Starting pepper seeds is not my forte. Usually, I place several seeds in the soil and they never come up. During the spring, I got two El Toro pepper plants to survive. One is finally in bloom, and the other is stunted. The stunted one had to be shielded from the sun, which was taking it out fast. I used a piece of cardboard to protect it.
I love peppers and have never been able to produce the abundance I need. Dropping one or two seeds does not work for me, so I have adopted the "Julie Method." Last year, Julie, a family friend, took the seeds from an overripe commercial green pepper and planted them in a pot. A slew of seeds germinated. She shared some of her abundance with me. As I prepare for the next growing season, I am using the "Julie Method" for my peppers.
In the Yard Today
It is raining every day, so watering is no longer of dire importance.
Some bug is eating my Patio Baby eggplant. Just last week, a hornworm completely stripped two plants. Wouldn't you know it—the leaves started growing back.
Photos from the Yard
Yard Reflections
Here on the Yardstead, I try to grow what I like to eat, but it's not always easy fighting the heat, the pests, and even the rain.
It took me over 30 years to get a summer squash. I finally did it.