So the zucchini that I was trying to nurse along after removing squash borers from the plant's stem and blocking the fruit off after being nibbled ended up rotting its inner chamber. So no viable seeds though it almost made it.
However! Hope is not lost.
There is another.
And it's as long as and bigger around than my whole arm. Crossing fingers that nothing messes with it and it makes it to ripeness.
Looks like I'm going to have to break out the hoops and insect netting a little sooner than I was hoping, but the replacement zucchini plants (different variety) are growing very well. Only minor nibbles from pillbugs. This 100F heat wave is supposed to break Monday now (it was originally forecast for today but got extended), so I'm hoping to put it off until then.
Another dozen carrots harvested. I think that makes 5 or 6 dozen now? There's probably 3 dozen left, so I should be able to pull the rest right on time to transplant the Chinese broccoli into that bed. With its own insect netting row cover because:
The cabbage moths have attacked the kale while I wasn't paying attention. Just when I said that I was surprised that it was still doing good. Ah, well. The kale is for the chickens anyway so they'll get a bit more protein than planned...
The whole-ass broken peach tree I found in the green waste dumpster a few months back and splinted the break is doing great where I transplanted it. Has a full set of leaves at the crown and some leaves on the lower branches. I think the true test will be if the crown survives the winter.
The two mimosa saplings I started from seed and transplanted to either side of the peach tree are also doing well. I still have a third sapling still in a pot because I don't know where to put it. Thinking maybe in the spot where the azalea died? Ugh. Have to decide soon so it has time to establish.
The raised bed along the rear privacy fence is becoming jungle-like with cosmos and cannas and chartreuse sweet potato vine and blackberry canes. I love it. I think I have my preferred planting group for that spot now, though might try adding some ginger into the mix next year.
Bonus flower:
Volunteer rose of Sharon. They apparently like the woodsy environs of my side yard as part of the understory. Yeah they're an invasive, but a pretty innocuous one compared to the honeysuckle seedlings I'm continually ripping out. Easy to remove should I desire. And they have these great showy blooms.
