They're baaaack . . .

Only two inches of rain instead of the predicted 3-5, but it was more than enough to entice a return of the slugs. It's not as bad as earlier in the season, but I did kill 12-15. I also re-baited. They were focused mainly on the delicatas. Maybe because they are close to cover in the wood line, maybe because they are among the healthiest of the plants, maybe both.

I picked a nice sized eggplant yesterday, and have another one just about ready to go (bottom of the first plant on the left). There are also four or five more coming soon. Like the pepper plants, they really took advantage of the long, hot dry spell. Unlike the peppers (except for the two jalapeno plants that were loaded for bear), they actually also are producing, as well as growing well.

Most of the vine winter squashes are also trying to take advantage of the recent weather, with varying degrees of success. The butternuts are doing the best, with lush new foliage, and several new fruit buds about to open, but with the harvest moon just five weeks away (10/4), I just don't think that there will be enough time for them to develop. What a screwy year.

It also seems that the chamomile plants are done (except for a few smaller potted ones I stagger-planted. This was my first year with chamomile, and overall, it was not bad. From four plants, I got enough flower material to fill about half of a zip lock sandwich bag. Not sure how many cups of tea that will brew.