The early fall garden is growing really well despite the very dry conditions. Most of central and northern Indiana is experiencing a moderate drought. At least the temperatures have been cooler, which helps most of the fall plants in the garden. As long as I continue to water these plants, they should do well. Evaporation rates this time of year tend to decrease which helps out a lot. My garden did receive some much needed rain two days ago, although it was not nearly enough to break the drought. The heat loving plants like the peppers and tomatoes are still producing. I had one of the best tomato crops ever. I had so many Roma tomatoes that I stopped watering the plants, but they continue to push on new growth and new tomatoes. The peppers are also still producing, but I have watered them a little more. The mid to late summer planting of bush green beans starting producing around the second week of September with many more beans to come. The Rattlesnake pole beans continue to impress me with their constant production, despite not really being watered much. The early August planted seedlings of lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and kohlrabi are really starting to grow. In fact, I have many small heads of broccoli starting to form on most of the plants. I anticipate harvesting some of these heads in another week to ten days. I have been harvesting lettuce again for about a month now, with more to come. The Tango hybrid celery plants have grown just okay this year. I lost many of the plants due to black heart disease. This was probably due to the very hot and dry conditions. I still have three mature celery plants growing and have been harvesting stalks from them. The late July sown carrots are finally getting some good top growth. The brussels sprouts are starting to mature with a few plump sprouts showing up on a few of the stalks. I really enjoy gardening this time of year as the plants mature much slower which allows you to enjoy a fresh harvest over a longer period of time. The average first frost for central Indiana is fast approaching (usually around October 10th). The two week weather forecast is still showing slightly above normal temperatures with no signs of frost, but unfortunately, not much rain either. Happy Fall Gardening!!

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