Tilling the space between the asparagus rows. The area along the trellis will be used for some cucumbers and climbing fruit in the spring; the area down the center for tomatoes. Companion planting suggest tomatoes protect asparagus from the asparagus beetle. Also some basil will be planted to compliment the tomatoes. The straw is in place (some with newspaper placed under neath it) to kill the grass so the area will be ready to plant in the spring. One last thing - michorizzal fungii was distributed over the soil at about 1 tsp / ft.
Above - Can you see it?? A pecan!! Still a couple of years before these trees produce anything substantial, but we have to take each success as it comes and be grateful! On the right, are the first 3 nuts off the trees. The shells are about 1 1/2" long.
Above - Asparagus! The left is a new shoot July 29th and the right are as of Oct 31st. Once the shoot goes to seed it becomes a very ferny plant that people often mistake as dill (until they smell it). This first year it has to all go to seed to grow the root system. Next year we can harvest about 1/3 of it. The year after more and then finally all of it. It grows QUICKLY and must be picked every morning early for a few weeks - March timeframe I think here. Members will have the opportunity of picking it early on the weekends. We planted 400 crowns in January.
Above is a showy pink hyancinth vine. These beautiful showy flawers are great fall color, and the glossy showy leaves are stunning in a garden. I have collected seed pods if anyone is interested in planting some. The single vine here was planted in Jiune of this year.
Fall is the PERFECT time to put in drip irrigation. The pieces are often on sale at the stores and you can pick up lots at hight discounts. If you are a member and want to spend an hour or two out here with us we can show you how our drip irrigation works, all the parts and pieces and let you play with some - included in the price of your membership! You'll be able to put something together at your house in no time! Just call to schedule some time with us.
Pictures above are the fall yellow raspberries. These berries appear to produce fruit on the end of each of the branches, and are just now - October 31st, producing large clusters of these berries. The membership will extend to include the late fall Anna berry production. The berries have a very sweet, citrus flavor - delicious!
The following pictures are the TWU volunteers from October 24th. The trellised some of the raspberries, moved gallons of orange oil mixed with horticultural molasses and took care of many, many fire ant mounds!
