Isolating Squash Blossoms. 7.6.2021

Several of the winter squashes are blooming, mostly male flowers. I want to collect seeds and have them true to type, so I isolated the first female Pink Banana Squash blossom to avoid bee pollination with other cultivars. I didn't isolate any males yet, but should tonight. Before

After

Some people tape them shut. That might be better. I have been manually pollinating the zucchinis, which are pretty widely separated so should be true to type. Tomorrow am, I'll manually pollinate this one too.

Knee High by the 4th of July. Sweetcorn. 7.5.2021

My dad used to say the sweetcorn should be knee high by the 4th of July. That was easier back in corn growing country, in Illinois. Here in the Maritime Pacific NW it's more of a surprise. This yearm Spring was early and warm, and we had that hot spell. This variety is "Trinity", an SE+ typecthat stays sweeter, is earlier, and the seeds are a bit more tolerant of cooler soils. It is also less tall, and the ears are a bit smaller that later varieties. I planted earlier in May than In most years, because it was so warm.

I gave Rufus his Haircut. 7.4.2021

One benefit of the COVID epidemic is that I started doing Rufus's grooming. He always seemed kind of traumatized at the groomers. He's the first dog I ever had who likes a bath - I tell him "Time for your bath" and he goes into the shower. He's not so crazy about his haircut, but no longer squirms except when I trim his face and paws. I don't push it - I groom him to keep him cool and make baths easier, not to win a fashion contest. And he's pretty happy afterwards. Before

During

After. Happy Rufus!

Garden Update. 7.4.2021

Various updates from the Kitchen Garden Most of the squashes are blooming, at least male flowers. Red Kuri squash also has setting fruit. This is a male flower from Pink Banana Squash.

We got the July 4th tomatoes I wanted. Just three cherry tomatoes, but it's symbolic. These are Sugar Rush. To be honest, they are not as good as Supersweet 1000 or Sungold, but still, real cherry tomato flavor for July 4th. Also, a taste of Fallgold raspberries, from plants I planted this Spring. Pretty good to get a taste the first year.

The pickle cukes have taken off and are growing like gangbusters. The best growth is the group from home saved seeds. Too bad I don't know which variety or even if it was open pollinated or hybrid. The male flowers are puny but maybe good enough?

The red currant plant had enough currants to make a jar of jam. The plant produced even though it's in the shade of an apple tree.

First Pillow Sham Main Panel. Men's Shirt Quilt. 7.4.2021

Today I completed the main front panel for the first pillow sham, to match the unfinished quilt made from the same mens shirts. I wanted it to be mostly the same fabric, but a different pattern. Im still a beginner so this is not perfect. Even so, I'm pretty happy with the result. This will need a border and auilting. I need to finish the auilt first to see what I have left over. This panel is made entirely from scraps of thrift shop and estate sale men's shirts, left over from making the main quilt.