<p>It’s been over ten weeks since I either purchased seedlings or placed seeds in my containers. Clearly there’s a steep learning curve for a casual gardener like me but I think I’ve learned a thing or two about plants and soil, LOL.</p>
<p>The tomato seedlings have done well, but an outbreak of little white pests (looks like miniture grains of rice) have spread on the Golden Jubilee’s stalks and leaves. Will a bath of soapy water get rid of them? I’m not even sure that they are whiteflies because they don’t move when I handle the leaves and there are few, if any, of the pests on the underside of the leaves. In any event, the Golden Jubilee has 5 little green fruits which have shown constant growth up to now. On the other hand, the Black Krim has been slow to bear fruit, but is otherwise healthy.</p>
<p>the Gold Zucchini has giant leaves and is showing immature fruit, but wonderful blossoms. The Magda Zucchini (Mexican) is not as vigorous but is healthy. The vines on the Okra are growing like kudzu but the temperature is not yet warm enough for a big growth spurt or fruit. One Yellow Wax bean seed grew two inches and then stopped. It looks anemic. A second Yellow wax bean seed planted three weeks later has already produced a bigger and healthier plant. The Lima bean plants are vigorous, as are the Broad Leaf Basil, Sage and young Cherry Tomato plants.</p>
<p>Planted Borage and Calendula to attract bees for pollination.</p>
<p>My homemade compost of green peels, shanghai and collard green stalks, eggshell, shrimpshell, coffee grinds and worm casings has given good results, compared to past seasons without compost.</p>
<p>What’s happening in your neck of the woods?</p>