The June Garden {and a moringa tree giveaway}

by Angi Schneider
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The June Garden in Zone 9 is usually full of goodies to harvest. The heat is about to set in and there is usually less than 4 weeks of harvesting left until fall. This year we've had an unusual amount of rain, come see what is doing well and what isn't. Goodness our June garden has gone through a lot. We started the month harvesting tomatoes, squash and green beans. Then came Tropical Storm Bill which dumped 7 inches on our property in two days. Our ground was already saturated as we’ve already had as much rain as we get in a normal YEAR. Although I’m happy about the drought ending for us, our plants have struggled with all this water. 

The June Garden in Zone 9 is usually full of goodies to harvest. The heat is about to set in and there is usually less than 4 weeks of harvesting left until fall. This year we've had an unusual amount of rain, come see what is doing well and what isn't. These are Juliet tomatoes I love, love, love them! They are super prolific, much more than Romas are, and they don’t seem to be as bothered by pests as the other varieties are. These are a paste tomato and we’ll definitely be planting them in the future. 

The June Garden in Zone 9 is usually full of goodies to harvest. The heat is about to set in and there is usually less than 4 weeks of harvesting left until fall. This year we've had an unusual amount of rain, come see what is doing well and what isn't. Our homestead tomatoes are doing ok this year. They are much bigger than the Juliets, but they also have much more water in them. They are also more prone to spit in the rain and be bothered by the pests. 

The June Garden in Zone 9 is usually full of goodies to harvest. The heat is about to set in and there is usually less than 4 weeks of harvesting left until fall. This year we've had an unusual amount of rain, come see what is doing well and what isn't. This is the leaf footed bug. We see him every year on our tomatoes but we’ve not seen as many this year. Who knows why but I’m thankful. We do a little hand to hand combat when we see one in the garden, even if it means sacrificing a tomato. These guys pierce the fruit and suck the juice out. It’s sad. Because we have such a short winter, these can go through three life cycles in our area. 

The June Garden in Zone 9 is usually full of goodies to harvest. The heat is about to set in and there is usually less than 4 weeks of harvesting left until fall. This year we've had an unusual amount of rain, come see what is doing well and what isn't. So, I planted four different kinds of basil this year; sweet, Thai, lemon and purple. The purple smells and tastes like the sweet. But the lemon smells like lemon and the Thai smells like licorice. I’m excited to use these in my kitchen this year. 

The June Garden in Zone 9 is usually full of goodies to harvest. The heat is about to set in and there is usually less than 4 weeks of harvesting left until fall. This year we've had an unusual amount of rain, come see what is doing well and what isn't. Our cucumbers have done well. We’ve preserved all we need to for the year and now we’re just growing them as treats for the chickens. 

The June Garden in Zone 9 is usually full of goodies to harvest. The heat is about to set in and there is usually less than 4 weeks of harvesting left until fall. This year we've had an unusual amount of rain, come see what is doing well and what isn't. Banana peppers are our favorite pepper. But we like to  pick our peppers when they turn red since it makes them a little sweeter. Once these turn red we’ll ferment them. 

The June Garden in Zone 9 is usually full of goodies to harvest. The heat is about to set in and there is usually less than 4 weeks of harvesting left until fall. This year we've had an unusual amount of rain, come see what is doing well and what isn't. We only got two Armenian cucumbers this year, which is fine since they were our least favorite. This was our first year to grow them. I don’t think I’ll be growing them in the future. 

The June Garden in Zone 9 is usually full of goodies to harvest. The heat is about to set in and there is usually less than 4 weeks of harvesting left until fall. This year we've had an unusual amount of rain, come see what is doing well and what isn't. This was one evening’s harvest toward the beginning of the month. Such a great variety. 

The June Garden in Zone 9 is usually full of goodies to harvest. The heat is about to set in and there is usually less than 4 weeks of harvesting left until fall. This year we've had an unusual amount of rain, come see what is doing well and what isn't. Our okra as blooming and we’ll have okra soon. The flowers are so beautiful I think I’d plant them even if we didn’t actually eat okra. 

The June Garden in Zone 9 is usually full of goodies to harvest. The heat is about to set in and there is usually less than 4 weeks of harvesting left until fall. This year we've had an unusual amount of rain, come see what is doing well and what isn't. Our lemon tree has gone crazy with fruit. I’m so happy after not having any harvest last year. Our small Meyer lemon tree and our cara cara orange tree both have fruit on them also but they are much younger so don’t have as much. 

The June Garden in Zone 9 is usually full of goodies to harvest. The heat is about to set in and there is usually less than 4 weeks of harvesting left until fall. This year we've had an unusual amount of rain, come see what is doing well and what isn't. The morning trees are over 6 feet tall. I’ve been meaning to research when to harvest the leaves so that they still continue to grow. No new branches grew where I harvested last fall, so I’ve been hesitant to harvest again. Instead I just talked with Karen from Blue Yonder Urban Farms and she told me that I need to prune them, if I want them to bush out. She would know since she’s the one who I got these from. Also, she sponsoring a three winner moringa root giveaway just for our readers. Because she’s super sweet like that. The giveaway form is at the bottom of the this post. 

The June Garden in Zone 9 is usually full of goodies to harvest. The heat is about to set in and there is usually less than 4 weeks of harvesting left until fall. This year we've had an unusual amount of rain, come see what is doing well and what isn't. The asparagus bed is doing great. It will be fun in the next couple of years to see how much asparagus we get from it. 

The June Garden in Zone 9 is usually full of goodies to harvest. The heat is about to set in and there is usually less than 4 weeks of harvesting left until fall. This year we've had an unusual amount of rain, come see what is doing well and what isn't. This is a luffa. You know, that sponge thing they sell in the bath section at the store. Yep, it’s a squash. Right now we have two large luffas but the plants are filled with blooms so hopefully we’ll have more by the end of he season. 

The June Garden in Zone 9 is usually full of goodies to harvest. The heat is about to set in and there is usually less than 4 weeks of harvesting left until fall. This year we've had an unusual amount of rain, come see what is doing well and what isn't. Let’s do a little before and after. The photo above is one of our cucumber patches the morning that Tropical Storm Bill hit. 

The June Garden in Zone 9 is usually full of goodies to harvest. The heat is about to set in and there is usually less than 4 weeks of harvesting left until fall. This year we've had an unusual amount of rain, come see what is doing well and what isn't. This photo is the same patch a few days after when the ground dried out enough that I was able to get into the garden. They’ve now been pulled and burned. 

The June Garden in Zone 9 is usually full of goodies to harvest. The heat is about to set in and there is usually less than 4 weeks of harvesting left until fall. This year we've had an unusual amount of rain, come see what is doing well and what isn't. Our yellow pear tomato plant has about had it after all the rain. This plant was a volunteer that came up in our front flower bed last fall. It was the first to produce this spring. But it probably will need to be pulled soon. 

The June Garden in Zone 9 is usually full of goodies to harvest. The heat is about to set in and there is usually less than 4 weeks of harvesting left until fall. This year we've had an unusual amount of rain, come see what is doing well and what isn't. Same with some of our green bean plants. Fortunately, we’ve preserved quite a bit and we’ll replant for a fall harvest soon.

It’s not just the water. It’s the combination of so much water and heat. Plus living in a humid area, we already struggle with powdery mildew. 

The June Garden in Zone 9 is usually full of goodies to harvest. The heat is about to set in and there is usually less than 4 weeks of harvesting left until fall. This year we've had an unusual amount of rain, come see what is doing well and what isn't. The orchard area (not where our citrus trees are) is towards the back of our property. Our property slops back and this area has been collecting water. We’ve dug trenches to pull the water away from our trees but they are still struggling. The back tree is a plum tree and it has dropped all it’s leaves. The front is a peach tree. This is the first year our peach trees have produced but the peaches are small and still hard. I’m not sure what they are going to do. 

The June Garden in Zone 9 is usually full of goodies to harvest. The heat is about to set in and there is usually less than 4 weeks of harvesting left until fall. This year we've had an unusual amount of rain, come see what is doing well and what isn't. Here is a close up of the peach tree a few days after Bill. All the leaves are droopy like it needs water but the ground is wet. The lower leaves have been steamed by the heat. And the peaches look like they have been stretched and then wilted. 

The June Garden in Zone 9 is usually full of goodies to harvest. The heat is about to set in and there is usually less than 4 weeks of harvesting left until fall. This year we've had an unusual amount of rain, come see what is doing well and what isn't. We did find some sweet potatoes in the garage that were left over from last year’s harvest. Some were sprouting so we planted them in the bed that previously had kale and chard. Sweet potatoes need about 120 days and since we have such late average frost date we should be fine. 

We’ve had other casualties from the amazing amount of rain we’ve had this year, our potatoes, tomatoes and carrots have all rotted in the ground. But because we’ve had so much rain, I’ve been able to replant squash and zucchini since our original patch was attached by vine borers. Normally, it’s too late to plant anything right now since it will just get burned up. 

A few years ago I read an article from Tessa at Homestead Lady about her Garden of Whatever. That’s my garden every year. I start the season with hopes and dreams and plans but really, there are so many variables that by the time I get to June I’m just thankful for whatever we can harvest. That’s part of the gardening journey, no two years are the same. Here is our garden in June 2014 and June 2013

Something super exciting has also happened this month. A friend’s son has started collecting french fry boxed from Chic fil A for me (he works there) and our county has hired a company to trim the trees near the power lines in our area. There is a sign on the truck that says “free wood chips.” We’ve talked to workers and they are dumping the wood chips on our property for us. We’ve gotten one load so far and we gave the guys some jam as a thank you. So, hopefully we get the rest that we asked for. We’re using the cardboard and wood chips in the garden walkways. 

The Ultimate Gardening Tool - Get your own gardening notebook today I’m making notes in my gardening notebook so I can remember what the season was like. What varieties did well and what really didn’t. If you don’t already keep a gardening notebook, I highly suggest you start. 

Moringa-Root1 This is a moringa root and it will  grow an amazing edible tree. Not just edible, but a tree that some cultures call The Tree of Life because it is so nutritious. It is also used medicinally. You can read more about the moringa plant in this post. 

The fine print – This giveaway is open to those 18 and older who live in the contiguous 48 states of the US. Each winner will receive one moringa rootstock from Blue Yonder Urban Farm. The giveaway is open until July 6, 2015 at 11:59pm Central time. 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

The June Garden in Zone 9 is usually full of goodies to harvest. The heat is about to set in and there is usually less than 4 weeks of harvesting left until fall. This year we've had an unusual amount of rain, come see what is doing well and what isn't.

What’s going on in your garden this month? 

Thanks for sharing with your friends!

42 thoughts on “The June Garden {and a moringa tree giveaway}”

  1. I’d admire you! I live in the city where it is next to impossible to grow anything, yet, even after a storm you’re still optimistic. Bravo!
    I wish I could participate in your giveaway, but I’m in Canada. Feel free to check out my blog too. Maybe you might find some recipes to put all of that produce to good use. 🙂
    http://www.prettypracticalpantry.com
    Cheers!

    Reply

    • Thanks for visiting and your kind words. I’m sorry about the Canada thing, it’s something to do the laws about shipping plants, not because we don’t like y’all. 😉 By the way, the tomato jam on your site looks wonderful.

      Reply

  2. Our Armenian cucumber has only recently taken off. It seems the hotter it has gotten the better it has done. We have some tomatoes left but mainly peppers. I have been canning candied jalapeno slices and freezing poppers to enjoy later. I really need to start thinking about my fall garden.

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  4. I’m right outside of Chicago, and my plants have been loving the warm, excessively rainy days we have been having. Everything is growing like crazy, but no tomatoes, peppers, cukes, squashes, or beans just yet.

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  6. I have been mourning the fact that my “free range” chickens have been digging up my garden trying to get to the cool lower layers of soil. It sure gives me a better perspective to hear about your weather trials; guess I will quit feeling sorry for myself and start re planting

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    • oh goodness, we’ve had naughty chickens before. We finally fenced off our garden to keep the chickens, dogs and our neighbor’s rabbits out.

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  7. 🙁 Poor plants. I have, thus far, been totally unsuccessful at growing things. It’s always something *different* that goes wrong, but it’s always something. I actually didn’t even bother planting anything new this year (although I’m hoping to maybe get some herbs in).

    I’d love to try the moringa, but I don’t know if it will grow here. I’m in zone 6b, and I know that’s a bit cold for them, but I don’t know if it would die back and then resprout in the spring.

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    • Hey Rachel, you can grow moringa in a pot and just bring it in for the winter. I’ve heard Karen tell others that as long as your ground doesn’t freeze it should grow back in the spring.

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  8. I love hearing what others have done or what they are doing in their gardens. I seem to make ours garden bigger every year. I don’t have a long growing season like you do here in Wisconsin. I feel your pain,after planting and taking care of items just to have either bugs or weather take away the fruits of our labors. I hope your next set of crops will do well. Great on the pickles being done for the year! (I need to remind myself that not all plants do well but count my blessings when they do! ) My family loves those pickles! So, tell me what don’t you like about the Armenian pickles? I never heard of them before this. I really enjoyed your post.

    Reply

    • We just didn’t care as much for the flavor. I know many people who LOVE them, we just aren’t those people. I’m glad we tried them and I’ve sliced and frozen some to add to water later but we didn’t like them well enough to plant again.

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  10. I loved this post!…and your perseverance. Gardens can really test us. For the first time we have been having a battle with voles “taking” our vegetable plants. They were in a raised bed that had tomatoes, kale and basil. I’d come out to find no trace of a plant. I started calling it the “tomato rapture”…until they started taking all the kale as well.

    I can’t tell you how many times I replanted the tomatoes!

    My grandson calls the voles…vegetarian moles. ?

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    • lol…love the “tomato rapture”. We’ve had moles before but not voles. Our youngest son was 9 at the time and we paid him a bounty for trapping them.

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  11. Black eye peas, snap peas, black beans, cabbage (red, green, chinese), peanuts, cantaloupe, honey dew, carrots, and a few radish stragglers.

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  12. I have known about this wonder tree for a few years, but never really knew there were two kinds, and where it can grow! Hopefully we’ll have a chance to try it out! We are trying so hard to be self sufficient, and it would be great if I can add this to our, and our meat rabbits’ diets in one way or another!

    Reply

  14. I’ve never heard of a moringa tree before reading your blog. However, I love growing anything edible and healthy. Thank you for sharing about it.

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  15. We just moved into our new house in early May so planted late (live in the PNW). Just starting to get tomatoes, the corn is growing, zucchini is looking okay. But a lot of empty spots. Need to plant more and figure out what to plant for Fall crops.

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  16. Great giveaway! My tomatoes are doing good now that I planted them in a pot this year but for the life of me I can’t grow green beans, for the last 3 years I have tried growing the bush kind and I get a handful and that’s about it before the plants go caput. I don’t know if it’s the heat or what, I’ve tried growing them in pots and in raised bed gardens neither worked. I may try a different kind next year, your garden is beautiful!

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    • We’ve never done well with bush beans. This year I planted some because I had seeds. They produce earlier than pole beans but they aren’t very prolific for me. We also planted some Kentucky Wonder Beans which are what are pictured on the bamboo in the post. And some Tarheel pole beans which are an old heirloom variety that a friend sent me. We liked both of them. They produced much better than the bush beans and the flavors are good. They do have strings that need to be removed when you snap them though. You might try pole beans next year.

      Reply

  17. Wow! There is nothing prettier than a basket of freshly picked produce from your very own garden.

    Hey, I need help. I have mammoth snow peas growing and they fell. The rows are 35 feet and I have two rows. How can I lift them up in expensively? I have tried string, but it isn’t strong enough. Argh!

    I am intrigued with the loofa plant. Awesome!

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    • oh gosh! You might have to try putting some poles in the ground, maybe t-posts, and using them and rope to help old them up. I’ve never planted in long rows like that so that’s all I’ve got.

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  19. I’m new to zone 9 and I needed this post.

    My family in the Midwest are growing beautiful crops and gardens on the farm…while I harvest two tomatoes from six plants after being tortured by (to me) foreign invaders and then burning my plants in this hot sun.

    I began to think the ot thing I could grow was herbs. Now I remember…we all have challenges. Learn, plan, grow. Literally and figuratively!

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  20. Wish my garden was as productive as yours, but alas we got it in late again! And my tomatoes seem to be taking their sweet time!
    Been wanting to get moringa trees. Maybe this is my chance…

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  21. We’ve been battling raccoons for weeks now. Lost a few tomato plants and all of the strawberries, but salvaged most of the garden. I don’t care how cute the little buggers are, they need to learn how to grow their own!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply

  22. I have peach and fig trees along with some pepper plants, mint, chives, and other perennials but sadly still have not planted my usual veggie garden since moving to this home last year.

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  23. Hi,
    Your beautiful garden s doing great whereas our garden in canada is just starting to get few flower in tomatoes plant. I don’t see bees here this year and almost all my neigbours here are angry because of the late season.

    Please I just like to ask you about english cucumber. Where do you get seed or how does you grow ?
    Keep up the great garden.
    thanks
    almas

    Reply

  24. I only have a small container garden so far but I have got strawberries, green breans, my tomatoes and peppers are finally starting to flower. I have blackberry and plums that were growing when I moved here so they are doing well.

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  25. I have a container garden. Have tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce, bell peppers, mint, chives, parsley, beans, and cucumbers. They are all doing well, have eaten some of my lettuce, have lots more though.

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  26. My garden is just getting out of pots & into the ground. I haven’t predictably felt well this year’ which is the reason for the lateness, but we have a very long growing season so it won’t be too bad. Fou kinds of tomato plants went in today. Tomorrow (I hope) will be the cucumbers and hot peppers. Then the rhubarb, which was transplanted from a poor location while I wasn’t feeling well, will need to be moved “& then I’ll assess where to go from there.

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  27. We have had so much rain so we will be thankful for anything we get. Our cucumbers have done well and we did okay on potatoes and onions. The tomatoes are loaded but still green. We will have our first grilled jalapeño poppers this weekend.

    Reply

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