July in the Garden

So much is going on in the garden right now, it is quite impressive to me! Over the past seven months, I have spent so many hours building all of the structures of the garden, planting, and taking care of the new garden. I am hoping to get to a point where I can just be planting, managing, and harvesting. Oh, and producing content of course! For now, I am just happy with the progress.

Unfortunately, I broke my elbow last month. This has really made it horribly difficult to keep up with everything that I had planned. Typically, this is not the time of year to really be doing too much in my garden here in Southwest Florida, zone 10a. Regardless, I did have quite a bit planned for not only now but for the fall. Depending on how things go, I may not get to do much of it. Still, I am grateful for what I can still do.

One of the most impressive things in the garden is the luffa! I am always so in awe of how, with just a couple of seeds, it can totally take over! This is just the start of it and it is really taking off already. Completely climbing all over the 14′ wide double arch that I put up. It’s so beautiful, in fact, it’s GOURD-JUS!

@letitbeegarden

This incredible luffa is not just a GORGEOUS gourd! When left to mature on the Vine it turns into a fabulous luffa sponge, Of course. But did you know that you can also eat luffa?? I love to pick them when they’re on the smaller side and I sautee them up like I would zucchini or mic them in things in place of zucchini. I’m going to try a few other methods this year as well. I will be planting more luffa for the rest of the year. But so far I’m very happy with what I was able to get from 2 seeds. Typically lufa is extremely heat tolerant and has very low pest pressure. *However this year in my garden I did have quite a few pest issues with it, Including a Giant iguana who decided it wanted to climb to the top of this trellis daily to eat many of the leaves as it was growing. I scared it off a few times but I don’t know I think he’s been back. I’m pretty sure there would have been a lot more growth if he weren’t around. I did have to treat the leaves with spinosad because there were quite a few pickle worms, leaf footed bugs, and a few other pests that don’t normally bother it. Despite all of its challenges…including excessive, excessive heat, humidity and much less rain than normal… I think it turned out quite well! there are a number of other ways to use luffa as well and I will be sharing here… want to know more? Are you growing luffa in your garden?? #letitbeegarden #zone10aflorida #garden2023 #floridagardener #englewoodflorida #luffa #luffatok #gardentok #gourdjus #loofa #loofah #loofahsponge #luffa #floridasummergarden #somelikeithot #fypシ #gardenjoy #englewoodstrong

♬ Gorgeous – Taylor Swift

The okra is doing quite well also. So are the peppers, eggplants, sunflowers, and passionfruit! Despite the incredible heat, these things are, thankfully–unstoppable! This is not to say that there aren’t challenges, however. Next post, I will address all of the insane pest pressure that I am encountering in my garden, and how I am keeping them (for the most part) at bay.

For now, I’m just grateful that everything is doing as well as it has been. I haven’t been able to spend quite as much time lately on the maintenance due to my arm. This has definitely caused some problems. Despite the fact that I have been less attentive than I would like, so much is doing so well! Including my sweet potatoes! At least the vines are doing super well. This is my first year growing them…I cannot wait to see how they turn out! Additionally, I have been creating a new “zone” in the garden and it is really turning out to be quite amazing! More to come! Happy Gardening!

Jennifer

@letitbeegarden

It can be super challenging to grow in the heat when you live in a subtropical climate such as I do here in zone 10a in Southwestern Florida. Since rebuilding the garden I have definitely planted a lot more things than normal. Sure I had to pull some things out and get rid of things and the past pressure has been absolutely insane, So I’ve had to treat more than normal. Regardless there are quite a few things that have so far been unstoppable and I am very grateful for that! Are you in zone 9 or higher? If so what are you growing in your garden?? #letitbeegarden #zone10aflorida #garden2023 #floridagardener #englewoodflorida #okra #luffa #peppers #tomatoes #luffatok #gardentok #gourdjus #loofa #loofah #loofahsponge #luffa #floridasummergarden #somelikeithot #fypシ

♬ Unstoppable (I put my armor on, show you how strong I am) – Sia