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Clematis In My Garden

Your home has a lovely entrance way.

I really like clematis.  It is one of the few non-producing plants I have in my yard.  You can't eat it, it doesn't have a fragrant scent, and the blooms are not conducive to flower arrangements.  They are, however, very adept at climbing things like mailboxes and trellises. The star like flowers are strikingly beautiful and abundant.  My Granny always has a clematis in her garden, so I keep one for sentimental reasons. 


My clematis is in the corner of my herb garden where the garage meets the shed.  It's been there for two years and is doing very well, although there does seem to be a rectangular gap at the base of the plant where no vines care to grow.  The pine straw beneath this area is tamped down which makes it appear to be an entrance way.  Curiosity demanded a closer inspection, so I carefully crouched down among my delicate herbs to have a good look, and there scratched in the metal of my trellis are crudely written words.  It says "The O'Possums."  Stay tuned to find out more.

Memories and Mysteries

Can you figure out what this is?


When I was between the ages of 3 and 5 my mother would occasionally visit one of our elderly neighbors.  I don't recall her name, or what we did there, but I do remember eating one of the most delicious things I had ever had in my short life.  It was the kind of taste one's palette is so blow away by that you remember the moment your mouth first experience such joy. 

We moved away when I was 5, and I did not have one of these delicacies again for another 23 years. 
Apparently my parents did not share in my enthusiasm for this mystery fruit because the never purchased one or mentioned them in all that time.  I thought about the taste over the years, but I had no idea what I had eaten.  The grocery stores I frequented didn't often vary their stock, so I was limited in what I was able to try. 

I moved to Roanoke, VA when I was 28 and it changed my life.  One day while shopping in the local Kroger I noticed something new and different in the produce department.  The sight of this delicate, greenish, teardrop shaped fruit stirred something in me.  Grocery budget be damned I had to have some of these.  When I arrived home I immediately released my purchase from its protective plastic box.  The soft yielding flesh further encouraged me that I had at last found the taste of a childhood memory.  I cut it in half and revealed the pleasantly repulsive insides which resemble something between guts and a flower.  In the first bite I felt the release of a childhood longing.  Something I had been searching for all my life, a sweet connection to my past.  The delicious fig.

Bird On A Wire Make A Difference

What a difference a day makes!

Yesterday

Today

The race for first bloom is over, and the winner is the yellow Sunsprite!  I was almost certain John F. Kennedy would win this one, but the Sunsprite quickly came up from behind and took the first place slot.  The other contestants are doing well, and I hope to have pictures soon.  


Who is making all that noise?

For the past few days I have been hearing the sweet sound of baby birds coming from my neighbors bushes.  There are a lot of robins around, so I just assumed one of the frequent visitors to my lawn had made a nest next door.  Today I was pleased to discover this blackbird diligently feeding the well hidden babies.  I enjoyed watching her dance down the wire which led right to her nest.  Her family is usually quiet, but as she inches down the line their hungry cries intensify.  She was not happy with my presence in the area, but I did manage to get a picture.  I look forward to photographing the babies when they are ready to see the world.

Early Arrivals Relocated

I'm Sorry You Can't Live There Anymore

My butterfly herb garden is very young.  It is full of dill, cilantro, fennel, and parsley that I grew from seeds.  I don't exactly have a "green thumb" yet, so things under my care sometimes require a little more time to get going, if they get going at all.  These plants are small, so they need time to establish themselves before they will be ready for the butterflies.  It seems either the butterflies do not care if their offspring have enough to eat or the baby caterpillars know how to pace themselves against the time it will take for their host plant to provide more leaves. The caterpillar shown in  my post, "Little Things Eat A Lot," has been growing and eating more everyday while my little plant disappears.  I also discovered two more caterpillars getting ready to make quick work of a few other herbs.

Not willing to lose my tender charges so early I decided to evict the caterpillars from their chosen squats.  As cruel as it sounds I just don't want to watch my plants get eaten before they have a chance.  Now all three caterpillars are living in my house safely inside their mesh butterfly tent.  For their dining pleasure I will provide dill from the plants that can spare it.  They are growing fast, so look for more updates on their progress.

Frankly Mr. I Have Had Enough!

I Thought We Were Friends.

The local cat I was once a fan of may have worn out his welcome.  Where I previously appreciated his ability to deter the insidious rats from coming around my house, I now only see his slovenly and disrespectful ways.  I was once willing to allow his occasional deposits in my garden.  And yes, I know this is gross, but I remove them promptly and I was sure that once my plants took over the space he would leave.  On Sunday morning however, I was shocked into shame to discover how kitty had made efforts toward destroying my weakest eggplant. I cannot abide this senseless destruction.

The challenge now is how to quickly and easily make this area unattractive to the cat.  I love cats, and I am not out to hurt him, but as far as I'm concerned it's his business if he wants to take a sniff or two of red pepper powder.  This was actually my neighbors recommendation.  It seems like a logical, inexpensive way to keep the feline at bay. 


Yesterday evening I sprinkled a moderate amount of red pepper powder from my spice cabinet all over the raised bed my foe has taken to wrecking.  Today I can report there were no overnight incidents.  Of course this does not mean he won't come back, and I will need to re dust frequently, but hopefully he will get the message.  Look for an update.

I Can't Beelieve We Made It!

Been Here Before?

This bee spent part of his morning embracing my fence.  He actually looks like he would give a good hug, but that is not something I am willing to try.  It appears his wings are damaged, but he did not hang around for more than an hour.  Once my son and our dog came out to play some of the more cautious creatures headed for calmer havens. 




Looks Like We Made It

When I decided to plant a rose garden I knew I had to have a Knockout Rose.  My neighbor has one and it had blooms on it from April to November!  I put the word out that I was looking for some and about two months ago I acquired a pair from a family friend who no longer wanted them in their yard.  My knowledgeable neighbor warned me the plants would probably go into shock. They were out of the ground for a few days and were in rough shape, but I was happy to have them for free.  My spouse was kind enough to plant them for me and I commenced watering and feeding. I am thrilled to report my two months of dedication have finally paid off and I have new growth!  These bushes are far from being healthy, thriving plants, but I think we are out of the woods.  I look forward to posting pictures of the blooms in the future.


My first tomato flower is getting ready to open.  I was not sure what variety this plant would produce, but I can now say it is not a cherry tomato.  The cherry tomatoes I have seen usually grow in clusters.  I am anxious to see what my other volunteers will produce.  Tomatoes are one of my favorite gifts from the garden, and I am pleased my plants seem to be doing well. 

Little Things Eat A Lot

Sweet Little Thing




I just love discovering all the sweet little things my garden has to offer!  My son was very happy to find a new friend literally hanging around by our Bradford pear tree.  He really wanted to put this friendly inch worm in our butterfly tent.  This led to a short discussion about different caterpillar like creatures, and how not all of them wish to be confined in a tent away from their favorite food. 

Here are a few flowers I found hiding in my grass.  Well they weren't really hiding.  The grass is probably twenty percent weeds, but I love treasures like these, so I don't use any weed killer on my lawn. 




I'm sorry, but lunch is going to be a little light.


The guest show here is dining on a very young dill plant.  I hope he takes his time eating because I am not sure the dill is ready to accommodate a voracious appetite.  Last year we used a butterfly tent to house a few caterpillars through their big change.  To attract and sustain more butterflies this year I have added a butterfly garden of sorts.  This area was an herb garden last year, and I did keep the repeat performers who survived the winter, but this year it is mostly fennel and dill.  My poor plants still need time to grow.  I hope they don't get devoured before they have a chance. 

Don't Be Cruel Pretty Peas!

Peas Grow Faster!

The first edibles of my gardening efforts have arrived!  Now the real question is will I be able to resist snapping these tender treats into my mouth before they reach maturity?  Last year not one pea pod made it into the house as I tend to snack on them while I am working outside. My husband and son like them too so this year I will try to restrain myself from munching them away as I see them.  These snow pea will make a lovely side dish someday.  I hope I can wait that long! 


I am also intending to let a few of these reach full maturity so I can harvest and dry the seeds for next year.  I will also be doing this with my tomatoes, peppers, and anything else which produces a viable seed. 





Don't Be Rude To A Tent That's Crude

I know it doesn't look like much, but for now it is serving its purpose.  This amateurish construction of a mesh tent was the best I could do with what I had around and the time constraints imposed upon my by the amorous butterflies and moths that have been looking to lay their eggs on my delectable produce.  Last year the caterpillars had a feast of my lettuce and radish leaves.  I tried to remove as many eggs as I could, but there was no way I could keep up.  The net serves as a pesticide free way of keeping my future salad off the menu for caterpillars.  I anticipate the need to improve upon this design as my veggies get bigger, and I also have a simple design in mind so stay tuned.




Update:  I broke down and ate ONE snow pea.  It was delicious!

Skink You Know What I Am

I Skink I Hear Something!


For days now every time I go out the back door there is a rustling in the pile of leaves I have failed to clean up.  I have been hearing and seeing this noisemaker, the Broad-head Skink,  for a few days now, and today she let me get a decent picture.  She was content to spend most of the day in this spot right outside my back door.  We have an understanding of sorts, if I keep the cats inside and close the door softly she will not run away.  Her much shyer partner ran off this morning after I spied him with a case of peeling skin.  As long as they keep eating bugs they can be friends of my garden!

I know you are, but what am I?

Here are the two newest additions to my makeshift nursery.  Yes, I am aware they are probably some sort of weeds, but I am not 100% sure, I am naturally curious, and something about them appeals to me.   The fern like captive was found growing along my back fence.  I only saw one other like it in the area.  The green and yellow dappled recruit was taken out of my raised bed.  It does not resemble any vegetable producing plant previously living there, but I am going to give it a chance to become what it is without letting it invading my beloved producers.   

The Doctor Who Bought The Rain

Ben Franklin said, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."

I wonder if growing an apple tree in my yard will also keep the good doctor away?  This little seedling grew from a Pink Crisp apple I shared with my son.  We cut the apple across its girth to show the hidden star inside, and there were also a few seeds with roots forming.  It was Earth Day so I could not resist sharing a gardening experience with my curious six year old.  The picture shows the first of four seeds to make it out of the dirt.  I have no idea if you can grow and actual producing apple tree from a store bought apple, but I am willing to give it a try. 

Store Bought or Homemade?  

This year I am flourishing most of my garden with plants started from seeds and left over volunteers from last year.  I captured some peppers from the volunteer squad, but I am not sure of the variety, so I broke down and purchased some banana peppers from London Bridge Greenhouses and Nursery.  The cell packs were  a reasonable 1.89 each so I decided to try out some patio pik cucumbers too.   In joyful anticipation of the cucumbers growing like wild I placed them in a container I had in the garage.  The peppers are enjoying prime real estate in the raised bed.  My husband and son do not really like cucumber and I do not care for peppers, so this is a compromise.  The mystery peppers will be going in another area of the garden soon. 
 








Some Rain Please

My rain barrel has run low, so I am looking forward to the rain we should be getting soon.  This rain barrel was added this year. I put it together myself after numerous trips to the hardware store.  There is a small leak at the spout, but not enough to warrant me climbing inside the barrel again.






If you live in the area check out  www.londonbridgegreenhouse.com

Visitors Place Bets on Queen Elizabeth!

Signs Of Visitors:  Friend Or Foe?

There have been some strange discoveries around here in the last few days.  Two nights ago I discovered rats running along my back fence, a robin is building a nest with my ball of string, and now these two new discoveries.  The white paw prints leading from the street directly onto my front lawn appear to have been left  by a raccoon.  I have never seen one in our yard, but the neighbors have reported sightings.  Possums are also known to frequent the area. 


Something also decided to leave a message right in the middle of the back yard.  My olfactory sensibilities will not allow me to try to decode this particular note, but visually I have a few ideas.  The presence of fur tells me someone had meat for dinner, and the consistency indicates things did not go well with digestion.  The local cat usually does his business in my raised garden bed, so unless he just could not make it I don't think it was him.  All this activity goes on at night when I am not there to see it.  Perhaps a backyard camp out is in order.


Considering where I live I am impressed with the abundance of wildlife on my small lot.  I am less than half a block from one of the busiest road in the city, and I can easily walk to downtown.  Stay tuned for more sightings and updates.

Place Your Bets: Mr. Lincoln, Queen Elizabeth, John F. Kennedy, or Yellow Sun Sprite.

My roses are aphid free at the moment!  I am very please with the performance of the banana peels as a repellent.  Right now the roses are getting one banana peel a day.  Decomposition seems to keep up with that amount, and the peels turn brown after a day so you really don't know they are there.  Further proof of my success with the roses is the appearance of healthy buds forming on most of the plants.  The sad exception is the knockout rose I acquired from a friend's garden (seen in the foreground) which is still in some sort of shock.  I am placing my money on John F. Kennedy to bloom first.
















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Let Us Rejoice for Lettuce and String!

Lettuce Rejoice For Tasty Beginnings In The Garden!

Here are the first members of my mesclun mix to show their cotyledons through the soil. I obviously sowed far too many seeds, but I intend to do some thinning. I planted lettuce last year, and enjoyed very little harvest. It seems the white moths were fluttering around my yard with more on their minds than a good view. I waged a natural minded war on the eggs and caterpillars who devoured every bit of my salad they could crawl on. The little bit of lettuce left for me was delicious, so I am trying again.

This year I placed a net over my tender little lettuce and radishes.  Not much thought has been given as to what I will do when the babies grow up, but I am sure I will think of something. The net also serves to keep the local cat from digging holes for his business.  I am however considering encouraging feline activity because while taking the dog out last night I saw two rats running along the back fence. Maybe kitty needs a few cat treats for his efforts to keep the rats away from the house.

I Know Why The Bird Takes String

A pair of robins are building a nest right in my yard! I failed to remove the string ball from the yard so the bird redoubled his efforts to drag the entire ball of string into the tree. There is now a small bit of a very long string worked into a nest, and I don't have the heart to pull it down. I am thrilled a pair if robins are making their nest in my yard, and I want them to be comfortable so I am supplying them with cut up string instead of one long piece.

Growing Up A String In A Tree

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I found this baby and some siblings fighting their way up through the volunteer tomatoes. A few pepper plants once occupied the space close to where I found them, so I can only assume this little guy will grow into some sort of pepper. Last year I planted hot and sweet peppers next to each other. This was a huge mistake! My hot pepper thrived and the sweet peppers struggled. Being a new gardener I did not know this, but I learned my lesson. My four foundlings could be either hot,sweet or perhaps a hybrid. I am hoping for sweet peppers as I prefer them to the hot ones, but only time will tell. If they live, and with my black thumb there is a good chance they won't, I will have to wait for the fruit to appear before I can tell.


Who put that string in that tree? 
 

This is what I saw upon opening my back door this morning.  My first thoughts were why would my husband put a string up there, this is not making any sense I need coffee.  After a good shot of caffeine and some wakeful reflection I realized the string did not arrive in the pine tree by human hands, but by bird beak!  The coil of string, a stray item from an earlier garage clean out, was left out in the yard last night.  I can only assume a passing bird could not resist such a lush quantity of nesting material.  It appears the winged creature made a few attempts at carrying off my supply of string, but was ultimately foiled by its weight and size.  I think I will cut some up into manageable pieces and see if any birds decide to decorate their nests with it.

Thank You For Volunteering and Mendel's Pride

Who is this subtly striped captive?

Well I actually have no idea. I found this volunteer under the Bradford pear tree in my front yard, the only one of it's kind in the immediate area. We shall see what becomes of it as time passes. My best guess it that it will grow into a hearty shrub of some sort, or perish because I have a way of killing plants. Too bad I like them so much.

The snow peas have donned bonnets for Easter!

The first flowers to make an appearance on my vine. Mendel would be so proud! I am looking forward to an early harvest of snow peas. These were planted in early March. Fortunately there don't seem to be any ravenous rabbits in the area, but I have a very hard time getting the mature pods to the kitchen as I tend to eat them off the vine as soon as I see them.

A Beneficial Visitor and Roses With A Peel

I saw this fellow last year near my shed. He is now making a home under the siding by the back porch. I figure he will eat any gross bugs I don't want getting into my house. This specimen is a skink of some sort. Very cute even though he did cause me to scream.













 

Is that a banana in your pocket? No just a bunch of peels.

Day 2 of banana peels as aphid deterrent. Yesterday I draped some peels over the aphid rich areas, and today there were few if any aphids in those spots. I did however see some aphids clustered on a not too distant leaf, so I went ahead and placed a peel in that area.





As for the circular ground decorations, those peels should provide extra potassium to the plants and aphids are not fond of potassium. My son eats a banana at least once a day, so no shortage of peels. More to come...

Overview Of My Garden

I do not have a green thumb, but I love plants and gardening.  Currently I have two 4X6 raised beds, a butterfly garden in progress, a small patch of sunflowers, 6 different rose bushes two of which were acquired from a friend about a month ago and are still in shock, a small area meant to be an herb garden, and various other projects and ideas I plan to work on.

I am trying to use the most economical methods to get things done around my yard.  I am growing things from seeds, using natural and household ammunition against the onslaught of nature's hungry visitors, I am capturing and growing "volunteers" I find in my grass (which is mostly a variety of "volunteers"), as well as mulching with the pine needles that are falling in my yard anyway. 


This will be my account of methods tried and failed, experiments undertaken, and observations made.