Another one bites the dust

 Clouds today but no rain keeping the ambient temp comfortable so I was able to work out in the garden midday with little discomfort. Yay! Cloudy weather is predicted for a week but then, once again, clear off with summer yucky 90's. Last night the parrot flock flew in, there were so many they were roosting in all the trees not just our sycamores. The Eucalyptus and trash tree over the fence, and other trees out in front and along the street. Loud and raucous but kind of fun.  They are still around this morning, about half of them at least. in the trees over the fence and a few still in the sycamores. Likely due to the cooler weather because they've never lasted beyond eleven or noon before.

As I was nipping and tucking the trellis tomato a cabbage white fluttered up and I apologized for disturbing it. Then realized that was the one likely responsible for all the worms on my plant.  That is where it settled for the night I suppose. The tomato decoy worked so I picked it up and chucked it over to the compost buckets. The point is to get them in one spot and remove them not just give them a free meal.

It really wasn't that dark but I had to turn HDR on to reduce the glare on the tomatoes. I love a fresh canvas of soil to plan things. Before I can do anything I need to figure out how to get four more bags of soil. I figured out if I don't use the sprayer I can water with little collateral damage from the rest of the hose. So I used my thumb to give a little spray and pressure and pointed the major break at the log pile.

At least five more cucumbers are growing. Two are very straight and looking good and are away from the bugs. The other three are curled or slightly crooked.

The seriously curled ones may never have enough to eat so at least two or three will be ready in about a week or so. I started eating the second one I harvested and it is as good as the first one. Yay! 

 

Yes indeed that is new leaves on that runner, nothing noticeable on the other three plants. The sunflower seeds are progressing and hoping to be able to harvest those next week.

That is indeed cilantro and now realize I pulled another one that was coming up because I thought it was some of the grass. Darn it. Oh well. That other tomato seems to be doing okay as far as fruit is concerned but they are small and round. That will be the next one to go now that I've pulled the one in the south bed.

 

I looked at it, walked back and forth, looked at it again, trimmed a little on the back then realized it had spider mites and made the decision to pull it. Only two tomatoes on it and I wasn't going to let it fester any longer. I learned my lesson with the previous bush.

Pulled the stake out, untangled the wire and it just fell over because that was all that was holding that branch up. Inspection reveals definite spider mite damage so I went back upstairs and grabbed a bag.

Handy dandy bag holder was remembered and proceeded to cut and drop the pieces in the bag. Easy peasy clean up for sure.

 

Well the roots were certainly healthy, a lot of popping sounds when I was digging it out. I had to use the shovel because of how it had spread out so much. That's a good sign though, all the plants have had great root systems and I'm really thrilled to see it.

That big root is as thick as a pencil! I didn't cut it with the shovel that one was one of the louder pops when it broke. The soil was dark but not wet, a bit on the dry side actually and I suspect I'll need to water the onions tomorrow.

And cat deterrent was remembered at the last minute before taking the trash bag to the dumpster. Luckily the greenwaste bin still had some room in it so I dumped it in there then tossed the bag into the trash.

Another successful day of gardening with the summer season winding down. There is some mite damage on the trellis tomato so I'll be giving that a trim tomorrow but there are too many tomatoes on that to just rip it out right now.

Oh, that onion I took seeds from and the picture? I walked past it last week and the flower stalk was broken off at the half way point. Wonder if the owner did it or someone else, the resident/owner was out in their driveway and I toyed with the idea of asking about it but didn't bother and kept walking.

Time for some food then off to shuttle duty and might find some plants to take pictures of.