Gardening Photos From Our Garden – May 2023

The first half of May was cold, at least compared to what I am used to. Days were warm, but nights were often around 5 degrees Celsius / 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cold nights, unfortunately, mean that the soil takes forever to warm up. And for me, soil temperature means more than the average temperature as measured by a regular thermometer.

Still, towards the end of the month, most tomato and eggplant/aubergine plants have been moved outdoors. I still keep 20 or so plants in our greenhouses as I do not trust the weather. It has been up and down like crazy over here in zone 7.

The Click and Grow Smart Garden 9 project is going well. I really like the Smart Garden indoor garden system. Easy, foolproof, and pleasant to look at – what is there not to enjoy? I know – we would all have a couple if it were not for the cost. But for me, it is worth it, and I really look forward to growing fresh herbs and vegetables as fall and winter approaches.

I have direct sown chard, arugula, tatsoi, coriander/cilantro, thyme, rosemary, basil, chives, and several varieties of kale and lettuce. Check out my YouTube video on how to grow lettuce in a soil bag – a fantastic little “garden hack.”

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Gardening photos May 2023

Gardening photo of the week: 29 May – 4 June 2023

Cucumber orb spider watching aphid on eggplant leaf
Cucumber orb spider stalking an aphid on an eggplant
Some of my over 5 years old DIY grow bags are still growing strong
My DIY grow bags are built to last; some are five years old
Pinching suckers on tomato plants
Pinching suckers on indeterminate tomato plants.
Using garden scissors to thin out radishes growing in a container
Thinning out radishes, the baby leaves are delicious in salads.

Gardening photo of the week: 22 – 28 May 2023

One slug can destroy many plants
Slugs have a voracious appetite and must be controlled.
One slug can destroy an eggplant/aubergine plant and more
Eggplant/aubergine leaf damaged by snail or slug.
Fly visiting when mulching eggplants/aubergine plants
Fly visiting as I mulch a garden bed with eggplants/aubergine plants.

Gardening photo of the week: 15 – 21 May 2023

Green leafhopper on eggplant/aubergine leaf
Green leafhopper on eggplant/aubergine leaf.
Daisy, my gardening companion
Daisy, my ragdoll, is my gardening companion.
Not all leafhoppers are green, here a white leafhopper
Leafhoppers come in different colors, here a white visitor.
Preparing raised garden bed with garlic companion planted at the end
Garlic companion planted in raised garden bad.

Gardening photo of the week: 8 – 14 May 2023

Adding perlite to improve soil in containers
Perlite improves soil drainage and aeration.
Ladybugs are beneficial predators killing aphids and other pests
Ladybugs are a natural way to control aphids.
Improving soil in container for direct sowing radishes
Preparing container to direct sow radishes.
Moving eggplants / aubergine plants outdoors into raised garden bed
Moving eggplants/aubergine plants outdoors.

Gardening photo of the week: 1 – 7 May 2023

Finding aphids and white flies on eggplants (or aubergine) seedlings
Inspect your seedlings daily to catch pests and diseases early.
Yellowing first leaf hiding aphids
Do not assume all first leaves die from natural causes – it could be aphids.
Growing more tomato plants from top cuttings
Grow genetically identical tomato plants from tomato plant cuttings.
Aphid climbing back up on plant
Always check the soil for aphids when dealing with an infested plant.