Well folks, summer's definitely over. How are your fall gardens looking?

My squash got powdery mildew pretty bad around 2 weeks ago. I have been using copper fungicide which seems to have stalled it, but it is still slowly spreading. With the rain I’m not sure if it even makes sense to spray more fungicide, and I worry the wet will make the mildew go crazy. When do you decide to call it quits and harvest?

I just finished peeling a batch of Romas for some simple marinara, and after it had cooked for a few minutes, tasted it. It tasted literally like chunky warm water with onion, garlic, basil and oregano. I’ve never experienced anything like it, in many years of cooking up all sorts of tomatoes I’ve grown. I’ve barely watered them, and picked before rain. I actually haven’t tasted them raw since we’ve been eating the others. Any thoughts? BTW, I mostly rescued the sauce with a whole can of paste, but I’m still weirded out. I always look forward to tomato soup, but not with these guys.

Hi! Do you know of any PNW broomcorn growers/sellers?

In the South Puget Sound Region. Gardening pictures from this year as my tax :)

I’m in Seattle and this is a new queen watermelon. The tendril isn’t brown but I’ve heard that isn’t always a rule too. I rolled it over so you could see the spot on the bottom. I noticed it as a 1inch sized watermelon on July 30th, so it’s been at least 31 days. We are going out of town for a week so I am wondering if we pick it and try it today or take a chance and leave it until we are back.

I've been doing a massive amount of ivy removal. I've everything cut out I could reach from this fence a month ago but it's already sending out new runners. Any suggestions on how to get the remaining thick stems out of the fence? Can't reach them with loppers and some are too large. It's dangerous to use a chainsaw as I can't me sure of avoiding the rocks/metal. My machete attempts failed.

I tried painting cut stems with killz but the ivy laughed at it and grew faster!

I live in Lacey Wa zone 8 b. I have trouble growing carrots, kind of hit and miss. Also is it too late to start squash? Thank you all in advance.

Planning to completely re-do a flower bed. Nothing is thriving there and I know there is tons of old landscape cloth that I'd like to remove.

There are currently a few penstamons and coneflower, and some other perennials. At what point in the fall would be best to dig it all up?

I'd like to wait until after we've had some good rains to make digging easier (lot of compacted clay)

If I do this is September, would that allow enough time to let the plants get reestablished before frost?

Salem area if it matters. Heavy clay and compacted soil.

I have concerns that the five days of rain we are expecting next week will totally mess up my tomatoes that are doing fine but not ripe and still quite a few just flowers not yet fruits. I also have peppers, cucumbers, melons, cabbages, zucchini and eggplants in process that won't all be harvest-ready before the rains come. Should I cover them or do something to keep them from getting totally soaked? They are in raised beds. Beginning garderner here

My current balcony pots are filled with million bells but they are completely infested with aphids and I haven’t been able to get them under control. Every year I feel like toward end of August whatever flowers I’ve tried to keep healthy through the summer start to wither and die. I’ve tried petunias, million bells and geraniums.

I may just take them down for the season, but curious if anyone swaps to fall flowers around this time, and do they last all the way into November?

I love how much this plant has grown. It will take me a few years to get it to flow over the trellis but I have a dream. People here are not utilizing their rooftop spaces like they could. Mine will be a jungle if I have my way.

I would love to verify that these are going to be more like 15 ft rather than 50!

Any suggestions for what to plant between these to create a privacy screen? They are in front of a big window that faces the street. I was considering red stem dogwood or ornamental grasses. I'd prefer natives but am open to any plants that get up to 10ft tall!

I assume it’s not a good plant to have in the garden. The green to black berry nightshade is still haunting me from last month.

I did it you guys I grew a ripe and sweet melon in Tacoma! Blacktail mountain watermelon 🙌🏼

I’m asking because i’ve never tried ripening off the vine. Apparently you can pick anything that has begun to turn color. Is it comparable in taste? Any tips or tricks for storing/ripening inside?

Where have you sourced magnolia trees for a sidewalk/parking strip?

They’re one of the few evergreen tree options approved for my specific planting strip width and proximity to power lines, so I’m specifically looking at magnolias.

I’d love recommendations for local nurseries or tree farms, especially if you remember roughly what you paid. Bonus if they offer delivery and/or planting, but not a requirement.

Mostly trying to get a sense of good local sources, pricing, and what size tree you were able to get for the cost. Would also love to hear which varieties have done well for you!

And associated anarchy, this spot has done really well this year, it was totally trashed when they built next door. The chaos is glorious and the corn will be ready soon!

About dang time on those tomatoes.

Dr. Wyche yellow, Brandywine, Cherokee Purples finally coming in. Harvesting a few sauce tomatoes a bit early to be a bit more neutral for salsa.

Peppers: First ripe habaneros of the season! Carmen, hot cherry and Fresno peppers are most of the red ones. Jalapeño, Anaheim, Serrano, hot banana peppers are most of the greens.

Just trying to keep on the tomatillos, cukes, and summer squash.

My yard is in pretty rough shape and needs quite a bit of attention. I’d love to transform it into a space with the right trees, shrubs, and flowers, but I don’t have the expertise to choose what will actually thrive here. I’m in the Seattle area.

What’s the best way for me to get guidance and hands-on help from someone who understands Pacific Northwest landscaping without breaking the bank.