Another visitor to the garden and more tomatoes

 Forgot to get out last night but everything is fine. Gardener's Anxiety Syndrome, yes you saw it first here on my blog, I have G.A.S. You worry and fuss over the garden and if you don't get out there at least twice a day the fear of missing something happening is real. 

The weather is breezier today not as hot but that will change very soon. Will probably turn on the AC later as the sun hits the front of the apartment. For now it's tolerable, comfy and breezy.

One of eight tomatoes harvested this morning, this is the biggest one. I kept three and put the rest on the table. I need to figure out how to make and can sauce, paste and diced tomatoes. I don't have the jars to do it yet and need to get on it with all the tomatoes in the fridge.

The cucumber flowers have closed up and the plants themselves have started to take over. The main 'leader' growth points are now laying down and will be escaping the confines of the raised bed very soon. I'll have to keep an eye on it and coax them to follow the walls on the inside. The issue with the cucumbers is the flowers are covered by the leaves so winged pollinators can't see them. Will have to carry a paintbrush down with me tomorrow in case the next round of flowers has opened.

Also, as I was watering the raised bed this morning, a movement caught my eye to the left and looking over saw one of the female hummingbirds checking out the sunflower then perched on the cage to the right of the sunflower. I couldn't get my phone out fast enough and she was off and away before I could capture it. I then realized that one of the breaks in the hose was spraying in that direction and she may have taken advantage of the light shower.

Water fountains that spray or dribble are the number one attracting element in a garden. Not just the water itself but the sound carries a great distance more than a bird feeder. If I ever get a garden big enough it will have a water feature for sure. Nothing grandiose and probably DIY but it will be an essential element.

Oh the green Fig Beetles are making their rounds now as well.  One or two have been buzzing around the building lately and the Eurasian doves are back as well. The spider is gone, oh well, would not be surprised if it was snapped up by a bird in the morning or evening the other day. No sign of her web at all either. Such is nature.

Other than that, have to budget for a new hose because the breaks are becoming annoying now. I spoke with one of the younger garden guys and he was just as annoyed about the chopping and hacking that was done and from his description, it's the guy I thought it was who touts being a gardener for 20 years and no one else knows as much as he does. He's not allowed to water anymore or touch the gardens because of that. I mentioned the hose issue with him explaining I had replaced the previous one but this had four holes already and it was only a year old. He commiserated with me and mentioned the metal sheathed one someone else had and I had to tell him that isn't on the market anymore as far as I know.  So I didn't get a chance to ask if the complex would replace the hose and essentially, the garden is for the residents to take care of.  Not in so many words but not offering to get a hose was implied.

So that does it for today, please alert your fellow gardeners of the G.A.S and be aware of the signs.