Yesterday Lucy Puggle and I built another garden box. 2 down, 14 more to go. And, did I tell you, I think I might have a new boyfriend? He works at the Home Depot in the lumber department.
Twice this week I’ve walked in and asked him to pick out boards for me {I want to make sure I’m getting good ones}. After he selects the wood, he then rolls the cart to the back and cuts one of the boards in half for me.
Did you know Home Depot will cut your wood for you, for free? Hot dog, why didn’t I know this?
Lucy and I also dug up a few more potatoes. I’m thinking about making fully loaded baked potato soup this weekend. Have you tried it? Potato soup is delicious.
Red, white and blue potatoes are awesome.
We also picked a few cherry tomatoes to snack on too.
Did your squash leaves get white powdery mildew on their leaves this year? About half of mine did.
Luckily it didn’t seem to bother the sugar pie pumpkins.
But I’m keeping my fingers crossed though, I’ve still got a lot more pumpkins to harvest in the coming weeks.
How is YOUR garden doing lately?
Have you harvested any pumpkin yet?
Mavis wants to know. 😉
Laura says
Lowes cuts wood (and pipe, wire, etc.) for free too! I wouldn’t use them for precise measurements, but rough cuts are fine.
Most of my pumpkins look just like yours, but I did have one all orange one, which was already turned into cookies! I think this year was the first time I DIDN’T get powdery mildew! I didn’t do anything different myself, so it must be the weather or change of planting location.
Nancy D says
My squash plants have major powdery mildew this year. Driving around, I’ve noticed that most of the gardens (even a commercial farm with acres of squash) have it. Does anybody know why? In the Pacific NW where I live, we had a hot dry spell from the end of June to the middle of August so it couldn’t have been due to excessive rain. Do I have to do anything special with the old diseased plant and/or the ground to make sure it’s okay for next year? I know I shouldn’t plant squash there next year.
Cecily says
I thought it was pretty humid here in Tacoma this summer. High humidity, lack of full sun and crowding the plants are some of the culprits when it comes to powdery mildew. Don’t compost the plant material or the spores could infect next years plants. Either throw them away or burn them and as you already know, don’t plant squash in the same place next year. Hope this helps.
Kaia says
I just noticed my pumpkins are getting powdery mildew and thought it quite strange, as we are in the DRY side of the state.. Weird. I hope it doesn’t affect mine either, as there’s still lots to ripen! Also hoping it doesn’t freeze before then but my hopes aren’t too high on that.. it was 35(!!) yesterday morning. If we do get a frost, how can I protect them?
Becky says
Hi Mavis, I love your site and all your tips! So how much vermiculite and peat moss are you gonna have to buy to fill 16 planting boxes?! That stuff is expensive. On a related note ALL my vegies are stunted and I think its because I’ve been trying to grow them in plain dirt (silly me.) I think I am going to need to invest in your expensive mix (1 part each: vermiculite/peat moss and fertilizer) so i need to find out how much it is going to cost me. Thanks for any info/tips. Becky
Mavis Butterfield says
Hi Becky, using that mix would cost a fortune to fill all 16 boxes. For most of my boxes I use a mix of topsoil, leaf litter, chicken fertilizer and compost.
julie (olympia) says
I had white mildew all over my zuke plants too!! I’m new to gardening so i figured it was my fault! But maybe not?? Also, some zukes are extremely hard…not enough water?
Jenifer says
Off topic, I am not a dog person (the kind that likes them, but doesn’t have one) – but every time Lucy is shown, I swear I get goofy and want a dog. She’s adorable.
Cecily says
My squash got powdery mildew also but it didn’t seem to affect the squash themselves. My garden faces south and gets full sun from sunrise to sunset so I’ve already harvested all the squash. I got 100 pounds of Galeux d’Eyesines, 45 pounds of pink banana, and 11 pounds of mixed small squash and pumpkins. Not bad from a single 3X7 raised bed if you ask me.
MELISSA ENGSTROM says
MY ZUCCHUNI PLANTS HAD IT THIS YEAR AND I LIVE IN ARIZONA BUT THEY STILL PRODUCED PLENTY. I ONLY HAD A FEW SQUASH THOUGH.
Amy E says
Hi Mavis,
I just noticed in the top picture that the box you’re building looks like it’s on a little bit of a hill. Did you have to dig out a flat foundation for it or does it work okay being on a little slant? My whole yard is a hill, and I’ve wanted to make raised beds but the thought of all that leveling kind of scares me away, so I’ve just been growing veggies in containers so far.
Mavis Butterfield says
You’re right, the area is a little bit on a hill and no, I did not dig out a flat foundation. I’m not super picky, so it seems to work just fine. I have had no drainage issues or anything like that either.
Amy E says
Thanks! That’s good to know. I think I can use more places than I originally thought. Of course, the sunniest spot is also the steepest (we had to prop up the big tomato pots with a brick so they wouldn’t tip over) so I might still have to dig out a little bit there. Oh, and I wanted to say thanks, too, for inspiring me to plant fall veggies for the first time!
Celie says
Here’s a question for you, Mavis: what is that round green container in your first picture? I’ve noticed it before in your pictures, but have not figured out what it is. Maybe this could be a new segment on your blog: name that object.
Mavis Butterfield says
Ha! It’s our underground propane tank. 🙂
Linda says
Yes lots!! I made pumpkin purée and then made pumpkin granola, and this past Saturday I made pumpkin cheesecake bars!!! So good!!