Oct18 update

October 18th update 

It's mid October already, and we're having awesome weather,  upper 70's and lower 80's, and some nice rain last week.   Everything is grown well except still battling some pest issues, especially with the spinach and somewhat with the cabbage.  

This weekend we picked out first Rouge vif d'Etampes pumpkin.   This is one from the hill that Andrew planted back in August.   Most of those plants have been in the shade for a while, due to the lowering sun and shorter days now.   So I think that is why this pumpkin didn't grow very big.  But it's very pretty. 

Andrew and his first pumpkin this year from. 

Close-up of the pumpkin.  Love it's shape

Here's another one in development.  This one has quite a different shape. 

One thing I like about pumpkins is that even within the same variety, the shapes and sized of the fruit vary so much.   Each pumpkin is unique.


Early in the spring I had planted a few Brussels sprouts seeds, and they had been growing all year, surviving the Texas heat, and the harlequin bugs too.   Here they are below.  Not sure what to expect...   I'm thinking that when we have real cool weather I might top these off and see if the sprouts start forming.

Surviving Brussels Sprouts plant. 

Okra is still producing 

Here is a picture of the spinach plants. They have been hit by pests, and some of them have been chopped off at the base mysteriously...  But a few are all alive.   I do have a bunch of other ones in pots that I plan on planting in the garden as soon space is available.  (when the pumpkin vines die probably).

Spinach next to mustard, lettuce, and some radish plants..

Mustard plants.   We've eaten lots of mustard greens this fall! 

Cabbage plants. 

A wall of Kentucky wonder pole beans.   No beans yet, but should be soon 

Young pea plants.  Sugar snap peas.   

In the peas above,  I'm  using the chicken wire cage as both a trellis, and for protection from either rabbits or rats that seem to love young pea plants. I lost some this spring so I've been real careful.

Lady bug eating aphids on the pumpkin plant. 

This is the latest pumpkin to set.   The plant is looking rather ragged, but I'm surprised it still set this fruit.