John & Lee's Garden Journal

compost

2010-05-20T15:37:00.001-07:00

Gave a guest tour of our garden and compost operation. Received lots of complements. Cautious about compost complements. Sent sample for testing. Result: Compost not quite "done" but OK for compost tea (much to my surprise). Would still like it to be more mature. [Copies available upon request. Submit email address.]

Tapinoma sessile - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2010-05-17T06:53:00.000-07:00

Tapinoma sessile - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Surprise of Spring

2010-05-06T16:02:00.000-07:00

As discouraged as I was over our winter garden, I could not have predicted the stellar recovery life makes when allowed. The aphids which had thoroughly infested the Swiss Chard are no where to be seen. Because nothing was added, Ladybugs were able to thrive. We are now on our third crop of larvae who are keeping everything clean and healthy!

(2) [of many] For the first time in my 50 years in this house, I saw a hummingbird nest outside our front window! That it was the day after our mom's Celebration of Life service is no surprise. From the count of the others in and around the back yard, there must be another half-dozen nests not far away either.

(3) The fire ants are gone! I was giving a tour to my nieces who had come to visit in March and, of course, I had to show them the compost. There was the swarm! Arrgh! I couldn't live another year with their belligerent threat. Lee suggested boiling water and I haven't seen them since. (We do have another swarm, but they do not seem to be threatening. I sent a few to the lab for testing, just to be sure.)

(4) A neighborhood community garden has begun!!! How many times I have passed by a vacant lot down the street and wondered what it would take to make compost there. Now it is happening!!! A former friend from high school had five acres he was willing to lend to the cause. Another high energy visionary had the faith and there you have it. A miracle in the desert! It is blooming and growing and who can keep up with it?

Winter Garden

2010-01-15T03:16:00.000-08:00

For as much enthusiasm as I had about winter gardens, this one has been disappointing.

My expectation was for crispy, sweet lettuce all season long. The romaine, however, has become bitter and me with it (or vice versa).

The compost is still cooking and I haven't seen the ants. My brother says they've gone underground. I'm hoping to get down there to chill them out before the cold weather leaves.

Did I tell you I got the report back from the Department of Agriculture? Southern Fire Ants!

Our lemons are spectacular, though. Nothing is all bad. (Maybe if I could do away with judgment alltogether...)

International Federation of Garden Composters

2009-07-06T23:02:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't that be the group to join? There is something that warms my heart to hear about composting and composters. San Mateo has its own program "Master Composter Certification." Please see. Southern Nevada, you're next!

The problem with pests

2009-06-08T22:12:00.000-07:00

Ants swarming. Coffee grounds did not deter. Silicone Dioxide (Safer Ant & Crawling Insect Killer) did not diminish them. Pyretherins (Epsoma Earth Tone Insect Control) only stopped them in their tracks. This took daily applications. Colony still present. Considering spinosad products.

In other pests, cucumber/squash beetles are a persistent problem. Last year, the infestation was so bad, we just took the crop out. This year, we only lost one isolated plant to the bugs but it took early intervention to save the rest.

Fungal Numbers are up!

2009-05-07T17:06:00.000-07:00

Monday 5/4

2009-05-04T20:39:00.001-07:00

Lee's photos, our garden, fancy music & presentation take you on a journey through the plants (named) and beyond. http://www.photoshow.com/watch/UD8ye2Xh

April, 2009

2009-04-30T10:38:00.000-07:00

I have been video journaling this season since February. The local Asian video stores can make copies of the DVD easily & inexpensively. Today I am working on an introductory graphic for the video. The photo is scanned from a picture of us in our first garden, the winter of 2001-2002. We were very proud of that beginning and sent Christmas cards to that effect all around. (What? You didn't get one? Arghhh. Well, this is the photo and the caption said, "Sending you lots of love. Joy to the World. John & Lee Perazzo. First Garden." (Christmas, 2001) Is that better?)