Friday, August 12, 2011

dodecahedron

June 25, 2011
We have struggled over the last couple of seasons with attacks of powdery mildew on our squash plants. Last year, we made the drastic step of pulling the entire contents of the “dodecahedron” bed early so that we could amend the bed in an attempt to strengthen the next year’s crop against disease.

This year, we planted the dodecahedron bed with Waltham Butternut squash, sunflowers, and tomatoes. After a slow start, the bed exploded with growth. Aided by good weather, assiduous tending, and (we think) the soil amendments, the bed is now a small jungle of plants. Wandering vines strain against the chicken wire fence. The soil is obscured by lush, green leaves that are a foot wide. Enormous squash flowers hide among the leaves. Sunflower plants tower over everything.

July 2, 2011
July 16, 2011


August 6, 2011