September 24 update

Summer is finally gone and now Fall kicks in and it is really getting to be growing season in SW Florida. I am rebuilding several of my beds into double stacked blocks instead of 1 high. I haven't gotten very far because it has just kept on raining and everything having to do with the yard and garden is just plain soggy. So much for crying though as I did get some seeds started and a few items transplanted. Let's take a look and see what we have going on right now.

First on the East side of the house we have the Carambola tree which is loaded with blooms. One thing I like about it is that it bears several crops all year long so you can keep on getting fruit to eat throughout the year.

Next the Papaya have really taken off with the rain. They are loaded with fruit and we pick a couple every day or so. There is not much to worry about with them. Just plant them and make sure they get enough water and they do their thing.

 Next I have some Pumpkins growing near the Papaya. They have started to bloom and I am hoping to have some ripe by Thanksgiving.

Here is a shot of a male flower blooming.

Here you can see one of the first female buds developing. This will turn into a pumpkin if it is pollinated when it blooms.

A wider view of the East side.

The peppers I transplanted a couple weeks ago aren't doing well at all. I think it is some kind of nutrient deficiency The leaves are all stunted and curled up. This happened to a couple plants last year but after a few weeks they grew fine. I'm hoping these will

In one of the beds I planted  I planted Derby green beans which are growing well.

And another bed is planted with Royalty Purple bush beans. They did real good for me last season and I almost get 100% germination from these.

Next I have some Zucchini and Straight Neck squash that a gardener friend of mine gave me to try.

The Asian cucumbers I transplanted are beginning to vine up the trellises

This bed was one high block last year. I am double stacking all the blocks to two high this year. This is just the start and hopefully it will quit raining so I can get it all finished and ready for planting.

I am going to be starting more seeds this year so I don't have to rely on the store for transplants. Here I have Cabbage, Packman broccoli, and Red Kale in the left tray. Yellow Granex onions occupy the tray on the right. They are the same variety as Vidalia onions are except you can't call them Vidalia unless they are grown where only Vidalia onions can be grown.

I separated a few Tomato seedlings and transplanted them here. They are under the grow light until their root systems grow enough to support them. This way they won't get forgot about in the sun and then I come out to find a bunch of shriveled plants.