Varmits, Varmits, Varmits

*Sigh* why is it that no one is safe from marauding animals? I know its a circle of life thing, but when you put your blood, sweat and tears into it, its so frustrating. My stalks of corn that tipped over are still growing, albeit at a weird angle. They are good and healthy and I think harvest is very soon. However when I was leaving for work this morning The Wife said "Uh oh, what's that on the corn stalk?" So I go running over like a fireman trying to save a child from a burning building, just in time to see the bushy tail of a member of Squirrel Squadron bolt from the stalk. He ripped open an ear and was munching away apparently. The corn looks really good inside as well, prompting me to think that I should do an emergency harvest today. My scouts inform me that there has been another raid while I was out working for The Man. Why God???? ;)

I don't have pics for all the progress, which is VERY significant from the last time, but I will get them up soon. Here is a pic I snapped of a cantaloupe. I didn't realize when I took it, but there is one twice its size hidden behind the leaves directly behind this one. There are many others. Hopefully they will make it.

The only fruits I have at the moment are these cantaloupes and tomatoes. Still waiting for the jalapenos to fruit but they have flowered. Carrots and potatoes are still small. Pumpkins and squash are flowering, same for the beans. Watermelon is still to small yet since I planted that in late June.

All looks promising. Considering a greenhouse for starters or leafy veg early or late in the season.

3 girls in a small room

I think I might have over-done it with the 3 sisters. In each mound - of which there are nine - was planted 4 corn, 4 beans, and 3 squash. Experienced squash growers are now laughing at me. Sooo much squash in such a limited space is presenting a big problem. I can't walk among the plants without trampling on the vines. The gate for the garden is, of course, on the side makes me have to walk though the sisters to get to the tomatoes and peppers (which are flowering nicely.)Need to remember to better lay that out next time with possibly 2 gates depending on where the early leafy veg goes vs. the fruits.

Also, since all 3 were planted at the same time, there is a bit of a fight for dominance. The beans are wrapping all the way up to the tops of the corn, before the ears are set. I've had to unwind them from the tassels a few times. Lower down where I succession planted some corn, the squash totally blocked them from the sun. Can't let that happen. I guess I will have to cull some vines to at least be able to walk without poking my eye out on the tomato cages.

I was doing some research and it turns out that Native Americans gave the corn a month before planting the beans and squash. They also alternated the squash, with one plant every other mound. Essentially meaning that I only can plant 3 squash in the same pattern as I have it now.

As much as this is all kind of an experiment for me, I don't want to re-invent the wheel. I have been reading on the whole set up so much that I feel like an expert, or could at least write a Wikipedia article on it. ;)