It has been a busy two weeks, not only in real life, but in the garden, as well. In between drinking and almost dying, I forgot to update last week. It’s been mostly hot here, in northern Baltimore city. There’s a real shocker, right? Luckily, it hasn’t crept back into the 100s. For early July, I couldn’t ask for better weather: it’s been mostly sunny with the occasional shower; the tomatoes and peppers are absolutely loving it.

Bell Pepper Fruit

To date, I still only have one bell pepper. The two plants are so lush with green leaves, and there are budding nodes on them. It’s only a matter of time until I have plenty of bell-pepper fruits. I’m already thinking ahead to the fall and winter, and I’m wonder if it will be possible to over-winter them…

Tomato Blossoms

Sweet Million Tomato Fruits

Bush Early Girl Tomato

The tomatoes are doing absolutely fantastic. All of the plants have tons of flowers, and a couple of them have fruit already growing on them. Which means I need to pay close attention to their water levels, every day, at this point.

Ichiban Eggplant Quickly Growing

Last week, I was so excited about my Ichiban eggplant that I gave it its own post. Well, the fruit is now well over six inches long. It looks healthy and purple. And the best part is that the earwigs appear to be leaving the plant alone.

Fairy Tail Eggplant Fruits

The Fairy Tale eggplant is happily producing fruits, as well. At last count, it had four budding babies on it. The Fairy Tale is half the height of the Ichiban, but it is putting out more fruits at this point.

Chili Pepper Flowers

Jalapenos

The jalapenos, pepperoncinis, and chili peppers are doing remarkably well, as well. I’m honestly surprised at how healthy they have been, thus far. I expected some kind of pepper bacterium to swoop in and destroy them (no idea if something like this exists). Keeping my fingers crossed!

Patio Picker Cucumber Taking Over

Patio Picker Cucumber Fruits

The “patio picker” cucumber plant has at least two fruits on them, as well. I will probably pick both this week. I need to research at what point that I should pick them. Or maybe read the info stick that came with the plant.

Planted Moonstruck Marigolds

One of the things that I did of which I am proud is that I picked up five HUGE moonstruck marigold plants to companion-plant with my peppers and tomatoes. So far, they have taken root fairly well. The ones left, at Lowe’s, were less than stellar. With at least four and a half months of a growing season left, I picked up two packs of marigolds as well, and I’ve started them from seed. More on that later this week.

Rosemary

The herbs are happier than could be. We used some of the rosemary sprigs on potatoes, this weekend, and it made them taste fabulous. I am strongly considering trying a sprig or two in a bottle of beer to see if it would be worth using it to “dry hop” with.

The Cascade Hops are happily threading their ways up the jute twine that I have strung for them.

Cascade Hops Sending Up New Bines

Cascade Hops Quickly Growing

Currently, each of the two Cascade Hops rhizomes have three flourishing bines that are heading for the tops of their respective ropes. I am so anxious for them to begin producing cones. I’ve been reading on how to brew with them, and that has me excited to try it.

Dying Zucchini And Squash

Unfortunately, I have lost both my zucchini and squash plants to the forces of nature. More on this later in the week, as well.

How are your plants doing, so far? Let me know in the comments!