birds ago in the beds,  just going to town on the seedlings and the freshly planted seeds.  Looks like my owl of the last 3 years has worn off its effectiveness. ..first time I've ever had birds in my garden.

On a side note,  I'm might have angered some birds we have living in our vent on the side of the house that is right above the garden. I have been spraying water at them in an attempt to get them to leave,  but the other day I heard baby birds in the vent,  so I fear I'm stuck with them for a little while longer. Makes me wonder if they called all their friends over to reek havoc in my garden as payback....

Installed some pie pans on strings and it seems to have worked.   The birds occasionally chew the pans off the string almost as if they are reminding me that they are still watching me closely.  Aside from that, things are looking good. Radishes are almost ready to be picked.  The Sugar Snap Peas have really taken off along with the Pole Beans and Tomatoes. Cucumbers have been a disaster, resulting in having to replant almost all of them this past week. Lettuce has been slow, but this 80°+ weather hasn't helped either along with the spinach too. Broccoli and Brussel Sprouts are slowly coming up, hopefully the heat doesn't affect them too much.

Overall, things are moving along. Really can't wait to harvest some stuff for the dinner table!  Enjoy the pics and till next time!

Beds are raised and a cold front comes through..

Finally was able to get out in the garden and start raising the beds up. This will give more if the raised bed look as well as make it easier for my boys to get in and do some work. It also added almost 38 Sq feet more in growing space....much better utilization of my space. Still need to add some topsoil and mix it in with the leaves and grass clippings from last fall. Will still dig down about a foot into the clay in hopes of amending it quite well!

Had planned on getting things seeded last week, but we have had 3 nights of hard freezes here in Indiana....  Really hope it warms up, my indoor seeds are getting g big enough to start the transplant process!!

Onions Sprouting & more started.

Since it's 65° out, moved the plants to a window sill.  Things are starting to pick up with seedlings!

Fall cleanup and setting up for next year.

Doing my fall cleanup while the weather is nice. Middle of November and still 63 outside.....next year building a hoop house...should be able to harvest through mid November.

Big changes for next year, adding 33 more growing squares and moving the tomatoes and zucchini to a location outside of the garden.  Also raising the beds up by one more 2x4, in hopes of getting a better soil mix and drainage.

Still need to finish raising the beds and getting more compost and soil in the beds before snow falls. Not to mention fix the deer fence....we have a strat cat that has chewed a hole through the fence to dig in the garden.

Till next time!