Here is an update on the progress of the scouts toward Gardening Merit Badge. We have been meeting at the garden to do some weeding and harvesting. We also worked on requirement 3, talking about the nutritional value of above ground vegetables, tubers, and fruits. Next up we are going to talk about requirement 7. It deals with pests and diseases as well as solutions to those problems. The requirement left (5, 6, and 8e) which are visiting the county extension agent, talking about honey bees and working with a beekeeper.

On the vegetable side of the garden we have harvested lettuce, radishes, and a few carrots. We still have carrots, onions, green beans and lettuce in the works. The rabbits have hit the green beans pretty hard. Our peas sprouted, but were planted a little to late to produce much. I also let the scouts harvest a few things from my garden. We’ll probably plant a few things for Fall in our vacant squares.

On the flower side things are really starting to take shape. You’ve probably noticed a number of flowers from the butterfly mix we put in. It looks like there is going to be a lot more activity there in the next few months. The marigolds have done extremely well from our humble beginnings. They are very close to flowering and it looks like we will have some excellent blooms. The black eyed susans are progressing, but I have a feeling those will take a while yet. Unfortunately our petunias failed to mature, but the scouts are pretty happy about what is coming in.

–Courtesy of W.M.

The photos shown are a succession of pictures taken from June through October. They include the early beginnings of the garden, 6 weeks growth, 12 weeks growth, visit to a beekeeper, visit to Cleveland Botanical Gardens, and building a compost bin. In all six scouts earned their Gardening Merit Badge. See what it takes to earn the Gardening Merit Badge.

WEDNESDAY WALKABOUTS IN THE GARDEN

During July the Wednesday Walkabouts have focused more on wildlife than on plants!  Last week, for instance, we observed a lovely pale green grasshopper, a ladybug, cucumber beetles, and, oh yes, that crazy rabbit!  While the damage didn’t seem too significant last week, the email traffic containing rabbit complaints has really picked up this week.

Rabbits like to garden too – and they are much better harvesters than we are!  Fencing and organic repellants are really the only alternatives available to us.  Not only that, but we have to be constantly on alert since whatever we do, the rabbits will have a countermove ready to implement.  It’s war out there!  So my only advice is to protect your new rows of lettuce, beans, or (soon) peas with chicken wire or find a natural repellant that can be used on vegetables – read the label carefully.  Then pray for predators.

We also observed plenty of fungal diseases taking hold in the garden.  Nothing surprising there considering the wet weather we’ve experienced.  Remember that watering at soil level (not sprinkling) is better since the diseases are in the soil.  Splashing the water onto the soil and up to the plant really spreads the spores!  Also, now that most of the tomatoes have flowered, you can remove the lower branches near the ground.  (At least most tomatoes are too tall for bunny munching!).

Have you thought about fall vegetable gardening?  Why not give it a try? You still need to do some planning by checking seed packets and counting back to figure out when to seed.  Remember to add an extra 14 days to account for the change in light as summer wanes.  You still have time to plant some beans, kale, peas, broccoli, and cabbage.

Here are some things to consider:

• Replace the nutrients in your plot that the spring and summer crops used up (for example, use compost, manure, or a complete organic fertilizer).
• If we have an extended dry period (like this week), seed germination might be more difficult.  Plant deeper and water them well.  You can use straw to mulch and keep the soil more moist and a bit cooler.

Check out the Fall Vegetable Gardening Handout posted on the web page and in the shed.  I’ll have additional handouts at our meeting on August 29.

Happy Harvesting,

Jo Ann Bartsch

Walkover May 6