People Are Assholes

We live near a large park and a small but very nice zoo, and I don't mind that there's never any parking in front of our house in the summer, but I do mind the litter.  Does this look like a yard no one cares for?

I've also found cigarette butts and used diapers.

Tomatastrophe

Sometime last night this tomato plant fell over, in spite of a six-foot tall bamboo stake and a shorter tomato cage.  Next year I'm going to make really sturdy tomato cages from concrete reinforcing wire and rebar stakes.  I'm also going to give each tomato plant a bit more space.  They are just monstrous this year!  Is it the mushroom compost?

Seriously Lame Lamium

Lamium is supposed to be so aggressive--mine is just pathetic.  It's been languishing in this spot for about four years now, occasionally throwing out a flower or two, but mostly just barely hanging on.  I gave it some really nice composted leaf mulch this spring; if it doesn't shape up next year, it goes.  I'll have to find something bright to contrast with the bergenia and the wild ginger.

Timing Errors (A Continuing Series)

With a two-week vacation abroad looming, I put out soaker hoses and attached a digital timer.  Note to self: put in soaker hoses BEFORE the plants grow to epic proportions.  Getting them in place was a huge pain, and caused a lot of leaf shredding as I fought through a tomato and cucumber jungle.  Plus, it would have been so convenient to have an easy and regular watering system all season.

Square Foot My Ass

According to the book, zucchini needs one square.  I gave them a bit more space than that when planting, but it still wasn't enough.  I had to move a pepper, tomato, and two basil plants to give my two squash enough space (and to prevent those plants from being smothered).  I also massively pruned the squash, and they may never recover.  I left one tomato plant in the corner.  Next year I'm going to put two squash plants in opposite corners of one 9 square foot bed and let them duke it out by themselves.