Fall Bean Harvest

Got my first harvest of fall beans. The kids don't care for them but the wife and I do. I continue to treat for bean leaf beetles.

Hyacinth Bean

The hyacinth bean is putting on a wonderful display now. There is a wooden chair underneath all the growth. The bean bods are edible. I've never tried them since they are attractive to look at, as well.

Bean leaf beetles like this bean just as much as the bush beans. I've been able to treat all beans for them this season.

The bush beans are blooming, so looking forward to the fall harvest.

Planting Bed Preparation

Many people planted grass over the Labor Day weekend. I got a load of compost from the Transfer Station and spread it over my shrub/flower planting bed. The compost was worth the wait. This project started on the 4th of July weekend.

The compost, sulphur and existing soil have been worked together. I will now have the soil tested to see if I need anything else to add to the soil prior to planting this fall.

Bean leaf beetle

Bean leaf beetles must never sleep. This is the second time I have treated for them. Luckly, plants want to live. The beans will grow out of the damage. Although, there is a lot of leaf missing, there still is enough to keep producing growth. The crop will be delayed due to the reduced food producing leaves.

Propagation

I am attempting to get some free shrubs going. I took the transparent plastic tub and filled it half full of a mixture of 50/50 vermiculite and perlite. I took cuttings in early July and a few have formed roots. Some died and some are still thinking about it.

The media was kept moist and the lid was left on.

A few of these rooted cuttings, I have potted up and I'm hopeful that they will become part of my landscape next spring.

Ornamental Millet

The ornamental millet 'Jade Princess' is a real attention getter. It is planted in two of our demonstration beds at the courthouse plaza. Stop-by and see it in person when downtown.

Fall snap beans

My fall crop of green beans are off to a good start. A little water during the heat got them going. We will hope for cooler temperatures from here through harvest. The drip tube will distribute water if it isn't provided by nature rain fall. I will have to keep an eye out for bean leaf beetles.

Ragweed Control

Here is a swallowtail caterpillar feeding on my fennel in the beneficial plant garden.
Below picture, these ragweeds are near the beneficial insect garden. Is it a coincidence that butterfly larvae are feeding on it? I believe that they will become the Bordered Patch butterfly. Although, there are quite a few feeding, I have plenty of ragweed not being fed upon.