I think the garden, by and large, is enjoying the warm weather this week, especially the fact that it hasn’t rained! The strawberries are pretty much done for the time being, but the other fruit is hot on their heels. I’ve posted the handout & recipe for this week’s Lunch in the Garden, featuring Lemon Balm, on the Lunch in the Garden page.

Don’t these look luscious? They are just starting to ripen, so I seem to get too impatient and end up eating a not-quite-ripe and a little bit tart berry every third one or so. The black raspberries are an unknown variety that was mislabeled as a ‘Chester’ Blackberry when I started working here. The red currants are ‘Cascade,’ and this is the first year that the plant looks really good and has a decent number of fruit on it.  Unfortunately, our plants are rather too close together, so I’m sure I’m missing some fruit.

The Bean Leaf Beetles are having a field day with our beans. You know, if the critters weren’t so destructive, there really is a rather artistic quality about some of the holes in the leaves.

This ‘Blues Hybrid’ Napa Cabbage is headed to my plate pretty quick here…I think there is a pot sticker recipe with its name on it!

The Chinese Long Beans haven’t been bothered by the Bean Leaf Beetles, and they love the heat! They have finally really taken off, and I think they are growing at least 3-4″ up the trellis each day. The best part is that they are finding their way up the trellis all by themselves, without any assistance!

A pair of Mallard Ducks have decided that our compost bins are the best place to build their nest. The mama duck has been dutifully sitting on the eggs for several days now. I’m glad she found a relatively safe nesting site, but it does rather hinder our efforts to make compost.

Have a great weekend!