The bees have found the bee feeder. (This bee feeder has 1 C sugar to 2C water). We moved this bee feeder away from the back porch and that has definitely helped on “bee traffic”. The Tea Tree Oil remedy on the Hummingbird feeders is definitely dose and time related. After a few hours, the smell is gone and the bees return to the hummingbird feeders. However, the hummingbirds seem to be much more active at the feeders when they are not constantly fighting the bees.
Below: We are growing both honeydew and cantaloupe at the farm. We are using three different methods: on the ground, on a fence, and on a string trellis. The honeydew melons are Sweet Reward Honeydew Improve Hybrid (from Gurney Seed Catalog). These melons require 90 days to mature and will be yellow upon ripening.
The Cantaloupe are Anna’s Charentais Hybrid. These cantaloupe are very sweet and grow to 2-3 pounds. This variety is also disease resistant. The seeds for the cantaloupe are also from Gurney Seed Catalog.
Look at the slide show below. The cantaloupe are stripped and the honeydew are solid green. The melon that is split may have gotten too much water. The metal bags are to deter rodents from taking bites out of the fruit. You can see the melons on the ground (pictures 1-5) , the garden on the trellis (pictures 6-10), and the garden on the fence (Pictures 11-16). The melon vines are supposed to be capable of supporting the hanging melons. So far, gravity has not claimed any of these hanging melons. The hoses and watering system are off of a well.
BELOW: The Jerusalem artichokes are a species of sunflowers. Like the Mexican sunflower, these plants have multiple small blooms instead of one or two large flowers. This group of Jerusalem artichokes are finally growing and blooming after a summer of barely existing. These plants will turn brown and go dormant in the cold weather . When the plants turn brown, it is time to dig the tubers. We always leave a few of the tubers in the ground for the following year’s crop. Thu tubers we harvest are boiled (or roasted) until soft and served with butter. Remember, although these tubers are delicious, they can cause gastrointestinal problems if consumed in large quantities. As in most delicious foods, “moderation” is the key!
Below: The grandchildren are learning early by volunteering their time caring for the family plot in the cemetery. These pictures were taken as they finished. We appreciate your efforts Everett, Camille, and Ella Clare! Thanks to all the little cousins who also help in this project.
