Projo Garden Blog

This is Squash Balmoral, a new introduction from Park. Since it's its first year, I thought I'd put some images out there.

Today, the first squash on this plant is 4 inches in diameter. Since they're advertised as producing 6 to 8 inch squashes, and squash grow rapidly, I'll shoot it again tomorrow, see how it's grown in the 93-degree weather expected today.

Since big old trees ensure that my sunniest beds get no more than 8 hours -- about 6 at midday, some more near sunset, I don't expect huge harvests, ever. The results I post should be encouraging to you -- if it works for me here, it should thrive in your sunnier spots.

Ever the mad scientist, I planted two Balmoral plants in the garden, two in one-gallon pots between them, and two in the raised bed. The two in the garden each have their first squash; no squash yet, but lots of blooms on the potted ones. You can see the edges of the pots and the other garden plant with its young squash below.

Those in the beds were shaded by the tall garlic plants and, with those gone, are just taking off now. They have plenty of room there, although one was in a fight with a tomato plant. The tomato has now grown taller than the squash leaves, below, so I'm expecting veggie harmony now:

That's shellfish compost against the back wall of the raised bed. It will smother weeds and raise the leve of the bed, now depleted by the first crop of lettuce and garlic. Tomorrow I'll spread it and plant the peppers there that are refusing to grow much in pots, and maybe toss in some perennial flowers seeds for next year. I know I have some delphinium seed somewhere.

I forgot to plant carrot seed, so I'll throw that in, too. If we have a mild fall, there should still be time. The loose soil here will be perfect for them. Not much to lose, and a bonanza if it works

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