Aphids have struck the radishes with disease! It's so sad... I planted a lot this year, successively, as Ulf loves them so much. I guess the right weather conditions and enough 'host' plants were just too good to resist for the little pests. As I'm trying to keep the garden as organic as possible, my only defense - or rather offense - against them is to squish them by hand.... rather a tedious exercise, but with great results. Unfortunately I don't think the radishes will recover, though. The damage has been done.
These lovely beauties were picked this morning - except the largest tomatoes which I just added to show you them! Cucumbers, four types of tomatoes, lettuce, gerkins (for my love), and zucchinis are prolific at the moment. It is such a lovely feeling to enjoy the bounty of all my hard work.
These are my summer peas! Or snowpeas (mangetout), I'm not actually sure which they are yet. I used the all vines from last season's crops as mulch around the tomatoes and here in front of the gerkins. And surprise, surprise, nature gives me a few 'for free'! No planning or sowing or extra special attention given, just push the little seeds into the earth and water the garden as normal.... and these little gifts appear!
My tomato ties have been everything from last years ties, an old t-shirt or two, or a worn out Indian silk skirt! The extra plants that required ties this year meant that I had to make more. And I just love the extra colour in garden!
I really put a lot my work into the garden this year than all the previous years. I found some great tips and advice in Rhonda Hetzel's 'Down To Earth', and also a great book on organic gardening 'Organic Guide to Edible Gardens' by Jennifer Stackhouse and Debbie Reynolds. I've put a lot of these new ideas into practice, with great results. The garden is more abundant and healthy than I've ever had it. I'm very happy with all that I'm learning!
I am glad that I have made the extra effort, though, as this will of course be my last vegetable garden for some time.
