Thank you, Thisisme.
The trellis are new this year - both the back and the hoop. Next Spring, we plan to put in another two hoops and create a tunnel on that side. I'll need to put in some planter boxes, though. My plan is to have dipper and birdhouse gourds on them next summer. Those sunflowers are Mammoth (in the ground) and I either got hoodwinked on the seed or they are stunted due to our bad soil. For Mammoth, they are only standing at 5'. I did go ahead and plant 4 in the main bed just a few days ago. It will be interesting to see the difference between them. Anyway, I was hoping I'd have to tie them to the trellis and they would fill in the wire. Not.
The back trellis is loaded up with pole beans. Not setting fruit anymore. I think it will be a late harvest in September and forward. I'm working on getting the cucumber mixed in with them, but they are a bit too short right now. I can already see that I'll have my work cut out for me come winter when it's time to clear it, but it sure looks lovely at the moment.
I was so excited about Moringa this year, too, Thisisme. The critters got them at about 9" even though I had them chicken wired. Im guessing the ground squirrels or very young rabbit. Even chicken wire at ground level didn't do the trick! Do you have issues with rabbits in Mesa? We are very remote and near BLM land, so they are thick as thieves around here.
The collard trees look incredible. I remember looking for it once online and I can't recall if I could not find it or if it was a bit too pricy for me. I love the look of it as well. I'm going to leave a dinosaur kale this year and see if it will do something similar.
Gardening in the SW certainly has it challenges, but I sure love gardening. Didn't get started until moving here. First plant was Spring 2014. I can't begin to tell you the experiences we've had and the knowledge I've obtained since then. Knew nothing about any of it and spent hours reading. I still have much to learn and still make plenty of mistakes, but it's a real joy watching it all grow; and fetching produce from our property is a real blessing. One day, I hope to make the hoop house really produce for us in the winter. I just haven't quite gotten there yet. But, we gotta have a dream!
We sure would love a tour of your garden, Thisisme. Drop us a few if your so inclined.
Stay cool! The temps are climbing again!
