The garlic did pretty well. Very happy with it. I planted about 8 cloves in the front yard....yup...I said front. The only bad thing is the ground out there is so hard due to the drought and extreme heat that it is very hard to dig up. Next year, I will be planting these things in the raised beds.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Glowing Potatoes
We are getting tons of potatoes as well. I am digging them up as needed, though Bambi has suggested I dig them up all at once. The thing is, when I dig them up...they always look fresh, but when I store them...they start aging.
Super pepper!
Yup...loads of peppers out there. Now I am kind of waiting to see if they turn red. I heard the red ones have more nutritional value. I think I did see a jalepeno going a bit red this morning. Never knew they did that!
Black Eyed Susans
These guys just get bigger and bigger and bigger. I never water them. They spread and feed the birds for me. The ones out front are doing ok, but not quite as well as these due to the extreme sun in the afternoon. I have a plan to spread them all over the front...but it is going slowly.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Cucumber Succeeding...So Far
Cucumber is doing quite well here. They are in a pretty good bed - sun in the AM, shade in the PM which is what I've heard plants want. I feel the same way sometimes. Anyway, they are overwhelming a serrano pepper here and some lemon verbena which I suppose I should move. Hmmmm...
The seeds for the cukes were quite old so it was nice to get some plants. Some animal seems to enjoy pinching off or eating the flowers, but I think a few cukes are making it. We planted them years ago as well...but they were overwhelmed by some insect, so we took a break. Hopefully, we will get a few cucumbers and we will have found another squirrel and bunny immune crop.
The seeds for the cukes were quite old so it was nice to get some plants. Some animal seems to enjoy pinching off or eating the flowers, but I think a few cukes are making it. We planted them years ago as well...but they were overwhelmed by some insect, so we took a break. Hopefully, we will get a few cucumbers and we will have found another squirrel and bunny immune crop.
Volunteer Sunflowers
Didn't plant these guys, but I like 'em. So do the finches...and bees...and sometimes the squirrels will take a flower or two. This year they have stayed away, perhaps because this guy is so close to the doorway and walkway. We had about 10 sunflowers last year, so it is hard to believe that only two seeds made it. If you want any seeds from these popular plants, you will need to put a paper bag over the head at some point -least that's what I have heard.
My nephew and niece in Seattle recently fooled their dad by secretly planting a bunch of sunflowers around the garden. They popped up and stole all of the sun (what little there is in WA) from the veggies. Poor Toby! So...if you have kids, and you garden..,control your supply of sunflower seeds.
My nephew and niece in Seattle recently fooled their dad by secretly planting a bunch of sunflowers around the garden. They popped up and stole all of the sun (what little there is in WA) from the veggies. Poor Toby! So...if you have kids, and you garden..,control your supply of sunflower seeds.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Why Grow Your Own - Reason #1
This here is a list of ingredients from an elementary school lunch. Look what we are feeding children. Michael Pollen said if your grandparents wouldn't recognize it as food, you probably shouldn't eat it. Oh...and by the way, this is the "recipe" for peanut butter + jelly.
By the way, one of the funny details about this PB Jamwich Thing, aside from all the ingredients, is that it has NO CRUST. Yup. Bread without crust...it's like fruit without seeds...oh wait, I think we make that, too. Here's the thing. Crust is an essential part of the whole bread making process. Just like seeds are a natural and essential part of fruit. So getting rid of it is just plain weird. Will we raise a whole generation of kids who can't eat crusts?
By the way, one of the funny details about this PB Jamwich Thing, aside from all the ingredients, is that it has NO CRUST. Yup. Bread without crust...it's like fruit without seeds...oh wait, I think we make that, too. Here's the thing. Crust is an essential part of the whole bread making process. Just like seeds are a natural and essential part of fruit. So getting rid of it is just plain weird. Will we raise a whole generation of kids who can't eat crusts?
Still Life with Onions and Peppers...and deer skull
Yep - that is a deer skull. A good friend gave me that years ago. Squirrels and other varmints have whittled down the antlers for some reason. All of 'em are perched atop the rain barrel which is why there is chicken wire underneath.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Grass to Greens: Edible Landscapes
It's an idea that is big and getting bigger. Lose the lawn and plant things that look good and are edible. You can see a little of it in my neighborhood and I think it is really catching on in various cities. Not everyone has time for the set up and the learning curve involved, so it's great to see businesses dedicated to helping people make the switch from lawn to food. Grass to Greens in Asheville, NC is one such business. If you are in the Asheville area, check them out.
Enchanted Eggplant Forest
How many eggplants can you find in the enchanted eggplant forest? Click on the pic to see a picture with their locations revealed.
Yup...we may have overplanted. This bed also has a bunch of peppers and broccoli...all of which seem to be immune to bunnybirdsquirrel attack.We planted three kinds of eggplant - regular, japanese, and rosa bianca. So I better start finding some good eggplant recipes.
Flowers from Reed Franklin
A kind of smaller flowered black-eyed susan. They are from my cousin's yard and are doing well...aside from a bunny attack on one which killed it. I have two plants left, doing well. I am hoping they spread and prosper as a living memorial to Reed. They are great plants for feeding birds...especially finches which seem to have evolved to eat these things - their coloration is perfect for hiding in black eyed susan beds. They even have a black dot on the top of their heads that mimics the dark center of the flower.
At times, I have cut off the seed heads, but recently I heard (from Mike McGrath's excellent podcast) that leaving the seedheads on longer can help birds even more. Even if you don't like watching birds, they are good for eating bugs that might attack plants.
At times, I have cut off the seed heads, but recently I heard (from Mike McGrath's excellent podcast) that leaving the seedheads on longer can help birds even more. Even if you don't like watching birds, they are good for eating bugs that might attack plants.
Harvest Time!
Got just one zucchini. Squirrels and birds keep stealing the blossoms. But I dug up just one tiny corner of the potato bed and got a bunch of potatoes. There were a surprising number of white potatoes which were just some grocery store potatoes that I planted. The onion here is a red onion from the Maine potato lady. Both potatoes and onions are good since they are immune to attack from bird, bunny, and squirrel.
I am leaving the bulk of the potatoes in the ground until needed. I feel like I heard or read that they will store better in the ground than in the house. We shall see. Oh...one more thing. I let the potatoes flower. I did a little investigating and found mixed benefits to pinching off the flowers. One source suggested you might get 10% greater yield which isn't much and so I figured, why not see the flowers and let the bees have a little pollen.
I am leaving the bulk of the potatoes in the ground until needed. I feel like I heard or read that they will store better in the ground than in the house. We shall see. Oh...one more thing. I let the potatoes flower. I did a little investigating and found mixed benefits to pinching off the flowers. One source suggested you might get 10% greater yield which isn't much and so I figured, why not see the flowers and let the bees have a little pollen.
Tomato Roots Growing
I cut off two tomato branches and tried to root them in a glass of water. Got the idea from Square Foot Gardening. One died, the other, plum tomato pictured here, made it and is now planted in the garden. Free tomato plant!
Monday, July 9, 2012
Guest Photographer
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA, a photo by Pike-uliar Gardenings on Flickr.
We took a trip a while back, and one of our neighbors decided he should take some pictures of our front yard as it was blooming. He didn't want us to miss anything. I was glad because, once again, I had forgotten to get any pics of the blooming cactus. Thanks Michael!
The prickly pear cactus is native to the Virginia and mid-atlantic area and bees love it. It is easily propagated by just removing a leaf (?) and placing wherever you'd like a new cactus. In fact, I recently sent my nephew, Ian, a few leaves across the country via the USPS and I think he is trying to get them to start in a pot.
At the very bottom is a Yucca in bloom. Also native.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
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.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Rooting Tomato
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.
One other thing, I loooove the smell of tomato leaves. Delicious.
Eggplant Looking Egg...Nope...Can't Do It.
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.
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
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
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.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Anti-Rabbit Fence
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!
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
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
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.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Inspiration #1: Reed Franklin
This weekend, I attended a memorial service for my cousin, Reed Franklin. Reed passed away this past Fall and I miss him deeply. Reed inspired me in so many ways, but I will focus on only one here. I looked up to Reed a great deal and one Summer, he worked at Sweet Briar College's Greenhouse. His boss was Sally Boley, a very kind soul. Watching Reed's intent interest and concern for growing things had a profound impact on me. I think my interest in plants began then and, like many things inspired by Reed, it has stayed with me my whole life and has been a source of constant enrichment. Without Reed, I would not be who I am today. Thank you so much, Reed.
Cherries!
We have gotten quite a few cherries this year. In the past, the birds were ahead of us, but this time, I outfoxed the birds. Many of the berries were quite high and so I learned why my wife kept advising me to prune and keep this guy short. Next year....next year.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Strawberry Harvest #4
Just when you think it's safe to go out in the garden, they drag you back in...for strawberry picking.
Good NPR story on strawberries which answers the question - why so big, red, and flavorless?...among others: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/05/17/152522900/the-secret-life-of-californias-world-class-strawberries .
Good NPR story on strawberries which answers the question - why so big, red, and flavorless?...among others: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/05/17/152522900/the-secret-life-of-californias-world-class-strawberries .
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Strawberry Harvest #3
When will it end? After getting all these, we found a bunch more in the back yard.
Tomato, Bent, and Buried
This tomato has been bent and buried as suggested by Mel Bartholomew in his book, Square Foot Gardening. I don't like everything in that book, but thought I'd try his idea for increasing tomato root mass. You dig a smal trench, then place the tomato plant in the trench on its side. Bend the top end of the plant to stick out of the ground and then fill the rest in. The part sticking out will straighten up and the buried parts will generate additional root mass thus providing the tomato with even more water and nutrition. So far, so good. I did this with only two plants so we can see if it makes any difference.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Strawberry Harvest #2
Yup, there's more. These ones had even fewer nibbles than the last ones. Not sure what takes the bites - slugs...rodents...birds. But they leave plenty of unchewed ones for us and most of the marks are pretty small so we just cut em out and eat. I think there are even more in the front yard.
To be honest, there are so many, I kind of lose patience with picking them. Luckily B is always eager to pick a fresh batch and seems to delight in filling up the bowl with fresh, free berries.
To be honest, there are so many, I kind of lose patience with picking them. Luckily B is always eager to pick a fresh batch and seems to delight in filling up the bowl with fresh, free berries.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Top Ten Ways to Tell You are Obsessed with Compost
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| Loose Leaf Tea (Jasmine) Before Becoming Compost |
9) You make eating decisions based on type of compost produced. Mmmm...that bananna/tea/coffee would taste delicious - and make great compost.
8) You make purchasing decisions based on resulting compost.
7) You require...I mean request that your wife bring home tea bags and apple cores from work.
6) You compost your own hair. Is that gross? I think not.
5) On weekends, when the crazy jogger buys a carton of eggs and eats them all raw right out of the shell and leaves them on the sidewalk, you just smile and think, "mmmm...compost."
4) When spending a weekend with friends at a beach house, you force them to compost.
3) You start switching from bag tea, to loose leaf tea because it tastes good, but really you are thinking, "mmmm...better compost."
2) You start singing songs in your head that start off, "every molecule is precious, every cell a star..." while scraping off the tiniest sliver of garlic skin and dropping it into the compost bin.
1) After being quite sick for a while, you run into a neighbour and he jokes, "wow, you looked pretty rough the other day. I thought we would just have to cover you with mulch and add you to the garden" and you say, "mmmmmm....good compost."
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Box O' Taters
Filled a whole box with red fingerlings from the Maine Potato Lady. There are also a few odds and ends from the ole potato drawer that were ready for action. Might even be some sweet potato that made its way in the box. It will be interesting to see what we get.
First Strawberry
The first strawberries are starting to come in. This one looks a little like a heart. Strawberry is pretty much the perfect plant. Doesn't need much water, plants itself - all over if you let it, tastes great, looks great. ONly downside is the little birds or bugs or whatever it is that nibbles them now and then. I pick em just a bit before they are totally ripe, when I remember, and that seems to help. But truthfully, after having these things for a few years, we have so many we can lose a few.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Drip Irrigation Cut-Off Valve
So I must admit, my drip irrigation installation project has been a bit...ummm..over-enthusiastic and poorly planned. I keep learning as I go, and just jamming stuff together. I have come a long way from last year when I was obsessed about measuring everything. When I was placing the 1/4 inch lines I was just eyeballing all the dimensions. As a result there is a lot of irregularity. Oh well.
One thing I learned is that it is reasonably easy to set up every bed with its own cut-off valve. I have separate 1/2 inch tube running into each bed and the cut-off valve is right up on top and easy to use. Had one of those classic moments when I first turned it on, called Bambi to come watch and nothing happened. I stood waiting for a few momemts before I realized the cut-off valve was in the Off position...whoops!
The valve shown above is a little harder (But not too bad) too install than another one carried by Irrigation Direct. The other one costs a bit more and is also much easier to take apart according to their site.
One thing I learned is that it is reasonably easy to set up every bed with its own cut-off valve. I have separate 1/2 inch tube running into each bed and the cut-off valve is right up on top and easy to use. Had one of those classic moments when I first turned it on, called Bambi to come watch and nothing happened. I stood waiting for a few momemts before I realized the cut-off valve was in the Off position...whoops!
The valve shown above is a little harder (But not too bad) too install than another one carried by Irrigation Direct. The other one costs a bit more and is also much easier to take apart according to their site.
Music for Seedlings Program 2012 Season
Sure, why not. Music helps seeds, right? Todays concert included mostly "Classic Rock." In the foreground you can see: drip irrigation, onions, carrots, and maybe some lettuce. Supposedly they are all good companions.
Anti-Squirrel Tactic #6
So, I was planting some seeds and thinking about how the squirrels will do their best to mess up the new seeds because they can't resist the siren song of freshly turned over earth. And then it hit me...oh...so you love freshly turned over dirt, eh? Mwa ha ha ha...I'll get you my pretty...here's some nice freshly dug up dirt just looking soooo enticing. And guess what...no seeds are planted there. That's right - decoy dirt. Come and get guys!
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Drip Irrigation Dripping
MVI_2152 a video by Pike-uliar Gardenings on Flickr.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Irrigation Time!
Here's the project for the weekend: installing drip line irrigation. I got this from Irrigation Direct after evolving over the years from sprinklers to soaker hoses. I got so frustrated with soaker hoses because they were watering inconsistently, watering the wrong places, getting clogged up, etc etc.
So far, it is pretty easy to install. I am using a box cutter to cut the line and then you can just attach all the tube and fittings by hand. It is well designed for easy assembly. You can order a variety of kits that come with all the things you might need but don't know about yet. Here's my HOT tip for what you need: you will need one T coupling and one elbow coupling for each of your beds...and possibly one cut off valve for each as well. So when ordering see what the kit comes with and add some extra depending on your number of beds. This will allow you to place 1/2 inch mainline tubing in each bed and then your 1/4 inch drip lines can hook up with the mainline.
One cool thing about Irrigation Direct is that they have "how to" videos for all of their equipment. That is essential!
So far, it is pretty easy to install. I am using a box cutter to cut the line and then you can just attach all the tube and fittings by hand. It is well designed for easy assembly. You can order a variety of kits that come with all the things you might need but don't know about yet. Here's my HOT tip for what you need: you will need one T coupling and one elbow coupling for each of your beds...and possibly one cut off valve for each as well. So when ordering see what the kit comes with and add some extra depending on your number of beds. This will allow you to place 1/2 inch mainline tubing in each bed and then your 1/4 inch drip lines can hook up with the mainline.
One cool thing about Irrigation Direct is that they have "how to" videos for all of their equipment. That is essential!
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Scarecrow
Here's the latest Scarecrow by Contech. I had to bust this out after the rodents went all crazy on our most recent carrot and lettuce seedlings. Now they will know true justice!
Fields of Sedum
The sedum has expanded quite a bit and now produces many, many flowers. I have never seen any bugs eating it, though. Nevertheless, it is quite attractive.
Luring the Good Guys
Flowers will bring on all the friendly insects and birds we need to have the most productive garden in the land. Also, Ms. B. likes them and that counts for quite a bit.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Free Pea Trellis!
Found this fencing on the side of the road in Arlington. I needed about 24 feet or so. I took about 100 feet. Couldn't help myself. I am sure I will think of something to do with it.
I am using this bit here to support snap peas and snow peas. Last year I used chicken wire which was fine, but this stuff was a smidge easier to work with.
I am using this bit here to support snap peas and snow peas. Last year I used chicken wire which was fine, but this stuff was a smidge easier to work with.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
I am a Squirrel I'm Going to Eat Your Peas
MVI_2122 a video by Pike-uliar Gardenings on Flickr.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Drip and Soak; Bellevue, WA Irrigation Guide
Monday, March 26, 2012
Dogwood "Petals"
So Dogwood flower petals aren't really flower petals. They are just leaves that change color to capture the attention of passing insects. Kind of a cool and innovative adaption. The real flowers are the small spherical things at the center. This is the first year I noticed how the leaves go through a light green transition phase before becoming white "petals."
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