Posted on July 27, 2021July 27, 2021Three cats on carrots There are now three Black Swallowtail caterpillars on my carrots
Posted on July 27, 2021July 27, 2021Some beans Left to right: vaquero, mbombo bush (disappointed at color, the original packet beans were like jade), and greasy grits pole beans.
Posted on July 23, 2021July 23, 2021Garden tomatoes on top, garden onions inside Potatoes on the side with cheese sauce. I asked what to call it and the Chef said “burrito-y thing”.
Posted on July 22, 2021July 22, 2021Right, nutrients I put some fertilizer in with the basils. I forget that indoor plants have no way of getting more.
Posted on July 22, 2021July 22, 2021Getting there on post-geothermal landscaping and other Wednesday news You can see where I plan to put Peruvian ground cherries (the tomato cages) and honeyberries (white flags) on the last raised bed in the side yard. Those four plants were dug up when the geothermal HVAC was put in. Ready to be planted! The buckwheat seeds I planted around them. I’ll take another pic in a day or two as it got too dark by the time I got done planting and watering them. Earlier in the day I noticed the bisbee gray cowpeas are producing nicely in backyard. One lone seedling of a Texas mallow is coming up! A native cucurbit with a very tiny gourd. Not edible or at least not good according to various sources. But it’s an adorable vine and quite pretty when a bunch grows in one spot.
Posted on July 22, 2021July 22, 2021Corn on the cob, third time’s the charm? Yesterday morning I picked half a dozen sweet corns and Wes buttered them up and roasted them in foil. The front one we threw out because of too few kernels from incomplete pollination. Steak and corn. While taking the husks out to the compost pile, I was relieved to see that my mysteriously dying frostweed is resprouting at the base. Steak, a roll, a baked potato, and corn. Very classic. Everything buttered up extra. It was pretty good but nothing to write home about. First year I picked way too late (hard and rubbery), last year didn’t pollinate, so I’m counting this as a win. After dinner, the Chef found this fine friend on the porch. The stealthy bagworm (a moth caterpillar). So invisible in its natural habitat of Rubbermaid tub lid! Here it was walking so you can see its head.
Posted on July 19, 2021July 19, 2021Sorted tomatoes from just today Bottom are tomatoes without blemishes, suitable for canning. Top are all the rest. Middle are white currant for snacking.
Posted on July 19, 2021July 19, 2021Harvest and pruning Surprise! A loofah gourd I didn’t plant has already reached the top of the trellis. Chard, mini bell peppers, and Chimayó peppers. The Chef found a cutworm in the chard. I found a big beautiful banana spider (Argiope) in the tomatoes while I harvested! I made sure not to bother her more. I finally determined the zucchini plant was a total loss to squash vine borers. I also made an executive decision to not let the very thriving white currant tomato plant shade out the moon and stars watermelon or the salvia or the rosemary. There’s only one plant and it’s a monster! I got over 900 g this evening alone. All tidy now. I hope the watermelon will do better now. I came inside to find this beautiful meal prepared by the Chef. Greens are chard from the garden and the bell pepper topping is mini bell peppers sliced. Yum. Nice and cool after working in the heat and humidity.
Posted on July 18, 2021July 18, 2021Uzbek golden carrot Pretty color inside and a good carroty taste!
Posted on July 18, 2021July 18, 2021Shy friend I was taking some seedling trays outside when I saw a big thing land on a log. It was an eyed click beetle!! I got a little too close and it ran (I didn’t know they were so fast) to the other side of the log.