Nature and Gardening

I had planted various fruit trees in the gaps of a nearby secondary forest that had been logged over years ago, and they were really growing well. Mainly jackfruit, engkala, pulasan, and a few smaller native fruit trees and shrubs where there wasn't as much space. Yesterday some people came and clear-cut that entire patch of forest (probably to plant grass), and there is now no sign that the fruit trees were ever there. The birds that used to perch in the trees over there seem very upset. Fortunately whoever cut down the forest hasn't been able to burn it yet due to all the rain, but it's only a matter of time.

I harvested 5 big jackfruits yesterday though, and I also recently received seeds of a strange funky fruit from a friend in the Amazon. We have no idea what it is, and Jim West can't tell from the photos that my friend sent to him either. There was a delay in getting the seeds here, but I stuck them in some soil two days ago, and they are already starting to sprout, so they seem like survivors!

If anyone knows what this is, please don't hesitate to comment.

Snap peas are so good. I spread a bunch of mixed wildflower seeds in the spring for the birds and insects, and they're growing well, along with some ferns and roses, but I'm not sure what most of them are. My bf doesn't like them in our planter box because they look "unkempt", but it's a little too late to mention that now.

Garden is really starting to get into the midsummer groove. First good harvest of tomatoes yesterday, more sorrel though it’s slowing down with the heat. Had a few small eggplants but hoping the next batch will grow bigger.

I planted Persian basil which seems to grow really well in my climate but all of the basil is growing well, along with my sweet potatoes.

Peppers are sizing up but not ripe yet. Ginger and water spinach still struggling for unknown reasons but I’m wondering if the soil in that area is compacted or something.

Finally, my pepino is growing like crazy and getting very large. But it’s been flowing for a while now and hasn’t made any fruit. If anyone has experience with this plant and has advice, let me know.

My herbs are doing well. My carrots and radishes are making greens, but no significant roots. My bush beans started out strong, but now the leaves are starting to rot.

The Hawthoria that I felt sorry for and brought home at a discount seems to be thivin and vibin.

My garden is doing well! I expanded the actual growing space this year at the cost of not growing as much as last summer. I'll start reaping the benefits in the fall though! I've got some green tomatoes growing, a new round of lettuces, and I've been harvesting some short day onions that have started flopping over. My cabbage heads are forming nicely, and I seem to have the aphids under control. It seems like the entire Pacific Northwest is suffering an aphid epidemic this year, UGH.