Bird Shrine

I call it a bird shrine but it is basically a frame for hanging wind chimes and hummingbird feeders. This year the posts rotted so I will be making a new frame to replace the old. These frames last about 8 years of being outdoors.

my old, broken bird shrine

Using seven pieces of inexpensive 1x2x96-inch furring strips, I made two bundles, four pieces for the uprights and three pieces for the cross members. I then cut three notches into the uprights and four notches into the cross pieces. I use a table saw to cut all the pieces at once. I assemble the uprights and cross pieces using the notches. I drill through the center and glue a dowel to peg the pieces together

notching multiple furring strips with a table saw
assembling notched pieces with dowels and glue
assembled frame

new Bird Shrine installed
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Northern NJ Garden 2025

February 2025 March 2025April 2025 Pest ControlS1pring Lawn Care
Outdoors May 2025

It is February and in northern New Jersey, our gardens slumber underneath snow and ice. But this is the time to get an early start on our flowers and vegetables! Follow along with us as we prepare our 2025 gardens!


Organization

Checking my gardening equipment and supplies

Time to dig up (sorry!) all my gardening equipment and supplies. From my garden shed, I gathered my small pots and some “winter sown” bottles that I saved from last year. I also took my saved seed packets from the refrigerator. I created a small work area using some lawn furniture stored in the basement and cleaned my grow light shelving to prepare for my seedlings. Now that all my materials are in one place, I am ready to sow seeds.


Lets Start Some Herbs and Flowers!

It’s a little early (February 11) to start vegetables indoors, but it’s a good time to replenish my fresh dill and basil. I froze my basil and dill from last year, and my supply is getting short.

A good start to an herb garden is to buy an herb variety kit.

starting an indoor herb garden in northern New Jersey
Herbs started in light trays

Winter Sowing – start your plants outside in NJ

I started mammoth sunflower seeds outside in bottles. The bottles have small holes poked in them. They are from the winter sowing method. I started them early outside, in this case outside in the snow and cold of winter.
Winter sowing, or overwintering outdoors, starts the season early and allows the seeds to germinate as soon as the weather improves.

Winter sowing in northern New Jersey
Winter-sown sunflowers outside

Winter sowing involves planting seeds in containers and leaving them outdoors to germinate as the temperatures increase over the winter. This process encourages the seeds to germinate naturally, which leads to stronger, healthier, more resilient plants. The plants then adapt to the local climate throughout the winter, as well as to any fluctuations in temperature, resulting in hardy plants and flowers. This method is also very simple to execute, which is also a big plus for your garden. You can just set your containers outdoors to do their thing and the nature will take care of the rest.

March 2025 Garden Activities

We had over an inch of rain last night and our daffodils and flower bulbs are starting to peek out in the garden. We will be monitoring our asparagus garden for sprouts. Hopefully the weather will hold out so we can start raking thatch from our lawn and weed the strawberry patch.

Our indoor herb garden is growing. Basil, Cilantro, dill and oregano are growing slowly but soon we will be enjoying fresh herbs.

I have been adding to my winter-sown garden as I get new bottles form the recycling bin I have plenty of sunflower seeds to sow. Sunflowers attract pollinators, look great and the seeds are delicious!

Winter-sown Sunflowers
filling plant trays with potting mix
trays with potting soil

I like to start my garden seeds indoors and then move them outside once the weather warms up. I save my nursery and seed starter trays from the previous year. Then I put them together to create grow trays to get my seedlings started.

I am planning to start marigold seeds harvested from last year’s flowers in these trays.

I set up another tray for peat pellets which I will use to plant Early Girl Tomatoes

peat pellet tray readied for tomatoes

March 10, 2025 – Outdoor Garden Cleanup!

garden shed (Bear Fort)
garden shed (Bear Fort) open for 2025

With the mild weather in northern New Jersey our attention is now focused on cleaning up our flower and vegetable gardens.


Breaking large gardening tasks into smaller steps is the key to success!

rt23.com

Our first goal is to rake out our asparagus garden in anticipation of fresh asparagus spears. This garden is full of leaves and dead weeds and a good cleaning to remove debris with a metal rake as well as a plastic leaf rake will set the stage for the appearance of our asparagus!

Next, I am cleaning up my “early garden” where I will plant radishes, carrots and lettuce, cold weather plants and long season carrots.

March 18, 2025

Carrot Seeds
Carrot Seeds
radish seeds
radish seeds
lettuce seeds
spinach seeds

After tilling my early garden, I raked in some manure, gave it another quick till and started planting my cold weather crops. I planted a row each of carrots, radishes, lettuce and spinach.

early garden seeding
early garden seeding

Pest Control Starts Early

5 lb cayenne pepper bottle
Cayenne Pepper for pest control

Rabbits and groundhogs in the neighborhood are especially fond of the gardens in northern NJ. The lush crops, vibrant flowers, and juicy produce may look delicious to them, but they can wreak havoc on your garden. The best way to handle this problem is to start conditioning the behavior of the animals. Sprinkling cayenne pepper around the edges of your garden will repel them, but it will take time and effort. Continue this treatment throughout the season particularly after rain washs the pepper away.

Spring Lawn Care

raking thatch
raking thatch

With the ground clear of snow, I’m doing some early spring lawn maintenance.

It will be much better to have a thick, healthy lawn as soon as possible in case we have a dry spell or other poor growing conditions.

If you want to have a good-looking lawn, it requires some work.

My first task is to rake the brown thatch patches. This will remove them and allow healthy new grass to thrive.

Next, I’ll spread the pelletized lime. I could use pulverized lime, but it is too messy with white powder going everywhere, especially on a windy March day.

I’ll wait a day or two until rain is forecast, then I’ll add the lime so that it dissolves into the soil.

April 10, 2025 –

Marigold, Cherry Tomato and Early Girl Tomato indoor trays

Our garden is moving forward with healthy looking tomato plants and marigolds from seeds saved form last years flowers.

dill
Dill

The dill, cilantro, and basil are doing well under artificial lights in my basement. It looks like I will be able to harvest bits for cooking now. This is great because I love using fresh herbs in my recipes. The best part about growing my own herbs is that I can add them to my food knowing that they are fresh and pesticide free. I love the way cilantro and garlic go together in recipes.

cilantro
Cilantro
basil
Basil
Robins clearing a lawn of beetles, grubs and caterpillars!

Are Lawn Pesticides/Herbicide Dangerous?

Using chemicals in the garden can be hazardous to the environment. Many chemicals found in herbicides and pesticides can be dangerous or even fatal to humans depending on the type of product, exposure and method of application. These products are manufactured to kill living organisms aka weeds, insects, and they can negatively affect humans as well. As a matter of policy, I do not use any chemicals on my lawn. I only apply lime (Calcium carbonate) to adjust the pH of the soil, and grass seed for reseeding as needed.

I believe that avoiding lawn products attracts more birds eating lawn pests like grubs instead of using chemicals to poison them.

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Cutting the Cord in Northern New Jersey

Easy Steps to FreedomMy JourneyConclusion

Television. Hate it or love it, you probably can’t do without it. In the old days, all you needed was an antenna and you were able to tune in to five or ten local channels for free. It was a luxury at first to have a basic cable subscription for ten dollars a month. But as time went on, you wanted more paid subscription channels such as HBO and your bill probably doubled because of it. Today, a cable television subscription is easily more than $100. My cable bill was over $300 with “landline phone” (totally useless), premium package TV (watched maybe three channels) and internet access (fast but quirky). I was already using Netflix and most of my viewing was using that service.

Easy Steps to Freedom!


Now with the expansion of high-speed internet services, it is easier than ever to replace cable TV. There are more options than ever once you find an internet provider.

  • Find a high speed internet provider, in Northern New Jersey options include FIOS, Verizon, T-mobile or even a cable internet only package.
  • Set up your TVs to be compatible with internet streaming. Most modern “Smart Tvs’ may be ready to use as streaming devices. Options for older TVs include Roku, FireTV or Chromecast streaming devices.
  • Test your internet TV setup.
  • Cancel your cable TV subscription and return all unnecessary equipment to your cable TV provider.
  • Enjoy your new TV system while enjoying cost savings.

My Journey


I couldn’t justify paying $300 per month for cable TV service to watch a few news programs and one or two entertainment channels. The high-speed internet service that came with it was unreliable, especially in bad weather. I decided to replace my cable service with a less expensive alternative.

T-mobile Internet box
WIFI to ethernet adapter
Amazon Firestick converting older HD TV to a streaming TV

My home network was set up with a direct connection to my cable modem, which was located in the basement near the cable line that came into my home. From the cable modem, the signal went to a wifi router, and from there it was distributed throughout the house by CAT 5 ethernet cable. I used network hubs and switches to connect the cable to my computers. The wifi also powered the Ring doorbells and Alexa devices in my home.

I chose T-Mobile as my internet provider because it became available in my area and offered a reasonable price. T-Mobile provided a 5G modem/hub with both Wi-Fi and wired connections. I first put the modem in the basement because that is where my primary network hub is located. However, the signal was weak, so I moved the modem to an upstairs bedroom. But I couldn’t connect the wire directly to my old network because it was too far away. I solved this problem by purchasing a Wi-Fi to Ethernet adapter. This adapter saved me from having to reconfigure my existing devices.

I equipped all my TVs with Amazon Firesticks, with my Amazon Prime Membership I was provided with many streaming channels for free plus Prime Video content such as Movies and TV shows. I supplemented these offerings with Netflix, MAX and Paramount subscriptions. Total cost with the internet service, and subscriptions is around $100 per month, this is a savings of more than 50%!

Conclusion


At first I was very apprehensive about ditching the cable TV service. I was familiar with the channel selection and had my favorites. In addition to the large volume of channels that I already watched, there are so many more to explore. I can’t imagine going back to cable TV again. I’m able to watch movies, TV shows and live TV on many platforms and services. The streaming options are extensive and the quality is better than cable TV. Streaming is an inexpensive and reliable alternative to cable. It was easy to get started. There is an option to add channels if you miss some of your favorites. I’ve had minimal issues with streaming and can access my accounts from anywhere in the world. I’m very happy with the decision to cut the cord and have access to nearly endless entertainment options.

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Feeding Birds in North Jersey

Bird Feeder OptionsState of New Jersey SaysWhat to Expect

Black-capped Chickadee

I like to feed birds during the winter but I wait until the weather changes from warm “Indian Summer” days and nights to cool autumn weather. That’s because bird feeders can attract bears and other animals, and I don’t want to attract them to my property. When the weather turns cold, bears become less active, and it’s safer to start feeding the birds. I start with my window feeder, which is filled with premium bird seed that attracts a wide variety of birds. Next I will hang a feeder from a tree branch with seed I buy in bulk (40 lb. bag) and another with a suet cage. I enjoy watching the birds come and go, and I feel good knowing that I’m helping them to survive the winter.

Within minutes of setting out my feeder, a black-capped chickadee was feasting on the seeds and fruit. Chickadees are one of my favorite birds to watch. They are so curious and enjoy eating the seeds from the feeder. I am so happy to provide food for them and other birds in the neighborhood.

“Feeding birds in North Jersey is a fulfilling hobby, but it’s also a serious commitment. Birds attracted to your feeder become dependent on the food you provide”

rt23 staff
Black-capped chickadees at window feeder with tube bird feeder in background

I enjoy feeding the birds during the winter months because it is a welcome change from the clouds and chill of winter. I attach my bird feeder to my office window, and I love seeing the birds come and go. It is almost like having pets! I find the birds’ antics to be very entertaining, and I am amazed by the different sizes and colors of the birds that visit my feeder providing a delightful background to my workday.

I have two cats that love to watch the birds at the feeder. At first, my cats would try to pounce on the birds whenever they landed on the window feeder. The birds would take off in a flurry of feathers, and my cat would leap at the window feeder, trying to catch them but be repulsed by the glass, they would soon give up and retreat. After a while, the birds realized that my cat was no threat to them, and they would land on the feeder and eat their fill. My cat also realized that he could not catch the birds, and he would sit and watch them eat. The birds and the cats learned to ignore each other, and my cat now enjoys watching the birds at the feeder, I call this “cat tv”.

Feeding birds in North Jersey is a fulfilling hobby, but it’s a serious commitment. Birds that are attracted to your feeders become dependent on the food you provide during the winter. They may starve if the feeder is not regularly filled with fresh seed. You should also keep your feeders clean and free of mold, and be sure to clean up any spilled seed. It’s a good idea to place your feeders in an area where you can easily observe the birds, but not too close to your house or other structures where they could be a nuisance.

I start out using a window feeder. It’s a plastic dish that attaches to the window with soft rubber suction cups. The trick is to heat the rubber cups in hot water, dry them thoroughly, and rub them a bit with your thumb before attaching them to a clean glass window. A few days after the window feeder, I hang a tube feeder from a nearby tree branch. And finally, I hang the suet feeder from the tree branch when high daytime temperatures dip to about 30°F. These two feeders I keep filled until April. The window feeder needs refilling about two to three times a week,

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Bird Feeder Options

I have three types of feeders to attract a variety of birds: window mount, tube feeder, and suet cage. I enjoy feeding the birds during the winter months. It is a welcome change from the clouds and chill of winter days. I attach my bird feeder to my office window, and I love seeing the birds come and go. It is almost like having pets! I find the birds’ antics to be very entertaining, and I am amazed by the different sizes and colors of the birds that visit my feeder. The birds provide a delightful background to my workday. I especially enjoy watching the cardinals and blue jays. The cardinals are so beautiful with their bright red plumage, and the blue jays are so vocal and active. I find it very relaxing to watch the birds and listen to their songs.

Window Bird Feeder with Goldfinch and House Finch in flight.

When attached to a clean window, window feeders are strongly affixed to the surface, providing an up close and personal experience. I use a premium fruit and nut mix to attract more exotic birds. The feeder is easy to fill and clean, and the birds love it!

House Finch

I use a few different types of feeders for my birds (“my birds” haha). I hang a Kingsyard Metal Bird Tube Bird Feeder from a tree branch near my window. Tuber feeders are very common with a wide variety and quality. The Kingsyard Metal Bird Tube Bird Feeder  has metal caps and perches with a thick plastic tube. I have used this FOR a few years and am satisfied with the price/quality. For this feeder I buy a 40 pound bag of Royal Wing classic mix wild bird food from the local tractor supply. I look for a 40 pound bag with a good mix of oily seeds like sunflower seeds. A forty pound bag will last me four to five months.

“Multiple bird feeders can attract a variety of birds.”

Another type of feeder that I use is a suet cage. Some bird’s diets require more than just seed. Suet fills this need attracting insectivores including woodpeckers. Bears also love suet, so it is the last birdfeeder I set out. I wait until the nights are cold and the daytime temperatures are below 50° F. The suet feeder attracts insectivores such as woodpeckers and wrens. I fill this with suet once a week. I buy several suet cakes and store them in the freezer until I need them. They are easier to handle when frozen because they are made from animal fat and are very greasy when warm. I find that frozen suet cakes are easier to handle than warm ones because they are more solid and less likely to crumble.

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State of New Jersey Says:

Bird feeder damaged by black bear.

I found these tips on feeding birds from the NJDEP a bit overcautious. Although they are sensible, I don’t follow all of them. Living in the forest in northern Passaic County, we have many bears. Over the years, I have developed my own routines and procedures. I don’t wait until December 1st to start feeding the birds; I start after the first few frosts. In the spring, I wind down after my suet feeder disappears, which indicates bear activity. I don’t bring my feeders inside at night, but its true that is when they are raided. I also don’t use spill trays; there are a lot of shells, but the spilled seed is eaten by foraging morning doves and turkeys.

“Avoid feeding birds if you live in an area frequented by black bears. Birds will
survive without the supplemental seed that attracts bears.”

NJDEP
NJ Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Fish and Wildlife Guidelines


– Avoid feeding birds if you live in an area frequented by black bears. Birds will
survive without the supplemental seed that attracts bears.

– If you choose to feed birds, do so during daylight hours only, between
December 1 and April 1, when bears are least active.

– Use spill pans to prevent seeds from reaching the ground.

– Clean up spilled seeds and shells daily.

– Store birdfeed within a secure location where bears are unlikely to see or
smell it.

– Suspend feeder from a free-hanging wire, making
sure it is at least 10 feet off the ground and at least
10 feet away from the trunk of a tree.

– Do not suspend feeders off of the house or deck.

– Keep in mind that black bears are excellent climbers!

– Bring bird feeders indoors at night.

– Suspend feeder from a free-hanging wire, making sure it is at least 10 feet off the ground and at least 10 feet away from the trunk of a tree.

– Seed Catcher Resources
SeedHoop
Contact: Ann Pritt
Phone: (800) 793-1815
E-mail: seedhoop@gmail.com
Website: http://www.seedhoop.com/Bear_Damage.html
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection bird feeder guidelines

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What to Expect

After you install and fill your bird feeder with food, it may take a few days for birds to find it. Be patient; they will eventually show up. Birds are amazing creatures. They are able to find food sources that they will return to year after year. Once they find your bird feeder, they will undoubtedly attract more birds. The same birds seem to appear year after year, remembering the location of food.

“A birdfeeder in your yard or at your window can provide hours of entertainment and enjoyment.”

rt 23 staff

When you have bird feeders, you can expect a mess around them. This is because birds are messy eaters, and they tend to drop seeds and other food items on the ground. They also leave behind droppings, which are a natural part of the digestive process. It’s not the end of the world, but it is to be expected.

Birds are almost crepuscular in their reactions to the changing of light. They are most active at dawn and dusk, and are attracted to bird feeders at those times. In any case expect early visitors at your birdfeeder beginning at first light.

Birds are attracted to feeders and will quickly empty them, so feeders should be regularly refilled. Birds can almost act as weather forecasters, flocking to the feeders before bad weather. It is not uncommon to see birds at the feeders in the middle of a downpour. In the winter, birds are especially vulnerable to starvation, so it is important to keep the feeders full.

A birdfeeder in your yard or at your window can provide hours of entertainment and enjoyment. You can watch the birds flutter and squabble over the seeds. You can learn to identify the different species that visit your feeder. And you can enjoy the beauty of the birds as they flit about in the sunlight. At the very least, a birdfeeder can help to brighten up the cold and dark winter days.

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2024 Garden: Scorecard

October 9, 2024

Tomato alley in August 202

We started our garden in February with high hopes. We planted winter-sown sunflowers outdoors and started indoor germination trays. By the end of the season, we were rewarded with an abundance of tomatoes, garden beans, summer squash, cucamelons, and cucumbers. We enjoyed fresh produce all summer, mostly eaten fresh. We were also able to freeze some summer squash and can tomatoes and pickle cucumbers. We canned the tomatoes and pickled the cucumbers.

But it was not all good news and we had a few disappointments. Our radish and carrot crop never materialized. We did not harvest the eggplant we expected, only one small fruit which we made into a tiny eggplant parmesan ( which was delicious nonetheless!). We did not harvest any pumpkins, although we had a few small examples but they were eaten by animals or rotted on the ground.

Our last harvest for 2024. watermelon and green tomato.

Aside from a few setbacks, we are pleased with our bounty of crops. We planted more summer squash in a new garden plot alongside our driveway. We picked squash as soon as it was matured to encourage more growth. At first we did not know what to do with so much sqaush until we found delicious recipes for sauteed squash and squash casserole which we froze. We also froze the fresh squash for a delicious winter soup. you can find these recipes and more at our rt23 NJ Garden Recipes page.

Summer squash, beefsteak tomatoes, cherry tomatoes and cucumbers; 2024 harvest.

2024 Flower Gardens

Mexican Sunflowers

On a brighter note, our flower gardens were colorful and successful.

Marigolds

Morning Glory

French Marigolds
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2024 Garden Wrap-up

Septembr 3: ScorecardSeptember 5: Never Say DieSeptember 30: Clean up!

September 3, 2024: Scorecard

Its been a good season for the garden this year but not without a few disappointments. On the positive side we harvested many tomatoes, cucamelons, cucumbers and summer squash. The summer squash we were able to eat fresh while the abundance of cucumbers were either “fresh” pickled or hot water canned. The tomatoes were eaten fresh and we were able to can a few jars.

On the other hand, we did not harvest any radishes, carrots or eggplant. Root crops are difficult to grow in North Jersey rocky, clay soil.

Pumpkin on the vine
This is a picture of a pumpkin that was destroyed by an animal. The pumpkin was growing well, but the animal ate it.

In early spring, we started pumpkin plants in the house, which was a good start. We transplanted them outdoors in May, and they grew well, producing numerous flowers. However, the plants produced little fruit. It appears that animals consumed one immature pumpkin, and another pumpkin rotted on the ground. We have one pumpkin remaining, and it appears healthy, so we may be able to harvest it in the fall.

September 5, 2024: Never Say Die

Autumnal radish patch

Every year I try to harvest radishes in the fall season, but without success. This year, I did some research and found that radishes prefer colder temperatures around 60 degrees F. I had tried planting in August, but the warm temperatures caused the radishes to bolt and not produce delicious bulbs. This year, I planted when the overnight temperatures reached 50 degrees F. I also added some lime pellets because radishes thrive in basic soil conditions.

I am planting Ferry and Morse Early Scarlet Globe Radish seeds again this year. I have a small patch that I cleared with a garden fork, loosening the soil. I planted the entire seed pack in two rows and watered. Now we wait for an autumn harvest in October. The seed pack says it takes 25 days from sprouting to harvest.

September 30, 2024 UPDATE: All of the radishes sprouted but unfortunately they were eaten by chipmunks and such. i should have used cayenne pepper to deter the pests, Live and learn!

September 30, 2024: Clean-up

The tomato harvest is over, and the cold weather is taking its toll on the tomato plants. The leaves are turning brown and wilting, and the stems are becoming brittle.

October 17, 2024

It’s time to bundle the tomato cages for storage until next year. I’ll leave the landscaping cloth in place to prevent weeds from growing until I till the garden in the spring.

stacked tomato cages ready for next year
A late blooming tomato flower

I noticed a few flowers on the tomato plants. Just a tease before the winter, I doubt that after a few cold nights that there are many active pollinators

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rt23 NJ Garden Recipes

sauteed squashhow to freeze summer squashCucumbers Tomatoes!

This year, we grew a large number of summer squash plants and have been harvesting an abundance of summer squash. I had never cooked squash before, but I had enjoyed it as a side dish at many restaurants. I decided to try cooking it myself. I started with a simple recipe that called for a few basic ingredients: rosemary, garlic, salt, and pepper. I was surprised at how easy it was to cook and how delicious it tasted. I am really enjoying eating the squash we grew this year, and I am glad that I tried cooking it myself.

Sauteed Summer Squash Recipe

This recipe is also suitable for preparing zucchini alone or mixed with summer squash. If you add chopped chicken and top it with grated Parmesan cheese, it can serve as a complete meal.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp. Olive Oil
  • Summer Squash cut into 1/4 to 1/2 inch slices
  • 1 tsp. Rosemary
  • 1 garlic clove (crushed)
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper
  • fresh cherry tomatoes sliced in half (optional)

Heat skillet with olive oil and add crushed garlic to flavor the oil. Add squash in a single layer and cook for approximately 3 minutes or until al dente. Add rosemary, sea salt, pepper and cherry tomatoes. Cook an additional 3 minutes and serve. Done!

For the original recipe from McCormick, use this link: https://www.mccormick.com/recipes/salads-sides/summer-squash-saute

Freezing Summer Squash

Freezing
Blanching
Summer squash, like most vegetables, must be blanched before they can be frozen. Blanching stops enzyme actions that can cause loss of flavor, color and texture. Blanching works best if you heat 1 gallon of water to boiling in a large pot fitted with a wire basket or colander. Wash and cut summer squash into 1/2-inch slices, or grate flesh for baking use. Add no more than 1 pound of squash (4-6 cups) to the boiling water. If the water does not return to a boil within 30 seconds to 1 minute, then you added too much. Once the water returns to a boil, blanch squash for 3 minutes (4 minutes at elevations greater than 3,500 feet). After 3 minutes, remove the squash, using the basket or colander, and plunge pieces into cold water or ice water. The quicker the slices or grated squash cool, the more crispness they will retain.

Freezing
Fill pint- or quart-size freezer bags close to full. Squeeze out the excess air. Or, tightly pack rigid freezer containers leaving a ½ – 1 inch headspace. For all containers: seal, label and freeze. To freeze squash slices so that they do not stick together, place them in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze solid. Once the slices are solid, place them into freezer bags or rigid freezer containers.

For more about preserving squash use this link https://extension.usu.edu/preserve-the-harvest/research/summer-squash

Posted in Garden 2024, Home Gardening, Living in northern New Jersey | Leave a comment

2024 Garden – Phase 4: Harvest!

June 27,2024: Garden BeansJuly 8, 2024: Cucamelons and Summer SquashJuly 10: Pickling CucumbersJuly 16: Straight 8 CucumbersJuly 19-20 Pickles! July 22: Cherry Tomatoes! June 27, Kosher Dill Pickle Spears August 1 Marigold SeedsAugust 22: Garden update

June 27, 2024 – Bean Harvest!

TOP

As July approaches, the weather turns warm and the days grow longer. In our neck of the woods, that means it’s time to harvest the fruits of our labor in the garden. This year, we planted beans in the spring and have been tending them lovingly ever since. The plants have done well, and the beans are starting to ripen. We can hardly wait to pick them and enjoy them fresh from the garden.

Garden Beans ready to pick!

Garden Beans need to be harvested before seeds form for tenderness

rt23 staff

Our Garden Bean patch is now filled with young, tender, green garden beans, replacing the flowers that were there previously. The beans are ready to be harvested, and we picked a small basket from just one row. We have four more rows yet to pick, and we plan to grill the beans on the barbecue with salt, pepper, olive oil, and a bit of butter wrapped in foil as a side dish for dinner tonight. The beans are delicious, and we are looking forward to eating them. These garden beans frow fast and should be picked before the seeds form and they loose their tenderness.

Garden beans are delicious, but must be picked early when tender and flavorful. If you wait too long, the beans form seeds and become tough and lose flavor.

rt23 staff
More green (garden) beans.

We picked our green beans, and we have a ton of them. We can’t eat them all right away, so we are washing, blanching, and freezing them so we can use them in soups and stews this winter. We are also going to be giving some of them away to friends and family.

July 8, 2024 Cucamelons!

TOP

cucamelon are grape sized snacks from the garden.

Cucamelons, Mexican Sour Gherkins, are tasty little treats that can be picked and eaten right out of the garden. Cucamelons have a cucumber crunch with a mild citrusy flavor.

Summer Squash!

Summer Squash on the vine ready to pick

Summer Squash should be picked when the fruit is 6 to ten inches in length. Cut stem with scissors or pruning shears leaving some stem on the fruit. Picking early and often will encourage the plant to produce more fruit

fresh picked summer squash

July 10, 2024 – National Pickling Cucumbers

cucumber ready to pick!
cucumber seed packet

The cucumber plants have been fun to watch over the past few weeks. They have been generating a large number of flowers, and now the cukes are starting to show. Now begins the search for the mature, green cukes among the large green leaves. This is a very rewarding time in the garden.

pickling cucumber

This year, I cultivated two different varieties of cucumbers. The first variety was a pickling cucumber. These cucumbers are perfectly suited for preserving. The second variety was a slicing cucumber, which is ideal for eating fresh. I am looking forward to pickling my cucumbers and enjoying them this winter.

July 16: Straight 8 Cucumbers

Straight Eight Cucumber

Today we harvested our first Straight Eight Cucumber. We picked it a little early, when the seeds were small and tender for a refreshing summer snack. We sliced it and enjoyed it fresh, just as it was. It was delicious!

July 19-20 Pickles!

fresh picked cucumbers from the garden
select herbs and garlic for my pickle recipe!

Every day I am harvesting more cucumbers than the day before, and it looks like this will be a good year for them. Cucumbers are delicious fresh from the garden, and they are also great for making pickles and relishes. Last year I experimented with pickling and preserving the surplus, and I am glad I did. I have enjoyed the pickles I made all winter long.

home-grown dill sprigs from the freezer

Before I make shelf-stable pickles, I make fresh half-sour pickles. I planted dill in my garden this year, and it produced an early harvest. Since I couldn’t use it all fresh, I froze some of it. Now I have a plan to use my frozen dill to make my fresh-pack pickles.

Fresh Half-Sour Pickles

These half sour pickles are a summer treat at barbeques, but not shelf stable and must be refrigerated after opening.

Ingredients:
You will need a 1/2 gallon wide-mouth ball jar and a fermentation lid

4 cups water
3-4 cucumbers sliced into spears
3-1/2 tbsp. coarse sea salt
4-5 cloves chopped garlic
2 tsp. peppercorns
2 tsp. mustard seed
2 tsp. dill seed
1/2 tsp. Calcium Chloride (food grade) aka pickle crisp
bunch fresh dill

pickles fermenting on tabletop
  • Try to select cucumbers before the seeds mature.
  • As always carefully wash cucumbers removing “burrs”. slice into spears.
  • wash and clean 1/2 gallon mason jar.
  • Add chopped garlic (4+ cloves) peppercorns (2 tsp) fresh dill, mustard seed (2 tsp), dill seed ( 1 tsp.) to the jar.
  • Add to jar 4 cup water and 3-1/2 tbsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. calcium chloride. Mix that the salt dissolves.
  • Add cucumber spears to jar.
  • ferment using fermentation lid with airlock spout at room temperature for 3-4 days.
  • Refrigerate for seven to ten days.
  • enjoy deli style half sour pickles for up to two months.



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July 22, 2024: Cherry Tomatoes!

Our first cherry tomato harvest!

We germinated our cherry tomato plants indoors in March. After a month, we transplanted most of the plants into pots, and the remainder were planted in the garden. We have just had our first harvest, and we ate them immediately! We are looking forward to eating more of our homegrown tomatoes this summer.

all thats needed is salt, pepper and oregano for a sweet, delicious snack

Cherry tomatoes are a delicious snack. To prepare them, we first slice them in half and arrange them on a plate with the cut side facing up. Next, we sprinkle them with salt, pepper, and oregano. The result is a delicious dish! We also like to drizzle the tomatoes with olive oil and sprinkle them with grated Parmesan cheese. We ate these cherry tomatoes as fast as we could pick them. They were delicious! We are sure to have many more cherry tomatoes this summer. We planted a large number of tomato plants this year, and we think they will produce a bountiful harvest.

June 27, 2024 Shelf Stable Kosher Dill Pickle Spears

Readying ingredients for kosher dill pickles: salt, calcium chloride (pickle crisp), bay leaves, mustard seeds, dill, garlic, vinegar (5%), sugar
sterilizing pint ball jars in boiling water bath
cucumbers sliced into spears for canning/pickling!

August 1, 2024 Marigold Seeds

dried marigold flowers

I am now harvesting the dried marigold flowers from my garden. I am saving the seeds for next year’s planting. I will store them in a paper bag in the refrigerator with my remaining seeds from spring planting.

August 22, 2024 : Garden update

Tomatoes nearly ripe for picking

Yes, my garden is a big mess, but it is producing summer squash, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, and delicious cucumbers. Critters have also been an ongoing concern

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2024 Garden – Phase 3: Growth and Maintenance

Garden pest UpdateFeeding and WateringJune 12June 20June 24July 4July 7July 23

My radio-flyer wagon with kneeler and gardening tools and gloves. I use an old plastic bucket for garden debris and weeds.

With the majority of my planting complete, it is time to proceed to the next phase of my outdoor garden project. This phase is growth and maintenance, which includes feeding the plants, watering, and weeding. Weeding is a chore that is best performed frequently to avoid becoming overwhelming. It is also important to keep the garden clean and free of debris. In addition to the weeding, I will need to monitor the health of the plants and address any issues that arise. This includes removing dead or diseased plants, addressing pests and diseases, and providing adequate drainage.

Garden Pest Update

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Captain Jacks Deadbug

I noticed some leaf damage on my eggplants and treated with Captain Jacks Dead Bug. I grew broccoli and cauliflower last year and had problems with cabbage moths, dead bug worked well. This year I am using it on my eggplants for mites. BONIDE Captain Jack’s Deadbug Brew is approved for organic gardening to control a wide range of listed insect pests on listed vegetables, citrus, fruits flowers, and ornamentals. I have been using Deadbug for a few years, and I have found it to be very effective on broccoli and cauliflower. After just a few treatments, my broccoli and cauliflower plants were thriving, and I haven’t had to treat them since. This year, I’m using Deadbug to treat spider mites on my eggplants, and I’m happy to report that the good results. After just a few treatments, the eggplants in my garden have less perforated leaves, and they are growing well. Deadbug has been approved as an organic gardening treatment. The active ingredient in Deadbug is Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), which is a naturally occurring bacteria that produces a protein (Cry toxin) that is deadly to certain insects.

Cayenne pepper is an effective deterrent for garden pests such as rabbits and groundhogs. I sprinkle the pepper around the perimeter of my gardens, and I purchase it in bulk. The pepper is an irritant to the pests, and they will avoid areas where it is sprinkled. I have found that this method is very effective in keeping the pests away from my plants.

Cayenne pepper is an effective deterrent for rabbits, groundhogs, etc. but must be applied daily

rt23 staff
Cayenne Pepper and dredge shaker

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Feeding and Watering

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Organic fertilizers include blood meal and bone meal

I have been engaged in gardening for many years, and I have always been committed to finding the best way to promote growth and maintain the health of my plants. I have experimented with various methods, but I have recently switched to using a mixture of blood meal and bone meal, and the results have been impressive. Now, I sprinkle a 50/50 mixture of both meals into the soil at the base of the plant stems. This method has proven to be highly effective for several reasons. First, blood meal is a good source of nitrogen, which is an essential nutrient for plants. Second, bone meal is a good source of calcium and phosphorus, which also help plants thrive. Third, this method is all-natural and does not contain any harmful chemicals. This simple yet powerful solution has contributed to the health and growth of my plants in a remarkable way.

Sometimes “you are the rain”, make a habit of watering your garden regularly

rt23 staff

It is important to know how to interpret the signs that plants give to their caretakers. Watering is a key element to maintaining healthy plants, but it can be difficult to determine the amount and frequency of water your plants require. To avoid over- or under-watering, I maintain a consistent schedule but also vigilantly monitor my plants for indicators of thirst, such as dry soil or wilted leaves. Through careful observation, I have learned to recognize these cues and adjust my watering accordingly. It is a delicate balancing act, but one that is essential for thriving plants.

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June 12, 2024

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Garden Beans with flowers

I am trying to use up the remaining seeds I have, so I am planting sunflowers, cucumbers, and zucchini. I also have a few tomato plants left over, and I am trying to find a place to put them. It is a lot of work, but I am eager to see how everything grows. I am also looking forward to the time when I can enjoy the homegrown produce at the end of the season. Gardening is such a rewarding pastime. I am glad I am able to continue gardening this season.

Garden bean flowers (right)

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June 20, 2024

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Tomato plants are growing fast and full.

Our garden has been doing great in this heat wave. I think it has something to do with the fact that we’ve been working so hard to keep it watered. The tomatoes, eggplants, Mexican sunflowers, and Cucamelons are loving it. The heat and daily watering have worked like a charm and our recent blood and bone meal treatment really helped too.

Although the hot, sunny weather promotes plant growth, regular watering is required

rt23 staff

The cherry tomatoes have begun producing fruit, and the garden beans are in full bloom! We are checking on our garden beans every day so we can pick them at peak flavor before the seeds form. I’ve been gardening for many years and I’ve learned to keep a close eye on all of my plants so I can harvest them at just the right time. It’s all part of the fun, and I’m so glad I’m able to keep gardening this season.

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June 24, 2024

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We’ve been hard at work keeping our garden well watered and healthy, especially in this heatwave, and it’s really paid off. Our vegetable plants are thriving, and we’re seeing flowers on our tomatoes, cucumbers, and more. Even our garden beans are covered in white flowers. Now that our plants have made it through the hottest part of the summer, we’re excited to keep growing and tending to them and can’t wait to see our summer harvest.

Tomato Flowers (Better Boy/Beefsteak)

Our Better Boy/Beefsteak tomato crop is doing so well that we’re already getting some early flowering on the plants. We’re really hoping that this means an early harvest, which would be amazing. We’ve been working so hard to make sure that our garden is healthy and productive, and so far, it seems to be paying off. We planted the seeds in March and moved the seedlings outside in late April when there was less risk of frost. We have made sure to keep the plants watered and fertilized, and we’ve even sung and played music to them. It’s not easy growing tomatoes in North Jersey, but we’ve been having fun and are looking forward to the results. Fingers crossed!!

Our cherry tomatoes are already bearing fruit! They’re so sweet and delicious, you can pick them right off the vine and eat them fresh or prepare them with a little salt, pepper, and oregano for a summer treat! I’ve been gardening for many years and I’ve learned to keep a close eye on all of my plants so I can harvest them at just the right time. It’s all part of the fun!

Cherry Tomato
Cucumber flower

Look at these beautiful cucumber flowers in my garden! I planted the seeds on May 9 and they grew quickly. If you’re a gardener in northern New Jersey, it’s still not too late to plant cucumber seeds and get a harvest! The flowers are yellow and have a pretty bell shape. The flowers have a long stem and bloom one at a time. I love growing cucumbers, especially as i started making pickles last year.

Our pumpkins have been flowering but I don’t think the plant is developed enough to support the fruit

Pumpkin Flower
Summer Squash flower

If you’re a gardener in northern New Jersey, you’re in luck! It’s not too late to plant summer squash. I planted mine on May 13, and they’re already flowering. The plants grew really fast, so I think it’s still possible to get a harvest this season. If you’re a squash fan, I recommend getting your seeds in the ground today. In addition to being a delicious vegetable, squash is also very good for you. If you are not already a squash fan, it is time to try it!

July 4, 2024

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Cucamelon flower

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Cucamelon almost ready to pick!

Our cucamelon vines have grown so much this year that they’ve enveloped the entire garden fence! The vines are covered with lots of flowers, so we’re expecting a bumper crop of cucamelons this year! But the best part is that the cucamelon plants are producing lots of flowers!

Our Summer Squash plants are beginning to bear fruit!

Our Summer Squash plants are getting huge! They have lots of flowers and even some fruit. We are looking forward to harvesting them soon. We are still in the early stages of growth, but the plants are doing well and we are excited to see what the future holds.

Our cherry tomatoes are also bearing fruit and we are waiting for them to change from green to red.

cherry tomatoes

July 7, 2024

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Watermelon flower

Every day, new flowers are appearing in our garden. The most recent flowering vegetables are watermelon and eggplant. Our cucumbers and tomatoes are also producing flowers and some fruits.

eggplant flower

However, we are also encountering new pests, such as grasshoppers, which are consuming our leaves. These pests are a nuisance, but they are also a sign that our garden is thriving and producing food.

We have been using Captain Jack’s Deadbug weekly to control mites and caterpillars on our eggplants. It has been very effective, and we have not seen any damage from these pests. However, now that the plants are flowering, we have stopped using it to protect the pollinators.

Grasshopper eating eggplant leaves

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July 23, 2024 – Garden Update

Beefsteak tomatoes in the rain
Tomato alley full of beefsteak tomatoes and weeds!

My garden is a riot of color and growth. The weeds are growing abundantly, but the cherry tomatoes and beefsteak tomatoes are thriving, and the eggplants are flowering. I love the look of my garden, even though it looks like a joyful mess.
I prepared my garden by laying down ground cloth and securing it with garden staples. The ground cloth serves two purposes. First, it acts as a barrier to prevent weeds from growing. Second, it helps to retain moisture in the soil. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans for the garden this year. weeds grew as well as my vegetables. Despite this setback, my granddaughters inform me that there are 110 tomatoes growing!!

leaf beetles eating eggplant leaves

Eggplants seem to attract a variety of insect pests. First there were caterpillars and spider mites which I treated with Captain Jacks Deadbug, a naturally occurring bacteria called Spinosad. Spinosad is a leading pesticide used worldwide in the production of organic produce.

Leaf Beetle, ugh.

I am now encountering leaf beetles on my eggplants. As soon as I discovered them, I began by culling the beetles and then disposing of them. However, if the problem becomes more severe, I may employ the use of Captain Jack’s Deadbug, which is approved for organic gardening.

replanting a new basil and cilantro herb crop
herbs and flowers in our stackable plant containers!

The stackable plant containers I purchased last spring were a great success! We were able to harvest a bountiful crop of dill, which we enjoyed fresh and froze for future meals. We also harvested cilantro and basil, and today we planted a new crop of these herbs. In addition to the herbs we grew marigolds and snapdragon for color. The best part is that the containers are so easy to move around that I can put them in the best spot for each plant.

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2024 Garden – Phase 2: Outdoor

April 22 tillingPest and Animal ControlApril 24 Lawn PrepApril 26 Garden Beans!April 28 AcclimatingMay 8 TransplantingMay 9 CucumbersMay 13 Marigolds and SquashMay 17 Pumpkin PatchMay 21 Busy-timeMay 29Phase 3: Growing Season/Maintenance

April 22, 2024 Tilling!

The last frost date for northern New Jersey is April 25. I am getting ready to transplant my tomato plants into the garden beds. I started the plants indoors in March, and they are ready to go out. I am also getting ready to plant other warm-season crops such as peppers, eggplant, and squash.

before

Using a small electric rototiller, I made quick work of my tomato bed! These small electric tillers are essential for creating a garden. They are lightweight and straightforward to use. Hardware stores and rental facilities offer them for rent, but you can also buy them. In the past, I rented gas-powered tillers, which were quite heavy and required gas and oil, but they got the job done. I am using my electric tiller to cultivate my garden this spring.

after

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Pest and Animal Control

cayenne pepper and dredge shaker

I’m getting ready to plant my garden, and I’m thinking about pest and animal control. Never too early to sensitize and condition garden pests to avoid your garden. I sprinkle cayenne pepper powder around my garden fencing. I buy bulk cayenne pepper packages and use dredge shaker to scatter the pepper around perimeter of my gardens. I’m hoping that once a groundhog or rabbit gets a snootful of this, they won’t return.

carrots!

I planted an additional row of carrots. The sunflowers I planted in February are thriving and should be ready for transplanting in the next few weeks.

winter-sown sunflowers

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April 24, 2024

raking never ends!

I am still in the process of removing lawn debris from my yard. I have a lot of work to do, and I am taking my time to do it right. I need to clean up the yard before I can apply lime and seed it. I am going to start by removing the dead grass and weeds, then I will spread lime to neutralize the soil. Finally, I will seed the yard with new grass. This process will take several days, and I am looking forward to having a lush, green lawn again.

To adjust pH, I add lime. I prefer pelletized lime over pulverized lime because it’s less messy. I use a Scotts Mini Broadcast Spreader set at 6 to apply the lime. I try to apply it before it rains to help it absorb into the soil.

using broadcast
spreader to apply pelletized lime.

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April 26, 2024

Burpee Blue lake Bush Beans,
1/2 lb.

I planted bush beans today. I purchased a bulk pack of Blue Lake Bush Beans last year. I think I will have enough for next year as well. Bush bean seeds are robust, and the plants are straightforward to grow. They produce a good yield over a week or two. I like to pick the beans when they are young and tender. I also like to eat them fresh. They are delicious!

prepared bean field

I prepared the plot by removing any large stones and debris. Then I covered it with a tarp to prevent weeds from growing. After a few weeks, I removed the tarp and made rows in the soil with a hoe. I sowed the seeds in the rows, covered them with soil, and watered the plot generously.

after planting beans

April 28, 2024

before tilling

Today I tilled the garden where I will soon plant cucumbers. I used a ssmall electric rototiller, which made the task a lot easier. I had never used a rototiller before, and I was surprised at how easy it was to use. I was able to till the entire garden in a matter of minutes. I am looking forward to planting my cucumbers and watching them grow.

after tilling
indoor sown tomatoes

The warm weather has finally arrived in northern New Jersey, and I am preparing to move my indoor-sown tomatoes and marigolds outdoors. The predicted overnight temperatures are in the 50° F range, which I believe is safe for acclimating them to outdoor conditions. I will also move the marigolds outdoors. I am looking forward to seeing my plants thrive in their new outdoor environment.

Indoor sown marigolds

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May 8, 2023

As the weather warms and the days get longer, the garden is coming to life. Azaleas are blooming, garden beans are sprouting, and our winter-sown sunflowers and indoor-grown vegetables are ready to be transplanted. This is a very busy time in the garden as we prepare for the upcoming growing season.

Today is a big day in the garden. I am finally transplanting my tomato plants to the outdoor garden. I started the plants indoors in March, and they have been growing steadily ever since. But now they are ready to be moved outdoors. I am using landscaping cloth to protect the plants from pests and diseases. I am also installing tomato cages at this time so that the tomato plants will grow into them. I am so excited!

Keep an eye on the soil moisture and water your garden when it needs it, not just when it rains!

rt23 staff
radishes will be ready to pick soon!
Garden bean seeds have sprouted!
winter-sown sunflowers have been transplanted!

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May 9, 2024

Today I am planting cucumber seeds in the outdoor garden. I first lay out a ground cloth. The ground cloth keeps the soil moist and prevents weeds from growing. Next, I cut holes in the cloth and plant the cucumber seeds. Cucumbers grow quickly, so I plant the seeds directly in the outdoor garden.

I found another asparagus spear.

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May 13 Marigolds and Squash

Marigold tray started indoors on March 13 ready for transplanting
Marigold seeds

Today I transplanted my indoor-sown marigolds to a rock wall border in my garden. I supplemented the plants with leftover seeds. I like to sow marigolds indoors because they get a head start on the season. Also, I purchase large packages of marigolds because I use them in many locations. Marigolds are straightforward to grow, and the seeds can be collected at the end of the season.

creating a border with marigolds
Summer Squash and Cucumbers atop a rock wall

Last year, I planted summer squash for the first time. I was a bit late getting it in the ground, but it grew quickly and produced delicious squash. This year, I planted seeds earlier, adjacent to my driveway, I am looking forward to harvesting it.

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May 17, 2024 Pumpkin Patch

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Pumpkin patch treated with cayenne pepper to deter critters
indoor-sown pumpkin plants in tray ready to plant

Today I transplanted my indoor-sown pumpkins to my new outdoor pumpkin patch. To begin, I tilled the soil, then raked out the rocks and debris, and finally leveled the surface. This was a lot of work, but it was necessary to provide the best growing conditions for my pumpkins. Next, I laid down ground cloth and secured it with landscape staples. This will help to prevent weeds from growing and will also help to retain soil moisture.

tilled and raked, ready for landscape cloth and staples
holes cut and pumpkins in the ground

I use my hand as a template to cut holes in the landscape cloth. I then placed one pumpkin plant in each hole. I sprinkled the area with cayenne pepper to discourage animals from entering. I am using pavlovian training to condition animals to avoid ground cloth. The cayenne pepper acts as a natural repellent, and is the primary deterrent to train the animals to stay off of all ground cloth.

sprinkled with cayenne pepper to deter animals.

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May 21, 2024

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Eggplants transplanted into outdoor garden

These last few days have been a whirlwind of activity in the garden. We have transplanted tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, Mexican sunflowers, pumpkins, marigolds, eggplants, and cucamelons from our indoor nursery. We have also planted radishes, carrots, summer squash, green beans, and cucumbers all from seed. In addition, we have planted our winter-sown sunflowers. Whew!

Cucamelons transplanted near garden fence as a trellis

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Last week, I finished moving all of my plants outdoors. The basement nursery is now empty, and the grow lights have been turned off. All of the plants that I had started indoors have been transplanted to the outdoor gardens. The last plants to be moved were warm-weather plants such as Eggplants and Mexican Sunflowers. I also transplanted watermelons that had been sown indoors; however, they have yet to develop secondary leaves beyond the cotyledons. I am hoping that they will survive the transition to outdoor conditions.

Rabbit warily approaching pumpkin patch near cayenne pepper border

I have observed rabbits in my garden, and I am concerned that they may start eating my plants. I have been sprinkling cayenne pepper around the perimeter of my garden in an attempt to keep them away. I am hopeful that this will be an effective deterrent, but I am also open to other suggestions. If you have any advice on how to keep rabbits away from my garden, please let me know.

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May 29

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Garden strawberry
before weeding my strawberry patch

I weeded my strawberry patch today and uncovered quite a few strawberries that are almost ready to pick. Unfortunately, a garden pest got to my strawberries first. I have a fence around the patch and a screen on top, but I neglected to put down a barrier of cayenne pepper. Lesson learned!

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>>>Phase 3: Growing Season/Maintenance

With the majority of my planting complete, it is time to proceed to the next phase of my outdoor garden project. This phase is growth and maintenance, which includes feeding the plants, watering, and weeding.

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