It’s time for the weekly update on the Clermont County Master Gardener Straw Bale Demonstration Garden and other MGV gardens, located on the Clermont County Fairgrounds. Master Gardener Volunteer Deb Garner had this to say about our gardens:
“Last week the straw bale temperatures held in the 80’s which permitted great growth.
The tomatoes are beginning to look very good with the beginnings of fruit sets. The Jet Star tomatoes seem to be doing the best. It is evident that the bales are composting well as some of the bales are now leaning with the weight of the tomatoes. A few additional stakes were added and some pruning helped.
The pumpkins are growing rapidly and the plants look very robust.
Peppers are doing exceptionally well. A few holes in the leaves were spotted but, no pests were seen. Many of the pepper varieties have the beginnings of fruit and the some of the Early Jalapenos are ready to harvest.
More radish seeds will be planted in the garden; as the present radishes are ready to pull.
The demonstration garden bed edges containing marigolds and nasturtiums are stunning. The Moonflower and Scarlet Runner Bean on the entrance trellis are climbing away! The amazing growth of these flowers have attracted many pollinators; as you can see in the photo depicted below of a bee on the Borage plant.
Other gardens located on the fairgrounds are coming along too. The container garden is very lush with tomatoes setting fruit and the cucumbers are climbing the trellis. Monarch butterflies have been spotted at the container garden.
The sensory garden has required a bit more work. Plants are in the ground in rather compacted soil; they are having some trouble becoming established. The sensory garden is truly a work in progress and many replants have taken place. Gardening is always a learning experience.
The weekend did bring rain and is sure to burst growth in the gardens. See you next week for another update.”
