Friday

I've been very busy.When I grew the grass in the pines,I reckon I didn't think about mowing it,but it sure looks good.This fall I've got to do the other side of the pines,rake up everything and set it on fire and sow grass..I have been shaping all the trees in the pines,there are some pin oaks and maples and some white oaks.The weather is getting very hot here so have to work in the mornings or evenings,even though I still spend most of the day outside,doesn't matter how hot it gets,but I'm definitely moving much slower and spend a great deal of time watering.I went through yesterday and gave everything a shot of liquid miracle grow and I pulled all the suckers off the tomato plants.Ive got the confederate roses going.I've got one where I want it another in a flower bed and one planted in a pot and I'm babying them along.I will have one blooming by the fall of 2013...I started training a wisteria to grow in an arch from the fence to my composter.I'm hoping to make an opening into a garden there..More on that to come,that's a several year project that's just in the pencil and paper and my mind stage..Everyone have a wonderful Memorial Day and be safe..

Teucrium Hircanicum (Purple Tails)

This plant took a little time to I.D.I couldn't remember planting it..Its a very cool plant,no wilting,no pests.Was wintersown in 2009..2ft tall bushy.semi ever-green perennial with leaves that when crushed smell like sage..

Vegetable Garden Update III

Everything is coming on strong now,our weather has been decent,afternoon showers,highs in the 80s and 90s and you can almost see the garden growing now.And along with that comes the bugs,the dreaded mexican bean beetle is back and has took a liking to my pole beans,lol..Time for a declaration of war on him...I built my pole bean support,the beans are starting to climb..the bean plants before the support are all bush beans..The Toms are flowering and the squash is doubling in size daily.The pickle cukes are up and most have their true leaves.I have to go back on my notes and see if I planted a cucumber hill or if they are all pickle cukes.I can't remember,but will check the notes..

you can see the cabbage in the lower right corner..the fence posts are 10' apart so the garden is roughly 75' by 35'



Hibiscus Cutting Update III

Week 3 and its doing very good,still healthy and the roots are taking off now,its ready to plant.Our weather has turned hot and humid and I'm afraid the transplant would kill it so I'm gonna pot it up and take care of it this year and next spring I will put it out in the yard.I'm now gonna try and root some other plants this way.Im gonna try a butterfly bush and see if I have any success and another type of bush that I cant remember the name of but will get it I.D'd.I will keep updates on those as well every Monday..

Flowering Tomatoes

Nothing gives me hope as when I see the tomato plants begin to flower.I begin to think of all the goodness to follow.Did you know that not long ago,no one would venture to eat a tomato,they were thought to be poisonous.By the late 1800s people began to discover the many uses for them.I am always looking for new uses for them.This years uses will be homemade salsa,hot sauce,and jelly,yes that's right jelly,one of my favorite things to do with tomatoes is jelly,its a fruit and it makes great jelly.I can't forget to mention the tomato sandwich or the carrying of the saltshaker to the garden and feasting right there..This year Ive got a total of 52 tomato plants that were all wintersown,if you've read some of this blog then you know I'm a huge fan of wintersowing tomatoes.I started them at the beginning of March and left them on their own,no babying or codling.I didn't protect them from frosts,snows,Ice or rain,just let them be and they have turned out terrific. One of the types I'm growing is Rutgers,I grew it last year and liked it for canning.A lot of people refer to the Rutger's tomato as the Jersey Tomato.It was developed,I do believe in the 1930's by Rutger's University for Cambells soup company.I'm also growing Cherokee purple and Red Brandywine,Black Brandywine and a Paul Robeson, a sweet smokey black Russian tom I grew last year that I enjoyed.