Friday, July 24, 2009

So Close

Even when it feels like a million different things are going on at once, slowly,



The reality is I can only do one thing at a time. And for the most part I am focused on one thing at a time as a mental health measure.



Plumbing has been the focus for a while now. The long distraction of the two walls was plumbing related after all.

That is it, the entire system as it exists under the cozy cabin put back together to remove the leaks. Of course the other half is inside. I somehow did not glue one piece and it still leaks. I almost made it. Fortunately it is easy to disassemble because the coupling used in the repair above it screws on and off. I would have a picture of it, not that anyone would really find it that interesting, but the flash on my camera after a series of explosions has finally died and the picture was too dark.

One more bit of glue inside on a fitting and the drain lines and vent stacks will be leak free.



It is almost time for the big tomatoes to start ripening. I have picked the first of the Juliet tomatoes, a grape tomato. One site called them a saladette tomato. It is small like a cherry tomato, but elongated like a paste tomato.



The sweet corn is coming. I was told and then read recently that squash was a good thing to plant around the corn to deter the raccoons because they don't like the prickly hairs on the squash. It just so happens by chance some zucchini ended up planted on both ends of the corn. It is not surrounded by squash though. I know the raccoon is here. I have seen the evidence deposited in several places. This point in the corns life is so nerve wracking.



After a springtime of seedling predation, the third time with styrofoam cups around the seeds managed to get the cucumbers large enough to become unpalatable to the grasshoppers. Finally, this late in the season the cucumbers are beginning to cuke. Now if the wilt just leaves them alone.



No matter what there will always be plenty of the flowers. We may lose some of them and never know it.



The Echinacea are making their appearance. I of course will need them grouped in single locations instead of scattered about. That way I can focus on them as their own species.

7 comments:

Autumn Belle said...

Looks like you've got some fruits for your labout. The blooms are beautiful.

Carol Michel said...

I know what you mean about this time in the corn's life is nerve-wracking. I've seen the evidence of a raccoon near my garden, too. But, I'm hopeful the squash trick will work. Even if it doesn't, I've picked and enjoyed a few ears of an early variety called 'Spring Treat'. And I have cucumbers everywhere... no sign of wilt this year! Hope you have the same.

Carol, May Dreams Gardens

Christopher C. NC said...

Hi Autumn Belle. There has been plenty of fresh produce this year despite the grasshoppers.

Carol last night the raccoon made off with the suet feeder cage. I am hoping it is distracted by all the food around the house. There were suspicious teeth marks in one of the acorn squash though. I am afraid the wilt may have found the cucumbers again. We have had a few so far. I just don't think it will be a bumper crop this year.

Lola said...

Glad the plumbing is ok. Hopefully you won't have to take it apart again.
Maybe the coon will leave the corn alone. I got 4 ears off the 3 plants. Just enough for the ggk's. I planted a few seed for them. It was a new kind that produced smaller ears. It was a test. No squash out of 2 plantings in different places. It has rained so much I'm surprised anything made.

Lola said...

Sorry, I meant to ask how the grass is doing that is in the first pic? Does it spread? I like the looks of it. If it spreads by root or rhizome I could put it in a barrel I guess.

Christopher C. NC said...

Lola the plumbing is leak free now and ready for inspection.

That grass in the first picture is another Miscanthus sinensis. I am not sure of the cultivar name. It is one of the bigger cultivars at six feet and it is a clumping grass not a spreader. Dave's Garden Plant Files would be a good place to look at all the Miscanthus sinensis cultivars.

Anonymous said...

Oh dear, I am worried about that coon. I have had the suckers check the ears for ripeness and then the whole crop disappears one night. I guess there is not much you can do at this point.
I have read keeping cukes under row covers till they flower may help with wilt. Like you really had time to do that this year while struggling with the cabin! Like you said, one thing at a time. Good luck with the inspector man!

bev