Earlier today when I was talking on how mother nature as being cruel with the sun? Well later that afternoon the sun went behind the clouds again and it started feeling cool. So of course I went outside one more time. Will I never learn?
The broccoli really needed to be weeded. Not that you can tell from this photo. Not many weeds make it past the huge broccoli leaves. The lighter colored leaves in the middle are not weeds but salad turnips.
This one weed did get past the broccoli leaves though. It is a much hated weed here. Not because it is hard to control. It pulls out easily, but because the stem is covered in tiny spines that can scratch up your arm. I haven't figured out what it is. The closest I've come is a wild cucumber, but they have tendrils on them to climb. this one climbs by wrapping around things. My neighbors on both sides don't control these so they go to seed and spread into my yard and climb fences over into mine. I'd be fine but I have to remember to wear gloves. Ouch!
Most of the broccoli plants are doing well, but no signs of heading yet. I lost one to root maggots. Another was attacked by them, but grew past it. It was stunted for a while, but seems to be catching up. The plants look amazingly healthy right now. I'm thinking I should get a succession crop ready when some of them come out. Some I'll leave in for side shoots.
I lifted the row cover that I had down and found the turnips and beets had germinated. So I had to get the netting up to protect them. The row cover was placed directly on the ground to help with the parsnip germination. Those haven't shown yet, and I don't expect them to for a while. But the turnips needed to be uncovered so they could grow.
Hopefully this will keep those nasty root maggots out. Though right now I think we might be between generations.
In the middle of my work the sun came out again to burn me up. So once I finished that cover I came back inside all sweaty. But at least inside I can still smell the rose with all my windows open. Oh it smells good.
I have the same weed down at my community garden and I learned last year that it is wild hops.
ReplyDeleteYes it looks just like pictures of those. Thanks I never knew it was an edible weed.
DeleteWild hops? I have that weed in my garden. I wonder if my nephew, who makes beer, could use it :-)
DeleteNow if only someone could find a use for bittersweet.
Looks like it's Japanise hops - invasive plant that's hard to get rid off.
DeleteThis weed you wrote about reminds me a bramble, which grows in my garden and has little spines as well.
ReplyDeleteDoes this white fabric prevent snails from eating the plants? I mean, can they pass through it, under or not?
No the white row cover does nothing for slugs. They get in just fine. It is to keep the cabbage butterflies out.
DeleteOh wow, your rose bush is looking amazing. I wonder if you can make beer with wild hops.
ReplyDeleteYour climbing rose is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThose broccoli plants look wonderful! That's another veggie that I've been meaning to add to my list.
ReplyDeleteLove your climbing roses, so beautiful.
ReplyDelete