Inspiration #2: Mom and Dad

Here we are around 1966 I reckon. Mom and Dad have always encouraged me to do just about anything I wanted...within reason. One summer I got it into my head that I wanted to have a garden, perhaps after visiting Reed. I asked if I could turn this weedy rectangle out back into a garden. They said, "sure!" The goal was to turn over about 200 square feet. Pretty small bit, really. I worked and worked and only got blisters to show for it. But it was my first attempt and one thing gardeners know is that you learn from every failure. So thanks, Mom and Dad, for giving me the go ahead way back when. It was another significant moment on my journey toward my current obsession with plants.

Rooting Tomato

IMG_2262, a photo by Pike-uliar Gardenings on Flickr.

According to Mel Barthalomew of the Square Foot Gardening Cult ( yup, I said it!) you can and should cut off extra tomato branches to send strength to the main line and then you can root the branches and make another plant for a later harvest. Well, we shall see. It hurt me to cut these things off. Very sad.

One other thing, I loooove the smell of tomato leaves. Delicious.

Eggplant Looking Egg...Nope...Can't Do It.

IMG_2261, a photo by Pike-uliar Gardenings on Flickr.

I wonder why people don't grow more eggplant .Like tomatoes, they seem to do well here and squirrels can't eat them - too tough. Also - I think they are a great looking plant with interesting flowers. This year we went a little crazy and planted about 8 plants.

Here's the best eggplant tip ever courtesy of Toby (brother-in-law) - slice em up and grill them outside and then make homemade Baba Ganoush. It has a kind of smokey flavor that will make all other Baba bow.

Jalapenos

IMG_2256, a photo by Pike-uliar Gardenings on Flickr.

Peppers looking good. The Jalapenos seem to have a head start on the sweet peppers. I wonder how big they'll get.

The Problem with Mammoth Snow Peas

IMG_2259, a photo by Pike-uliar Gardenings on Flickr.

The problem with mammoth snow peas is that they are mammoth: 5-7 feet tall. When Bambi left for a work trip she left me vital instructions: "don't forget to eat all the snow peas." WEll, it sounds easy enough, but these guys are about 7 feet tall now and in a foot high raised bed which ...according to my calculations makes them 8 feet tall. So...picking them is not a simple matter, Nevertheless, I will endeavor to persevere.

Anti-Rabbit Fence

IMG_2247, a photo by Pike-uliar Gardenings on Flickr.

So I had been wondering what to do with some extra fencing I found on the road...and Mr. Bunny has given me a good reason to use it. Right now he might be able to make it through this, but not if he gets much fatter eating his ill gotten gains. This stuff was easy to set up and attach using a staple gun. Took about 15 minutes.

Naughty Bunny!

IMG_2251, a photo by Pike-uliar Gardenings on Flickr.

Here's the little guy posing for me. He's been mowing down carrot after carrot with impunity. One day, Mr. Bunny, I will have my revenge...nope, just kidding, but I will find your hole in the wall and plug it.

Rabbit Damage

IMG_2245, a photo by Pike-uliar Gardenings on Flickr.

Here's some evidence of rabbit incursions. He seems to prefer carrot tops to lettuce. This particular rabbit is very cute and also destructive. I am going to have to double check my fencing to find how he is getting in.

First Onion

IMG_2249, a photo by Pike-uliar Gardenings on Flickr.

The onions are pretty close together so we will be thinnning them out and eating them as we go. This one was pretty tasty with some eggs and potatoes. I think it will be a while before the rest of these guys fatten up. Best thing about onions - squirrels and bunnies don't eat 'em.