Hot Days, Cool Days, Hot nights, Cool Nights...October's Here !

I always think of you this time of year as I add a blanket and then remove it...then
add again. Hope the world is treating you right.

Received this note from a friend, today. It couldn't have been expressed better! October is the month for surprises...hot days, cool days, warm nights, cool nights. We Borregans are used to it but the garden needs extra help...tender shoots breaking through the ground need moisture to keep from drying out. I apply a light sprinkle a few times a day, as needed, to help them through the hot days. Drip irrigation will be installed next month.

Update, elevated beds-seeded 9/29/10
Touchon and Danvers carrots,Bright lights Swiss chard, Golden globe beets, have germinated in south bed. Avon hybrid and Bloomsdale long standing spinach germinated but something ate the tender shoots. Will replant spinach seeds in a growing flat.

Mid-bed: Rocket arugula and Perfecto radishes are up and vigorously growing. Second leaves showing. Thumbelina carrots, no show, yet. Various scattered lettuce seeds germinated. Butter crunch, 4 seasons and green ice .

North bed: White bunching onions up. Broccoli Raab up. Leeks and chives not yet showing. Half bed saved for future lettuce and carrots.

Lower bed: Five seedling tomatoes...yellow pear, beefsteak, Roma, Celebrity and Solar fire. Companion plants, red onion sets , garlic chives, basil, sage. Saved outer spaces for future planting.

La Reina Baja cilantro planted here and there in other garden beds. Parsley planted amongst flowers. Started two seed flats of marigolds, which help almost every vegetable. Intend to plant them in all beds as soon as they leaf out.