Looking good up there! I was worried after 4 days away, but nature seems to do her thing regardless. Sorry some of your sprouts got munched on. Hopefully you have enough time to get some more going!
Basil and tomatoes--doesn't get much better! I always find those homegrown or farmers market jalapenos hit or miss. You can get one that is mild as can be, then the next one will light your tongue on fire! Always a good crop to have, though. Our cukes are still climbing away with hardly a fruit in sight, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for more pickles myself.
Hope you get some rain to refill the barrel!
Oh yes!
I an not too upset about the sprouts as the garden has to be part of the ecosystem too right? They would have had much more to eat had they let the sprouts grow!
My soil has been fantastic for hot peppers. I make sure to churn up the soil from last year, add compost and topsoil and chicken manure to it. Makes for potentially a little more acidic soil and even my jalapenos are fire!
It really all starts with the soil! I think we need to do a little work amending ours for next year after the season is over. After so many years planting in the same beds, they could probably use a little extra TLC even though we try to rotate crops. :)