Yesterday I finally got in to clean up some of the corn stalks on one side of the bed. Once we take off the ear, we hardly need the corn stalk to stay up. So I take it down and give the squash more light. I've been complaining about the Upper Ground Sweet Potato Squash, but I was wrong.
The nasty invasive aggressive squash is the Thai Rai Kaw Tok. I messed it up before even though it is written down in my journal which plant went where. But since a squash finally set it made me look it up again as I knew I was wrong. I may never grow it again. As you can see it is heading out of its bed and going behind the upside down garbage can and beyond. That isn't all that unusual, but I have about four vines going there and I've been trying to keep them back. I've had to go into my neighbor's yard and cut it back. At least it has set a squash though so I can taste it. I do tend to like the oriental squashes. And a squash that I don't have to peel is always a bonus. Maybe it will set lots and make me contemplate growing it again.
The stalks were taken over to the compost pile.
And they got a bit chopped up to compost better. I know a lot of people would shred them before putting them in, but I don't have any power tools for the garden. Well except the electric lawn mower. Even our trimmer is a hand trimmer.
And having absolutely nothing to do with my corn, I give you a gratuitous peach photo. Yum. They are starting to take over my kitchen. Not that I'm complaining. Lots of peaches is a great thing.
Things are beginning to happen in my little garden now! I've got four types of squash setting fruit: yellow summer squash, pattypans, butternut and - my first try at an oriental squash - kuri. And yesterday I ate my first bowl of 201 beans - the golden crescent pole beans that I grew and loved and saved seed from last year. Very satisfying! :)
ReplyDeleteI meant to type "bowl of 2015 beans"...not that I ate a bowl of 201 beans ;)
DeleteLove the peaches! We need to start some here but they always seem to slip our minds every year.
ReplyDeleteThat is one squash gone wild! I'm wondering if perhaps the Thai Rai Kaw Tok would be a good squash to put in the corn bed - it looks like it would take over the bed much more quickly than the butternut...maybe even quick enough to dissuade my corn stalk muncher.
ReplyDeleteNo it is too vigorous. Early on the corn looked really nice, but the squash took it over. I think it will be less productive than usual. So unless the squash is really really good or super productive, I won't be using it again.
DeletePeaches. Oh my beating heart.
ReplyDeletePeaches yum! But with peaches each year come fruit flies. How do you combat them?
ReplyDeleteI do get fruit flies inside sometimes (probably from the bananas from the store). But I don't get them out in the yard. Or at least not that I've noticed.
DeleteThe Thai squash is rambunctious to say the least. I gave it the fence to climb on, and it has gone nuts. I'm just now getting some female blooms set. It was late setting on last year too.
ReplyDeleteYour peaches look so beautiful! My mouth started watering instantly.
ReplyDeletelove a gratuitous peach shot. any time, please!!
ReplyDeleteHobart's royal botanic gardens grew corn in circles about a metre across, and then have left them, tied together the tops (so I resembles a tepee shape) and are now growing beans and peas up the dried stalks. how clever is that?