I shut off the irrigation system and will drain it later.
I pumped out the hot tub, to be refilled with fresh water. While they recommend doing this every six months or so, it is the first time it has been done in the last 18 months. Morgan and Joyce used the tub while I was gone and they noticed the water was cloudy. I tested the water before I started pumping it out and the chemistry looked OK.
Early in the Summer, when the okra plants began to bear fruit, I decided to let one pod on each plant grow to maturity. Today, it appears the fruit bearing season is over, so I harvested these three pods. Following the instructions I found on-line, I will try planting these next Spring. The instructions stated:
For okra seed harvesting, the seed pods must dry on the vine and beginning to crack or split. At that point, you can remove the pods and split or twist them. The seeds will come out easily, so keep a bowl nearby. Since no fleshy vegetable matter clings to the seeds, you don’t need to wash them. Instead, dry the seeds in the open air for a few days, then store them in an airtight jar in the refrigerator. Although some okra seeds can remain viable for up to four years, many do not. It’s best to use collected okra seeds the next growing season. For best results, soak the seeds in water for a day or two before planting.
