Good morning. This is us at our first home garden in 2001 when we moved in with Mom. By November, the turnips were doing great!

We are looking forward to cooler weather to start our Fall garden. We still have the shade up and water mornings when it is cool.

Generally, we plant leafy greens to take us through the winter months. The more woody-stemmed peppers and eggplants do better in the summer.

The pepper leaves have been the choice food for tomato worms this year. Lee's the one who notices the bare stems. I'm still looking at the dirt, mulch and water under the pots.

The front yard gives us hope for the future. We can keep an eye on things going in and out. The thought of creating beauty there inspires us.

Tomorrow we go to the senior community garden. We have a few beds there. One of the hose bibs is leaking. I think I have a washer that fits. We water three times a week. Again, no planting for a few more weeks until it's cooler.

Nice to chat with you. Happy to see any photos of what you've got growing!

Worms!

Over ten years of continuous worm composting!  Celebrate with us.

Zinnia

that's the plan

compost

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

Tapinoma sessile - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Surprise of Spring

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

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...)