What a difference a day makes

Squash Day 2

Squash Day 1

Yesterday I put up some garden photos showing the growth in the raised boxes so far. Under the picture of the one showing the box with all squash plants I mentioned while they had blossoms on them, the plants in general have always looked a little sickly. In the picture the ground looks very dry, but sticking a finger in the earth would show that there was moisture less than a fingernail deep.

However a friend, commented that they looked very dry and suggested a little more water. I have been watering the same way I always have, really soaking the ground in the evening once the sun is off the plants, but that's all. This is a different year. Two weeks now of temperatures in the 70s and 80s with bright sunlight probably make a difference.

So, on my friend's advice, I did a little extra watering. I went out there in mid afternoon and watered, keeping the flow aimed low so as not to create lenses on the leaves and gave it a good soak. Later after the sun moved off, I went out and watered again. Then, early today I gave it another watering and then another in late afternoon.

What a difference in just 24 hours.  From now on I do not intend to let the ground go dry again. This also helped some sickly looking onions and green bean plants, which now have good color and more blossoms.

My gardens have always been experimental with a little guidance from knowledgeable friends, many of whom over the years have said the biggest mistake many people make is overwatering. As far as the experimental blundering, as my old friend Gary used to say, "What's the fun of doing something if you know how?" Well, part of my not knowing how was finding the happy medium between underwatering and overwatering. I've probably gone too far in the "over" category, but seeing such improvement in one day tells me I am going in the right direction.

Onions, these look better today too.

Lettuce and spinach

The spruce cones are from something I learned on the internet one day. Someone was suggesting recycling materials to use in the garden and suggested pine cones for mulch. They seem to work.

Squash blossom.

Potatoes.

So, thank you Sharon. And, too, thank you Jerrianne; I will thin the lettuce as soon as I can think of a good place to take the produce.