Summer Solstice and a Growing Garden

Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. To celebrate, we went to the community garden to plant a couple more onions and the rest of the seeds. Chris planted lettuce, radish, beet and bush bean seeds in the leftover space. We picked more radish and made a salad with them for lunch.

Zucchini with lots of flowers

We were surprised to see that two squash plants (which didn't look too good a few weeks ago) have miniature squash starting.

Tiny zucchini 

Tiny little Hubbard Sqaush

We only have 3 squash, the zucchini, a crookneck and the Hubbard (based on a friend's recommendation). The croockneck looks like it's still struggling, but putting out flowers. In future, I think I'd like more room for squash and pumpkin.

Now that we might actually start watering the plants ourselves (goodbye rain), I decided to try one of my "moo-poo" tea bags. We filled a bucket with about 3 gallons of water and left a tea bag to steep. The directions say to steep 1 bag in 1-5 gallons of water for 1-3 days. We left it at the garden (with a note not to drink it). When we go back in a day or two we can add more water and make it an even 5 gallons. 

Natural Brew Premium Soil Conditioner from Authentic Haven Brand

I look forward to trying the 'tea' it seems like a more effecient way to fertilize than applying compost to the entire garden. Plus, it is natural (organic) not a chemical fertilizer.

P.S.
If you are interested in seasonal folklore visit Seasonal Wisdom, Teresa O'Connor's website has a section devoted to seasonal folklore including the Summer Solstice.