Ladybugs...

...to the rescue!

As predicted, we are being inundated with aphids. They have covered the zuchinni and the cucumbers and are starting in on the melons. We've even found them on tomatoes. For the first few days of the infestation I just washed them off with the hose and waited for the cavalry...which has finally arrived.

Hopefully in time :)

Pupa stage...

...Larva, which actually eat the most aphids...

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...and the adult Lady bug.

So if you see these little creatures in your garden....let 'em alone, they have work to do!

Ta Da!

We have water!!!

Well, we've had water, it's just that now our drip system is hooked up to the main water system and is on a timer....Yipee!

Of course we are still working out the kinks in the system (tomatoes really don't need to be watered as often as zuchinni) but for the most part it's all good :)

Thanks Robert!

Beans

I picked 2lbs. of Provider green beans this morning....yippee!

(also - 3 more zuchinni and 2 green peppers)

Corn

We weren't sure we were going to bother with corn, but once a plant gets past about 6 inches, I just don't have the heart to pull it up. This does seem to be tasseling pretty early tho, the plants are short (about 4 feet tall) and not very old. But we haven't grown corn in quite a few years and never this variety (Spring treat) so we'll see.

You can just barely see the lima bean vine climbing up the stalks...and aren't the silks pretty...maybe we'll actually get something edible.

Drip System

We finished putting in the drip system...

...under the tomatoes...

...snaking it's way between the melon and pumpkin plants...

...and keeping the zinnias in front of pole beans nice and wet.

Tho I love going over to Joyces to see how the garden is progressing, having to spend an hour a day watering is not my idea of fun....at least not anymore...now my idea of fun is seeing what veggies are growing and what we will be having for dinner.

We are all anxiously waiting for this pepper to turn red

(we are easily amused :)

Progress Report

Still looks a bit unfinished without the DG walkways but everything is up and growing (picked 5 more zuchinni today - gave them to our neighbor). I've spent the last few days putting in a drip irrigation system (will post pics tomorrow).

First Harvest

I'm sure it won't take long before the excitement level dies down a bit, at least with zuchinni, but for now we are thrilled!

Future Tomatoes!

...Green Zebra

Weeding Inhales Deeply, But

It will pay off in the end.  The truth of weeding is a little done each day adds up and the job is done in a zen-like fashion.  Truth in gardening is better than truth in lending.

Ambrosia Cantelope

I'm very excited about this little melon ball!  We haven't grown cantelopes (or watermelon) in ages. They take up a lot of room and tend to get aphids that cover the leaves and sicken the plant before the melons can ever ripen.  I'm doing a bit of research on ways to combat the ahpid infestations should we encounter them.  Ladybugs do a great job on my roses, but then I have the luxury of not caring if a few flowers die off....... Stay tuned :)