In the Garden

One of my goals is to make better use of the garden this year.  I decided we could pop into the garden once a week to keep me focused and accountable.

I am having almost no luck with the pepper seeds I planted.  Only the fish pepper seeds have sprouted.  The funny thing is that these are the oldest seeds.  I planted fish peppers several years ago and then lost the seeds I saved.  I found them when we moved and surprisingly they are growing well.

We took advantage of a warm day to clean up the garden area.  W moved the compost pile into the garden so it will be more convenient.  He tore apart some raised beds that were rotting or not working out well.  The garden looks very, very sad right now.

Over the weekend we had some cold weather (for the South) with a low one night of 22 degrees.  That explains the dead eggplant in the picture above.  Garden peas grow well even in the cold temperatures.  This variety is called Tom Thumb and is a compact plant.  I planted radish and kale seeds between the rows of garden peas.  Those are not sprouting yet though.

I did some experimenting this year by planting lemongrass and pineapple plants into the dirt rather than just in pots.  I covered the lemongrass with some plastic.  It came through the cold okay.

I did nothing to the pineapple plants.  They are planted under the shelter of large oak trees which provided some protection. Still I am quite please that they had no damage.

I will continue to plant these around the edge of the fence - maybe on both sides.  Once spring arrives I will plant some flowers between and around them to make better use of the space.  

Quick Garden Update

My poor, neglected garden continues to do well.  I have been watering it as our temps are hovering around 100 degrees with a heat index of 106-110 degrees.

The eggplants are starting to bloom.  They were added in at the last minute, but I hope to harvest a few before the season is over.

My tiny orange tree has a few blooms.  I am not sure if it will actually hold any oranges though.

The discounted Gerbera daisy is growing well and has its first bloom.

I had almost given up on the Armenian cucumbers producing this year.  They were loaded with blooms and visited by bees but did not seem to be putting on any cucumbers.  I guess they were just off to a later start as I saw a small cucumber this week.

 

My little potted herb area is working out very well.  In the front right you can see two of W's avocado plants.  In the front left is one that was repeatedly dug up by the squirrels, but it has sprouted back out.

Garden Update

First a reminder of what the pumpkins looked like about two weeks ago

Here they are now.  I think you will agree they have grown a bit.

Succulents

I adore succulents.  Not only are they cool looking.  They are also tough plants.  They do not mind hot, dry, humid summer weather.  I saw a succulent dish garden  on Pinterest.  I knew I wanted one.  I had the succulents courtesy of a friend.  I found a shallow dish in the form of a plastic pot bottom turned bird feeder that the birds never liked.  It had been sitting in a corner of the yard.  I was happy to find a good use for it.  Since it already had holes drilled in the bottom, I only needed to add the dirt, plants, and rocks. 

Mine is not as full as the example.  I think that is a good excuse to go shopping for a few more succulents.  Don't you agree?

Don't Cry Over Spoiled Milk

Okay I know the saying is spilled milk, but spoiled milk is pretty bad too.  I had an entire half gallon of spoiled milk.  Considering the price of milk that is enough to make anyone a little teary eyed.  I have something else though . . . . . . . . . tomato plants!!

Milk is great for tomato plants.  They love calcium and need it for healthy tomatoes.  Have you ever had tomatoes that rotted on the bottom end while on the plant?  They were deficient in calcium.  Anytime I have spoiled milk, I give it to the tomato plants.  The extra calcium at this stage will help the plants when it is time for the tomatoes.  While I was a bit annoyed at the spoiled milk, I was happy it did not go to waste.

Pineapple Plant

My husband helped me move two pineapple plants recently in our "new to us" pots.  Earlier this week we noticed something happening with one of the plants.

We looked a bit closer with anticipation.  This is our oldest pineapple plant and is a bit over two years old.

We suspect this is the beginning of our first homegrown pineapple!!

I will take updated pictures and share as things progress.  I just planted another pineapple top  yesterday and have two more rooting in the kitchen window.  We love fresh pineapples and I see the plant as a bonus.

Fall Garden

I am blessed that my area allows me to have spring and fall gardens. I am even happier that I have been growing the fall garden organically this year. Everyone told me that I could not grow many of my vegetables without pesticides. I am thrilled that I have not had to use a single drop and my plants are thriving!

These tomato plants are actually the spring plants. I have babied them and trimmed back the dead growth. I am being rewarded with more tomatoes. If the weather stays mild, I will have a good second harvest.

This eggplant is also left from the summer. I honestly do not know why I plant them. No one really likes them. I think this will be my last year. Hopefully I can find someone to give this to so it will not go to waste.

We have been eating quite a few cucumbers from the three plants I have. We have never had homegrown cucumbers in October before. I think they are better than the spring cucumbers.

The zucchini are looking good but growing very slowly. I hope to get at least three from these plants. I have eaten all of the cranberry-zucchini muffins from the freezer. They were so yummy, and I cannot bear not having them again until next spring.

Last are these yellow squash. They will actually be half yellow and half green when ready. They are growing very, very slowly. I do not know how much longer I can hold out before I pick them.

This past weekend I planted lettuce and carrot seeds. I also planted the greenhouse tomato and pepper seeds. I am trying to get three gardens this year by growing some vegetables in my greenhouse over the winter.

Garden Update

I decided it would be easier for now to post my garden pictures in my regular blog. Maybe next year I will be more on track to keep up with the gardening blog. For now one is enough. Here are some new garden pictures. Everything is really growing!

Rattlesnake Watermelon

(So far thankfully I have seen no actual rattlesnakes)

Cantaloupe

Gourd

(for fall decorating)




Pumpkin
(a regular orange pie pumpkin)

Lumina Pumpkin

(For decorating because I think white pumpkins are neat)

Celebrity Tomatoes

Yellow Pear Cherry Tomatoes

Jalapeno Pepper

Banana Pepper

Tomatillo

(I love that they look like paper lanterns!)