Each year I learn a little and try out different techniques. Although 50 miles north of Atlanta and slightly higher, it gets really hot. So one of the changes was to establish a new growing area which receives full sun through mid-day and is shaded from the afternoon sun by large maple trees (I must remember to check the trees’ roots are not invading my growing area). And I have noticed a difference.
I battled last year with cucumbers and this year they are doing much better protected from the scorching afternoon heat. Lots of flowers and already harvested a lot of cucumbers but some demises and its a race to see how much more will be produced before they fade away.
Last year my nasturtiums barely survived – this year, protected from the afternoon sun they are doing better but are a pale shadow of the lusty specimens I saw in the San Francisco area.
I brew my own beer and, in a spirit of enterprise and optimism, I decided to grow some hop plants. The flowers of the hop plant are used for flavoring and stability in beer brewing. My plants are growing slowly and hesitatingly. Maybe they will speed up and I will have something for my brew next year?
Although the vine borer is hard at work I am still getting squash plants. A much better outcome than last year.
I did not do very well with my cuttings. Although the apple cuttings took root they did not survive the heat. I waited too long and this year I will take my cuttings in the fall. However, the fig cuttings were very easy to propagate and below is one of my new fig saplings.
I am looking forward to some pears. Three of my pear trees are bearing for the first time and are bearing well. Unlike the apples they seem to be free of visitors.
Finally, a little color always helps. Two years ago I seeded some zinnia flowers (must have read they are beneficial in some way) and now they self seed and spread and seem well acclimatized to survive without any irrigation.
