Pumpkin and turnip

While my parents have been growing orchids for decades, my father only started growing vegetables this year and has been very successful so far.

Recently the pumpkin plants produced lots of little fruits and he had assumed they would grow big like the ladys fingers and brinjals in his garden. He was puzzled when the fruits started falling off until mum told him about manual pollination.

He started pollinating the flowers manually and now we have many big pumpkins in the yard. To be honest, I didn't believe in manual pollination in the past. We never had trouble before but now I recognise that we need to give our plants a little help from time to time. I guess we don't have as many garden helpers (the birds and the bees) like before.

I'm using my phone to give you an idea of how big the pumpkin is.

CH gave me two turnips to grow in the garden. One of them is doing very well. This is the first time I've seen a turnip plant. I like the shape of the leaf!

Dad has been growing lots of mustard green lately. I must say the vegetables are very pretty to look at but not many people can appreciate the bitter taste. I'm surprised bugs like them!