ZBG Teaching Gardens Update: Water, Water, Melons, Melons

Here is what we were seeing this week in the teaching gardens Zilker Botanical Garden:

💦 We had to take the hose away from Anita because it felt like we couldn't get enough water on our gardens to deal with this record-breaking heat. The gardens have irrigation and we also get extra moisture from the Ollas. 

🍉 The melons are starting to take off. We are most excited about the Kajari melon and we hope we get to it before the wildlife.

🌱 We planted more cover crops of buckwheat and cowpeas to make sure we are protecting and providing nutrients to the soil.

🦗 Tomatoes are still ripening and this week we didn't see any stink bugs! We are using insecticidal soap and seaweed foliar spray. The seaweed is like a stress wrap and gives the plant nutrients it needs for growth.

🦎 Seeing some helpers including a baby anole lizard. Male anoles have a pink colored throat fan (called a dewlap), which is used in both territorial and courtship displays. They eat insects like grasshoppers, moths, grubs, and beetles.

We have lots of exciting things coming including in-person classes at the teaching gardens once a month on Saturday mornings. Planning and seed starting begins in August! We will be out there every Saturday until then tending through the summer. Join us!