July 8, 2009
· Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged basil
I have a friend at work named Marjorie. Marjorie and I have the same birthday. June 27th. Go ahead and get a pen to write that down, I’ll wait.
I’m not exactly sure how this tradition started, but now every year on “her” birthday I make her pesto ( “tradition” means it’s kind of expected). Last year, it was told by another coworker that Marjorie ate her pesto with a spoon right out of the jar. This year, she said she did put it on crackers. She loves her some pesto!!
And so do I!! I did have to make Marjorie wait until the basil was ready which wasn’t until this past holiday weekend.
I have also sowed another packet of seeds which are coming up nicely
and then today I sowed another packet. Here in Texas, we will be having “warm” days up until September, sometimes even into October. So we will have lots of perfect days for basil and we will need them because it takes four cups of basil leaves 
to make 6 oz. of pesto. Yep, that’s the bad news. But the good news is, it whips up in no time. Here is the recipe I use and it came from a back issue (and that means years ago) of Cooking Light. I have tried several pesto recipes but I always come back to this one. So, don’t worry Marj.
Pesto
4 cups loosely packed basil leaves
1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts (or walnuts), coarsely chopped
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1/4 teaspoon salt
With the food processor running, add garlic and pine nuts through the chute until finely minced. Add oil; pulse 3 times. Then add basil, cheese, and salt; Process until finely minced, scraping sides of bowl once. I recycle my pimiento jars (4 oz.) for the pesto.
and Presto……
Pesto!!
I also have a couple of other ways I put up all that basil. Sometimes, the pesto can get a little pricey and so I make this.
Basil Puree
Process 4 cups loosely packed basil leaves and 1 cup olive oil or (this is what I do most often) the basil with 1 - (8 ounce) can tomato sauce in a food processor until basil is finely chopped. Spoon into ice cube trays and freeze. Pop out the cubes and store in freezer bags up to 6 months. I use these in soups and sauces. This recipe I got from Southern Living magazine March 2004.
I have lots more ways to use basil, so stay tuned for the next crop.
June 29, 2009
· Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged cucumbers
Unfortunately, we are having 100 degree weather here at fromgardentotable. If I were a vegetable (no editorial comments, please) I am very sure I would have quit producing. But, luckily, that isn’t what has happened …yet.The tomatoes are ripening. I have to pick them just when there is the faintest blush of pink on them or the birds will peck them. So, I pick them as soon as I can and let them ripen on the windowsill.
These are the Porter tomatoes. But, I also have some Aunt Ruby’s German tomatoes which are a green tomato which when cut have a pink center and some Green Zebra’s which are rather small.
The basil is coming along, and I have sown some more. I am of the opinion one can never have enough basil.
My purple hull peas are growing, but as I was examining them yesterday SOMETHING has been chewing on the leaves. I suspect grasshoppers. Nasty little buggers.
But, the real show stoppers right now are the cucumber vines. Wow! They have really taken off.
So, I read the other day that cucumbers have two blooms. A male bloom which appears first and then falls off. A female bloom then appears which makes the fruit. I also read that honey bees are needed to pollinate the blooms. Look what I found when I was examining the vines.
If you look real close, there is a bee in the center of the flower. And evidently, they have been doing their job because I found THIS!
Um, now I just need a few more so I can make pickles instead of a pickle. Also, this photo makes the cucumber look sooo large but it is actually only about 5-6 inches long. There are tons of blooms, though, so I am very hopeful.
June 26, 2009
· Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged Garlic
Here is a tale of garlic. Once upon a time a girl gardener planted cloves of garlic.
One batch was planted in an area too wet. Another batch was planted in an area too dry. But another batch was planted in an area just right.
The garlic in the wet area were too small. The garlic in the dry area were a little bigger. But the garlic in the “ best” area were the largest (although still not as big as they could be).
Here is how they started out.
Garlic after harvesting.
I must say knowing when to harvest is a tricky wicket. My best advice is to go to this web site www.gourmetgarlicgardens.com and read their wonderful guide. They even have advice for growing garlic in the south, especially Texas. Basicly, what I read is “when the lower leaves have all died and only top 6 leaves are still green, it’s ready”. I also learned that “the upper leaves of the plant determine how many bulb wrappers the harvested bulb will have” . There is a wealth of information about planting, growing, harvesting, curing and storing garlic.
Here is the garlic curing. Curing is basically a drying process. Gourmetgarlicgardens says “The idea is for excess moisture in the roots and leaves to evaporate or withdraw into the bulb. When the roots and necks are completely dry and don’t emit a typical garlic odor when cut, it is time to trim it.”
Garlic ready to be “cleaned up”.
I had hoped to have a picture of all my neatly trimmed and cleaned up garlic, but when I trimmed the top of three of them, they weren’t quite ready for storing. But these will be used this weekend in pesto and salsa.
YUM!!
June 24, 2009
· Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged Cabin
We call it The Cabin because I suppose most of our my parents labor went into building it and the pond. I’m not sure why we don’t call it The Pond, but we don’t. Before it was The Cabin, it was The Farm. This was when my grandfather, whom we called Papaw and later Papaw Hawkins, so as not confuse him with my Dad whom my children and nieces also called Papaw, raised cattle there.
The cabin was built in the 80’s my boys being around two and five, now 23 and 26, my daughter not yet born. They loved it as you can imagine. Running wild, seeing wildlife and even a deer shot for food. My mother, because she is a wise woman, would take the boys only one at a time, with her and Dad, to “enjoy” for the weekend.
You just can’t imagine the quiet and solitude there. It is like being transported back in time. No phones, no lights except the ones from inside the cabin, and no agenda. We are always sighing and saying “Oh, it’s so peaceful here.” If we have said it once we have said it a million times!
One weekend, my mom and dad had taken my younger son Connor with them. Connor was never still. But, at one point in the weekend mother and Connor were sitting on the porch swing, swinging. His little legs, usually in perpetual motion, accenting the methodical rhythmn of the swing. After they had been swinging awhile (unusual for him to be in one place that long) she said he looked up at her and said “Isn’t this Peace?” Yes, darling, it sure is.
blackberries
Connor on the porch swing
June 18, 2009
· Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged gardens
My mom has been busily working in her garden and wanted me to take some pictures of her hard work.
My mom and I have totally different gardens. If she were to have a blog it would be called The Immaculate Gardener or The Perfect Garden.
My garden is more of a “cottage” style garden if I had to label it. It has sprawling tomato plants and cucumber plants and trellises with vines or vegetables scrambling up them. Nothing ever seems to stay within the confines of their pot or planter and I’m okay with that. If leaves find their way into the garden, they are raked into the compost bed.
My mom, however, does not tolerate leaves messing up her beautiful garden. She is meticulous with her secateurs and frets when mother nature (sometimes in the form of squirrels) spits acorns onto her lawn.
I wish I could be more of a perfectionist, but I guess I will have to leave that to the professionals. Like my mom. Welcome to Mary’s garden.
June 15, 2009
· Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged bell peppers
So, Friday I had to take something to work for our monthly Birthday potluck. And since I had bell peppers growing in the garden, I decided whatever I took must include bell pepper.
One of my favorite recipes for large groups is my Cornbread Salad recipe. (When you see the ingredients, you will understand why you wouldn’t want to make this for yourself to be eaten in one sitting) although, ahem, it can be done.
This recipe came from one of my home health patients from several years ago, Mrs. Birdsong. Now I probably visited Mrs. Birdsong a total of two times (I was filling in for her regular nurse) but we had an immediate comraderie. She loved to garden and she loved to cook. I think of her whenever I make this.
Cornbread Salad
-
2 packages of Mexican cornbread prepared according to package directions
-
2 bell peppers, diced
-
2 large tomatoes, diced
-
1 onion, diced
-
1 lb. bacon fried til crispy
-
1 pint Hellman’s mayonnaise
Crumble the cornbread and bacon. Add the bell pepper, tomatoes and onion. Stir in the mayonnaise and mix well.
It was a lot of fun to be able to go out into the garden and pick the bell peppers for this. My tomatoes are not ready yet or they would have been used as well. This is what I have looked forward to all of this growing season and there’s more to come!!! cause I’ve got blooms on my cucumber vines…….
That’s what I’m talking about….
June 12, 2009
· Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged Lilies
This past weekend, I went to East Texas. Our family has acreage there, thanks to my sweet Papaw who left it to us. My parents built a log cabin and we love to go there as often as we can, which isn’t nearly as frequent as we would like.
My Aunt Pat and Uncle Warner live just down the road. In a previous post, I shared the Irises my Aunt Pat had given me. Well, I missed taking pictures of her Irises this year but this past weekend her lilies were in bloom. They were spectacular!!!!!!
But don’t take my word for it…….
My mom outside the fence for a closer look.
Aunt Pat
June 11, 2009
· Filed under Uncategorized
I was really getting tired of the “Outback Theme” (at least that’s what it reminded me of) so I decided to play around with the header and see what I could come up with. I decided to put in the header what I use everyday. I did clean up my shoes, and the gloves are new because I had completely worn out the previous pair. But, these are my favorite gloves.
I do wear my hat and sunscreen, although I have a “farmer’s tan.
As you know, I am a nurse and have worked for a MOHS plastic surgeon. Once you have seen some of the skin cancer patients he has repaired, you start to wear your sunscreen to bed every night.
Anyway, hope you like it.
June 10, 2009
· Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged ground cherries
So, here’s what’s happening at fromgardentotable.
First, the lettuce. I snipped the leaves after I took this picture and made the BEST salad. I realized by growing it in a container, the leaves were perfect.
Next, my purple hull peas are coming up nicely. 
The cucumbers have taken off. 
Bell peppers are getting bigger. 
Jalapeno peppers are prolific. This is the 2nd or 3rd picking.
Tomatoes are growing. 
But, the most exciting plants are the ground cherries! Just as a refresher, this is what they started out as. 
One of the tiniest seeds I have ever seen. The black seeds, on the left, are poppy seeds and the seeds on the right are the ground cherries.
So, 2 of the original 6 survived and they had a rather shaky beginning. But, I noticed the other day that there was actually fruit growing under the leaves. 
Can you see what looks like little paper lanterns? (I had to lie down on the ground to get this picture.)
These ground cherries are a “cousin” to tomatillos. So, they have a papery husk on them like the tomatillos, which start out green (as well as the fruit) and then ripen to a golden color with a brown papery husk. When they are ripe, they just fall on the ground, hence “ground cherries”. Which I thought was mighty nice of them as some fruit/vegies are not so easy to tell when they are ready for harvest. Hopefully, the cherries will get larger and more prolific so I can make JAM!. But if not, I will definitely plant these again. It is so much fun to experiment with new plants.
What new plants have you planted this year?
May 29, 2009
· Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged construction
I have so many projects around here that I am becoming frustrated having to take time out of gardening, to do some “building”.
Project #1 First, there are the slate (I think they are slate) stones that I brought over a few at a time from my mom’s house in the back of my Honda.
- First, I need to get about 25 more from a stone place as I didn’t have enough to complete the space.
- Then, I need to place them exactly where I want them. (sounds easy, doesn’t it. ha!) (some are reeaally heavy)
- Then, I have to take them up and either a.) kill grass and weeds with Roundup or b.) put down black plastic underneath to kill them ( one is quick and not environmentally friendly; the other will take longer while being environmentally safe) decisions, decisions.
- Then, I need to put sand underneath the stones. If I were to put the stones down directly on this black clay, they would move and shift, possibly even break. ( this has already happened to a couple of them)
- Then, I want to plant a “steppable” herb like thyme or a moss or something between the cracks.
- Because this is how it looks now when it hasn’t been trimmed.
any questions?
Project #2 I am making a pathway out of bricks to be placed on the north side of my house between my hydrangeas and another bed. It is very narrow and doesn’t look like it would take much time or construction, but I.was.wrong. It is literally going to take bags and bags of sand AND more bricks. 
This is the semi-finished project. I only have about eight more of these to complete. yikes!
Project #3 My pitiful gazebo is literally falling down.
It began its descent after hurricane Rita hit the gulf coast of Texas and we received winds of 60 mph+ here in Dallas. (Yes, I know that was a couple of years ago) So, I need a new “something” to replace it. This will involve taking down the old one which is covered in my Peggy Martin rose and erecting the new one in its place. My problem has been finding something that will work, something I like and ,unfortunately, can afford. (this may end up being a fall project/hoping to get a pergola on sale at end of summer) If I can wait that long!!!!!!!!
On to more exciting “projects”, I have itty bitty tomatoes on my plants. 
and little bell peppers
as well as more jalapeno peppers
and I planted my purple hull peas!!!!! The other day Heather at www.heatherbakes.com asked what our favorite summer food was, to which I replied tomatoes and peaches. But, I totally forgot about purple hull peas. They are fantastic! My absolute favorite pea, and always remind me of summer.
I made a salsa this weekend with my peppers and it was really good. I used two jalapeno peppers (seeded and chopped), tomato (chopped), onion (chopped), one clove garlic- finely minced, cilantro-chopped (you can omit if you don’t like it), freshly squeezed lime juice, kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. After mixing together, I added an avocado cut into small cubes. mmm. good. It tasted just like summer.
What tastes like summer to you?
October 2, 2008
· Filed under Uncategorized
Welcome to my first post! ( Wow! This is really intimidating.) I wanted to start a blog to chronicle my gardening and cooking attempts. I have a really small space to garden, but want to make the most out of what I have. I also want to be able to grow more of my food, in an attempt to eat healthier. And, I believe there are some of you out there who are interested as well. So, we will learn together.
I also love to cook and want to be able to use the produce that I grow. Hence, from garden to table. Of course, what a moron am I to start a gardening blog when winter is just around the corner.
I sincerely hope you will stick with my beginning efforts at not only blogging, but also dealing with computers. Not my thing, but learning fast. Soon, because I know it will be crucial and necessary I will be having photos in my posts.
So, stay tuned.
Tammy
October 8, 2008
· Filed under Uncategorized
I don’t think I’ve mentioned it, but I am gardening in zone 8b, in the Dallas area. I’ve never understood what makes the difference in 8a or 8b. But what I DO know is that the soil I am working in is black clay. Sometimes known as concrete.
So, this past weekend before I could plant some pansies, snapdragons and dianthus, to name a few, I had to take out a wheelbarrow full of clay. Then, I amended the beds with soil + compost. I did have quite a few earthworms, but they evidently aren’t working hard enough.
Just this summer, I started a compost pile. I absconded a 3ft round bale of wire from behind my parent’s garage (my mom was only too thrilled to be rid of it) and have it “hidden” in a back corner. It seems to be coming along fairly well.
So, this winter I will be adding compost to all my beds.
Do you find that you are constantly amending your soil?
October 17, 2008
· Filed under Uncategorized
This past weekend I planted the garlic I had ordered back in the summer from www.territorialseed.com (and almost forgot about).
Two years ago, when I planted garlic I thought I had learned all the things you weren’t supposed to do when planting this member of the allium family. It seems I was wrong. While I did learn a few things, evidently I have much more to learn.
When I planted before, I waited way too late to plant. I planted in a low-lying area of my garden that became and stayed too wet when it rained. My soil was also evidently riddled with clay. How do I know this you may ask?
Well, when visiting Margaret Roach’s blog www.awaytogarden.com, a commentor mentioned a web site www.gourmetgarlicgardens.com. It was a wealth of information and specifically for me gardening in Texas. It also brought to light why my garlic, while delicious, was very small. If the soil is too compacted, your garlic will be small. Aha!
So, this year I did improve on my garlic planting. First, I picked a variety for warmer climates called Chet’s Italian Red. Second, I planted in October while the cloves were at their peak. Next, and this was totally by accident and after I did it I wondered if it was correct, I took off the paper skins after separating the bulbs into individual cloves. I then planted them about two inches deep and about four to six inches apart. So far, so good.
But what I didn’t do and will change next year is I will plant in raised beds. My soil is better this year, but I don’t know if it will be good enough for those big garlic heads I am dreaming of. We shall see.
I do know one thing, if all the garlic I planted actually turns out, there won’t be a vampire for a hundred miles.
November 7, 2008
· Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged Vegetables
Well, considering all that has happened with the economy, I am really glad that I have planted a small tiny garden. Even if there will be no exporting or selling for big bucks. Hopefully, I will have enough for a salad or two.
I have planted a butterhead lettuce, Lactuca sativa, specifically - Tom Thumb. As you may have guessed, the heads are small. About the size of a baseball with leaves. It is the perfect lettuce for space challenged gardens. I got my seeds at www.heirloomseeds.com.
I have also planted flat leaf parsley, bright lights swiss chard, and Monstrueuse de Viroley spinach. I planted flat leaf parsley because I like to use it in cooking over the curled leaf variety. I planted the bright lights swiss chard because of the different colored stems, red, yellow and orange as opposed to just plain old chard.
The spinach variety was planted because I loved the description at www.rareseeds.com “A gourmet French heirloom developed prior to 1866″. I figure if it’s been around that long maybe even I can’t kill it. It is also described as “very fast growing, popular for fall planting”. Bingo. This spinach is supposed to have large leaves and are of the smooth variety.
I have never planted spinach, so this will be a new experience. I have planted swiss chard before but only with transplants, not from seed. Parsley I have had a “hit and miss” success, so we shall see.
Here are the early beginnings.
I’ll keep you posted.
November 12, 2008
· Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged Swiss Chard
Here is an early picture of my Bright Lights Swiss Chard. I have found Swiss Chard to be very hardy. It grows practically all winter in my garden. This little bed is next to the house which I suspect protects it some, but it really likes the cool weather. Last year I planted transplants, but this year I tried seeds. I read that if you plant them close together, then you can just harvest the leaves and they will keep producing. Sounded good to me.
I just love the colors of the stems. They are red or orange or light yellow. I have even planted a few in the flower bed for some color this winter.
Bright Lights
I realized after looking back at my posts, there has only been “from garden” not so much “to table”. So I am remedying this oversight right here. This is a recipe I just love for swiss chard, because it uses both the stems and leaves. It also received a thumbs up from my son who isn’t that crazy about green vegetables.
This recipe is adapted from Martha Stewart’s Everyday Food magazine Oct. 2006.
Sauteed Swiss Chard with Raisins and Pine Nuts
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2 bunches Swiss chard (about 11/2 lbs. total) stalks cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces, leaves torn into 2-inch pieces (keep stalks and leaves separate)
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2 tablespoons pine nuts (I used pecans)
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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1/3 cup golden raisins
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2 garlic cloves, minced
-
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp. sugar (optional) I added this
- coarse salt and pepper
Wash chard leaving some water clinging to the stalks and leaves; set aside. In a large saucepan with a lid, toast the pine nuts over medium-high heat, shaking pan to brown evenly, 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from pan; set aside.
In same saucepan, heat oil over medium-high. Add stalks, and cook until beginning to soften, about 4 minutes. Add leaves, raisins and garlic. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until tender, 6 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Pull lid back slightly, and tilt pan to pour off water. Stir in vinegar and pine nuts; season with salt and pepper. Serves 4.
November 26, 2008
· Filed under Trees, Uncategorized · Tagged Sango Kaku
In case you were wondering if I speak Japanese, I only speak Japanese maple. Specifically, Sango Kaku. And yes, I know you can’t eat it. But sometimes, we just need food for our soul. Sango Kaku (acer palmatum) does it for me. All.year.long.
In the spring, the leaves are a lime green which in the fall change to yellow and then to a beautiful golden color tinged with red. In the winter, the younger branches are bright red which is so striking and unexpected. And why you may know this tree as “coral bark” Japanese maple.
This is a relatively small tree reaching 18-25 ft. tall and about 8-10 ft. wide. It grows best in zones 5-9. I have it in a courtyard, so it is up close and personal every day.
What feeds your soul from the garden?
December 4, 2008
· Filed under Uncategorized
- salad burnet
Well, who would have thought on December 3rd there would be something growing in the garden this vibrant and green. If you did think of something, you might not have thought it would be an herb.
Salad burnet is a new herb, for me, that has been the easiest herb (maybe other than chives) to grow. In milder climates, like mine, it has been known to over winter while in colder climates it is a perennial. I sowed the seeds directly into the garden in the spring and here is the best part folks, really did nothing to it at all.
The feathery leaves are reminiscent of cilantro leaves.
I know, I know. But what does it TASTE LIKE? Well, it has a mild cucumber flavor. You will want to harvest the tender leaves as the older ones can be bitter. When the leaves are about 4 inches long they are ready. And the best part is you don’t get the “burpiness” like some cucumbers can give you.
The plant will produce dark pink flowers in late Spring to Summer and can be used as a garnish only as they are flavorless. My plants have not flowered yet.
I like to use salad burnet in salads, of course, but it also can be used anywhere you would use parsley. I have tried it in a vinaigrette as well. Another use is in drinks, like you would use mint.
Here is another idea for salad burnet as well as other herbs:
Herb Goat Cheese Spread
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l log plain goat cheese ( or you can use 8 oz. cream cheese)
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3 Tbsp. chopped fresh salad burnet
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3 Tbsp. chopped fresh dill
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1-2 Tbsp. mayonnaise or sour cream
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1/2 tsp. dried mustard
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1 1/2 tsp. curry powder
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2 Tbsp. chopped fresh chives
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pinch salt
Blend cheese with herbs and mayo or sour cream. Add the mustard and curry, blend in the chives. The herbs can be changed to whatever you like and is available. It can also be frozen.
Give Salad Burnet a try and let me know what you think.
December 31, 2008
· Filed under Uncategorized
Sorry I haven’t posted in a while. I had a draft started on December 18th, but my dad became critically ill over Christmas and so I haven’t had the time or the heart. But he is doing much better now and hopefully will go home this week. But alas, no pics for this post.
The temperatures have been really crazy here. One day in the high 60’s and 2-3 days later in the 20’s and back up to 70 in 2-3 more days.
So while inspecting the survivors in the garden I realized I still have something green, something fragrant, something edible, and something beautiful.
My rosemary topiary.
I use rosemary almost every time I cook chicken. I throw it in when I am boiling a chicken. I also use it under the skin when I roast one. I use it to skewer chicken on the grill. I just love having it fresh and on hand when I need it. I bought one two Christmases ago and it is still thriving. (Probably due for a repotting this spring.) I also want to try it in making soaps and scrubs, really any way in which I can utitlize it more. I just love the fragrance.
So, the week of Thanksgiving I went to my neighborhood nursery looking for a potted mum but instead I found something else.
I have been wanting one of these for the longest time, sooo, ahem, I bought one. It is a bay laurel plant. Yep, same bay leaves you use in cooking. Isn’t it pretty? I may need another one, you know, to balance out my mantle which is where I would like to put them. There may not be enough light in there, but it will look good anywhere, I think.
Sorry for the short post. Next post will be an update on that garlic I planted in October and thoughts about what to plant for spring.
Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I know my New Year is going to be much better, now that my Dad will be coming home.
January 14, 2009
· Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged seeds, Vegetables
Well it’s that time of year when I feel like a kid in a candy store. No silly, Christmas is over, it’s seed catalogue time. It’s that time of year when seed catalogues from all over the country fill your mailbox to overflowing. See?
What to buy? What to plant? I see these gorgeous catalogues and I want them all. ( As if I planted them they would all turn into fruits and vegetables). Hey, some do and some don’t. However, at this time I have great expectations.
Last year was the first year I planted seeds in my garden and not transplants. I decided I needed a light source for my seedlings and bought this light.
The light source is movable and can be lowered or raised depending on your seedlings. This is important because if your light source is too far away from your seedlings, they will be tall and “leggy”. Why don’t you ask me how I know this?
This year I am going to add a heat mat to aid in germination. I also need to order some more peat pots to fill the system that I purchased. If I were buying a new one I would get larger pots, but since I have the small ones I will just stick with it. They did just fine last year. It may require transplanting an extra step as they get bigger and bigger. I purchased these items at www.parkseeds.com.
The most important piece of information you will need to know once you have picked out your seeds is the last frost date for your area. I just googled frost dates for zone 8b and found that mine is March 17th. Depending on the type of seed you are planting, you will count back from your frost date for your seed planting date. For example, let’s say your last frost date is March 20th and you want to start tomato plants indoors. You would need to start your seeds 8 weeks before the last frost date which would be approximately Jan. 23rd. There is a great gardening guide at Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds which I found very helpful. You can find it at www.rareseeds.com/guide. It was my gardening bible last year.
Some seeds can be directly sown into the garden like peas, carrots, lettuce, squash and cucumbers to name a few. Directly sown seeds are my personal favorite because I seem to have better luck with them. Although last year my cherry tomato plants I grew from seed did very well.
But for right now, I am just enjoying trying to figure out what to buy. Last year I bought English peas because I haven’t been able to find fresh ones at our farmers market (peas are delicate and don’t travel well). I also bought a variety of tomato seeds ( way too many – this year will stick with 2 or 3) as well as zucchini, yellow squash, lettuce, herbs, purple hull peas and lemon cucumbers.
But just like a kid in the candy store, I am limited by that nickel in my pocket so I do have to use some restraint. I am going to pick items that we eat on a regular basis and those that will fit into my pint-sized garden.
January 22, 2009
· Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged seeds
So I know the anticipation is just killing you as to what seeds I bought. But first, I have to tell you what preparations I have been doing before the seeds arrive.
First, I ordered some new refill sponges for the system I bought last year. This is the system without the sponges, and my cat Ling Ling checking it out.
I am also sending off this soil sample from my vegetable bed. At Calloways, you get two free samples, so I thought it would be fun and “educational” to find out what my beds are lacking. I meant to do this last year but never got around to it.
I also ordered a nylon trellis. It is 5ft x 30ft. but you can cut it to fit and then you just secure it to two poles. ( I am hoping this is as easy as they described it.) I had envisioned this last year when I planted my english peas as a way to get two rows of peas, with the trellis in the middle, for them to climb. The openings on the trellis are 7in x 7in. I think I will try to find some bamboo poles.
Now, here are two conundrums I have already encountered. My swiss chard is still producing. 
The spinach I planted hasn’t done much at all. It looks healthy but still small. The same with the parsley. Do I take them out in order to plant English peas for which I will get a smaller yield or give them a little more time until I am ready to plant warmer vegetables? Argh. The other thing is, I still have English pea seeds from last year which I have on a wet paper towel in a plastic bag to see if they will germinate. If they do, I need to use them this year, because they probably won’t be any good next year.
The second problem is that I want to plant Porter tomtatoes. I planted one plant last year and it outdid all the other varieties I tried. This variety was developed by Porter and Sons, here in Texas, for our hot summers. There are two kinds, orginal Porter and Porter’s Pride. Porter’s Pride is larger. Well, the place I ordered the seeds from has said they have a 28 day backlog so I may not get them in time to get them going. So, do I order more Porter seeds from another place? or just buy transplants from a local nursery? what a world, what a world
So, this is what I bought:
Baker Creek (rareseeds.com)
- green zebra tomatoes
- a & c pickling cucumbers
- De Bourbonne cucumbers (tiny pickling )
- Tom Thumb lettuce
- Mignonette Bronze lettuce
- Little Gem lettuce
- Petite Rouge lettuce
- Tam Jalapeno (mild)
- Purple Jalapeno (med. – hot)
- Emerald Giant bell peppers
- Patio Red Marconi bell peppers
- Garden Cress
- Ground Cherry (Strawberry Husk Tomato)
Heirloom seeds
- nylon trellis
- Porter tomatoes
- Purple Hull peas
Seeds I have from last year:
- English Peas
- basil
- dill
- Lemon cucumber
- zucchini
- yellow squash
I selected these particular varieties either because they are for the south and/or heat tolerant; or they are dwarf/mini plants i.e. the lettuces; or they are great container plants i.e. the Patio Red Marconis and lettuces. The ground cherry I have been wanting to try for a jelly and the cucumbers for pickles. The purple jalapenos sounded fun – they ripen to red – but the purple should be fun in a salsa.
Now if I can just get my seeds. Are they here yet? Are they here yet?
January 30, 2009
· Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged seeds, Vegetables
I am so itching to get out in the garden and we are expecting freezing rain/ice, in other words, the worst weather for our area.
I did manage to get outside one day this past weekend and begin preparations for my main vegetable bed. I took out the spinach-going-nowhere and also some of the swiss chard to make room for english peas. The peas I had placed in a plastic sandwich bag on a wet paper towel germinated, so I have decided to plant the remainder. Oh, and I also left the parsley.
So, I had a couple of bags of chicken manure which I dumped into the bed and worked in a bit. I am so hoping my trellis netting will come TODAY or tomorrow so I can get it erected and get these peas in the ground by the weekend .
I received my sponges for the seed germination kit, but no seeds or heating mat yet. Are you beginning to see how my life goes? Whenever they do arrive, I will be starting seeds of peppers and tomatoes.
I did come across a wonderful book this weekend that may become my new gardening bible Month-to-Month Gardening in Texas by Dale Groom. In addition to being divided into months, it is then further sub- divided into annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, roses, and vegetables. There is also a wonderful table which has all the information needed re: planting vegetables.
In addition to work in the vegetable garden, I am very anxious to begin some major revisions. These will include moving shrubs and plants to optimize space. ( more on that later)
But, for now I will leave you with a lovely photo of my compost pile.
February 10, 2009
· Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged seeds
Ok, so still no Porter tomato seeds, or trellis netting, or heating mat. How am I supposed to garden, in the dead of winter, without my stuff? My friend Holly, who lives in NY, just posts pictures of snow and probably laughs at me. But really, I could be getting so much done. really.
We did have some 70 degree days and I was able to run out in the garden and WEED for a couple of hours as well as prune away some of the unsightly perennials. Here is the before and after of my Becky daisies.
And here is the garlic I had promised an update on. 
Doesn’t look like much does it? Garlic always makes me want to dig it up, just to have a look and see how its going. Don’t worry, I didn’t. (oh, and the tacky green edging is going also.)
I also planted the seeds I HAD received into the sponges of my seed starting system. They were the Tam jalapeno, Purple jalapenos, Patio Red Marconi peppers, Emerald Giant bell peppers, zebra tomatoes, aunt Ruby’s German cherry tomatoes (these were a freebie from the company) and the ground cherry seeds.
All of these except the ground cherry, I placed two seeds into the hole of the sponge. If two plants should emerge, then you can just cut the less vigorous plant at the base with sharp scissors. I figure I am increasing my odds of success with more than one seed, if you catch my drift. Those ground cherry seeds were a challenge. It was like planting seeds the size of those on the outside of a strawberry. These were just placed on top of the sponge. I had to use my pointed tweezers just to pick them up and place them. 
This is a post-it note and the black seeds on the left are poppy seeds. The ground cherry seeds are on the right in the little plastic bag (very tiny).
I then placed the system on top of my refrigerator (a warm spot) for them to germinate. This is what I did last year and it worked. I will use the heating mat instead, if it ever comes. Once they sprout, (crossing fingers) I will move them to underneath the grow light.
I also planted two rows of English peas. These were directly sown into the garden. My handy dandy vegetable gardening guide said to plant them 2-3 inches deep, 1 inch apart and the rows should be 18 inches apart. I kind of fudged on the 18 inches apart but not by more than an inch. I laid a dowel I had in the middle of the row to mark the spot where the netting/trellis will go….. provided it ever comes.
February 20, 2009
· Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged seedlings
See my new little babies.
Just so you know, the first three rows on the left were not planted with seeds. Hence, no plants. So, here is the breakdown of what we have here. 
Left to right; fourth row is Green Zebra tomatoes, fifth is Aunt Ruby’s German cherry, sixth is the ground cherry – these are sprinkled on top as they are so tiny (may not do anything), seventh is Patio Red Marconi pepper, eight is Emerald Giant pepper, Purple jalapeno pepper and last row is Tam jalapeno pepper.
Once the seeds have sprouted, they need to be placed under a light source. As I mentioned in the last post, I have been keeping them on the top of the refrigerator at night for warmth, and under the grow light during the day ( approx. 16-18 hrs.). I wasn’t really sure what to do in the beginning, because, of course, some of the seeds germinated several days quicker than the others. So I wondered, did they need warmth more than light? I also didn’t want the seeds that had sprouted to not grow, or even die, if they didn’t have enough light. So, that was the solution I came up with and it seemed to work. If MY HEAT MAT HAD COME, it would have been a moot point. I would then have just placed the system on the heat mat, under the grow light. Alas, nothing is ever easy. Right?
I just want to say at this point, I have such respect for farmers.
So, this week I had a message on my machine from Calloway’s nursery. “Hi, this message is for Tammy. Um. yeah, your soil test results are back. If you would like to come in (pause) we can discuss the results with you.” Hmm. It feels kind of like meeting the Professor in his office. It’s either really good or really bad. Stay tuned.
But, a good thing happened this week. My friend Patty surprised me with SEEDS! and a cute little drawstring bag! Thank you, Patty!!!
They are garlic chives, round baby carrots – ”Romeo”, Poppy – peony double blend, and Chinese delphiniums “Blue Mirror”. I can’t wait to plant them! Oh, baby!
Patty was telling me how she remembered her grandparents always had a garden, with flowers and vegetables. Do you remember a special garden, or someone special who had a garden?
February 26, 2009
· Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged peas, Spring
This past weekend was fairly mild, in the 50-60’s. Sunday was exceptionally nice. So, what’s a person to do with weather like that….. WEED!!!! I’m not sure why I have so many weeds. They’re these tiny little grassy, pesty, weeds that spread like crazy.
I am determined to be rid of them. ALL. I don’t like to use pesticides, so I am humbly on my knees, exterminating them one by one. See the progress? 
Of course, the only problem with this method is you’re never done!!
So, I planted my English peas, maestro variety, on February 7th…….. and heeeere they are, along with some parsley which is doing unexpectedly well.
Yes, I know there is a dowel lying on the ground between the rows. (I am going to place a nylon trellis there for the peas to climb. It’s kind of like a volleyball or tennis net . The company says it will be shipped March 1st. ) I can’t wait to eat peas!!!!!
So, I guess you saw the yellow jonquils. I bought these at the grocery store last year in full bloom. No reason, just because they were beautiful. When they finished blooming, I planted them in the yard and forgot about them until now. (sigh) This is why I love gardening.
So, here are a few more early Spring arrivals in my garden.
So, get out there and weed people, it is SO worth it.
April 30, 2009
· Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged roses
Now, for you rose-loving people, what I’m about to say may be disturbing . I have had it with growing roses.
Does this mean I am removing all roses from my garden? Absolutely not! But I am sick and tired of black spot on ALL my roses, no matter what I do. Now, to be honest, some of this disease is my fault. I planted them in the wrong spot (no airflow), or didn’t clean around them well in the Fall (allows the fungus to overwinter) or didn’t spray them with my organic treatment at the right time ( I get busy and/or forget). However, there have been times when I did everything right and I still have the dreaded black spot.
So, what I have decided is SOME ROSES ARE JUST NOT RIGHT FOR DALLAS, TEXAS. Sorry, didn’t mean to shout…. and some are just not right for me. There, I’ve said it.
So. I am getting rid of the hybrid tea roses which have never been pretty and I’m sticking with the more hardy old fashioned roses; climbers, bourbons, rugosas, and miniatures.
This climbing rose (the two pictures above) is called Zephirine Drouhin (I’m a sucker for anything French) but you would be too if you could smell this rose. It is heavenly. A true rose smell, if you know what I mean. This Bourbon climber is a repeat bloomer and has been around since 1868. Isn’t that amazing?
This rose is called Baronne Provost. (I have seen this spelled Prevost also, but mine was spelled with an o. who knows?) Anyway, it is an old garden rose bred by a frenchman named Desprez in 1842. It has a strong rose scent and hips. I just love the way it starts out like a little pink cabbage. To me, it is the perfect cottage garden rose.
This one is a miniature someone gave me and it has several different colored blooms on the same plant (probably grafted that way).
Taking out the roses which were not doing well, will also give me some much needed space for vegetables.
But for all my whining and wailing, I do have a rose that I just dearly love. It’s the Peggy Martin rose. Some of you may be familiar with this rose. After hurricane Katrina ravished New Orleans, this was the only thing left in Peggy Martin’s garden. So, cuttings from her rose were sold to raise money for New Orleans. So, I bought one. Boy, am I glad I did.
This is one tough rose and I sure do love her.
March 3, 2009
· Filed under Uncategorized
My sweet, loving Dad passed away this morning. I cannot imagine the void his passing will leave in my life, but I am thankful his suffering is over.
It is truly the winter of my life.
Ira Bert Russ
April 21, 1931 – March 2, 2009
March 20, 2009
· Filed under Uncategorized
The weather here has been gloomy. But we can’t complain because we have gotten some much, much needed RAIN! However, the sun is shining today and I am very glad because there is soo much work to be done.
First up, the fence. An entire section blew down during the “bad” weather which I have been expecting to happen for some time now. (almost done)
Secondly, the edging. There are I believe three different types of edging here: black rubber edging, plastic green edging and metal edging. I won’t go into the sordid history of WHY there are three different kinds, but let’s just say ENOUGH! 
So, the metal one is what I am going to use as it seems to hold up the best. It also comes in straight or curved pieces and can be curved into undulating shapes if needed. sexy. 
Third, the need for adding more richly, composted soil to one of the beds which always seems to be eroding (probably due to crummy edging) and improper bed preparation. It is also the lowest spot in the garden.
Not to mention all of the weeding and cutting back of dead and downright scruffy looking plants. For example, lillies needed to be tidied up..
and this one 
Now isn’t this better?
and this?
I also transplanted my tomato and pepper plants to 4in. pots. I am letting them sit outside in the breeze to hopefully strengthen them, putting them back in the house at night. Call me cautious but even though our last frost date is March 17th, I don’t put out my tomato plants until April 1. No foolin.
I am trying to get beds prepared because very soon it will be time to direct sow seeds into the ground. (My personal favorite way to start seeds)
My english peas are starting to grow and hopefully will do ok, they looked a bit limp because of all the rain, but hoping the sun will take care of that. My nylon trellis came THE DAY AFTER I gerryrigged this old piece of trellis for my babies to climb on. 
Shut up. I know it isn’t pretty but sometimes you gotta improvise. (Don’t you love the brick holding up the broken end?) nice. I have to say, my Dad was right, don’t ever throw anything away!
And can you believe this parsley? 
I basically threw it out there and didn’t expect it to do well and looky there. I think I am going to try and make a pesto. Have any of you tried pesto made from parsley? I will make some and get back to you.
And then I found this little guy. So unexpected. Just playing peek-a-boo from under the parsley.
Life is kind of like that, isn’t it.
March 26, 2009
· Filed under Trees · Tagged Texas Mt. Laurel
That’s TEXAS Mountain Laurel thank you very much. Native to this here state of Texas and growing in the back corner of my garden, with the most gorgeous purple blooms.
Now, how it got its name is probably a tall tale. I mean, really people. I’m a third generation Texan and there are no real mountains in Texas. Hills, yes. Mountains, not so much. (I can hear all of the geology majors; “ There are the Davis Mountains and technically speaking the east Texas piney woods are the beginning of the Ouachita Mountains.”) ok.
Now, don’t go and confuse this tree with the Mt. Laurel found in the Eastern part of the country. This one is Sophora secundiflora. Some of its more colorful names include Mescal Bean, Frigolito, Frijolitos, Big-Drunk Bean and Coral Bean to name a few.
The tree produces fat silvery-gray pods that contain bright red beans. It seems the Native Americans prized these beans for their color and their potency as a hallucinogen. (The beans contain cytisine.) What you should know is that they are POISONOUS!
But, really you aren’t going to care what it is named because it is just the most amazing tree. Once you get it established, it is practically indestructible. Hard freezes, below 20 degrees, won’t kill it. We have definitely had freezes IN the 20’s and this tree never missed a beat. Come Spring, it was blooming away. Oh, and did I mention it’s an evergreen with beautiful glossy leaves.
The tree grows 8 to 12 feet tall and can grow as tall as 30 ft.
Just last weekend, we were traveling to San Marcos to the campus of Texas State University. The campus is quite beautiful (I forgot my camera). The entire campus is built in a terraced effect, as it is quite hilly, and these trees were blooming everywhere. Near the library and the Student Union Bldg. you can look out over the horizon and you’d swear you were standing on a hill mountain.
OK, and here is the best part. The blooms smell like grape Nehi soda. No kidding.
April 1, 2009
· Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged English Peas, ground cherries, Spring
As you may recall, (or see post dated 2/20/09) I had planted some itty bitty ground cherry seeds. 5 of the 6 plants germinated. So, I wanted to show you a picture of how they look today. 
I am going to plant them in the garden this weekend. I hope, I hope, I hope they do well because I understand the jam that can be made from these little babies is awesome.
I also wanted to show you a picture of my English pea plants. 
Did you see the little blooms? Can’t wait for the pods to form.
Ok, full disclosure. My tomato plants AND most of the pepper plants are too leggy. Problem #1; I had too many plants for my light source (due to problem #2). Problem #2; I was unable to put my plants outside, to “strengthen” in their pots prior to planting, as our weather turned extremely windy and too cold. (We even had a threat of frost.) Now, the tomato plants I’m not too concerned about because you can plant the “leggy” part of the plant into the soil and it will root and actually make your plant stronger. (and no one will be the wiser, hehe) But, some of the pepper plants may not make it so I may be buying transplants. Rats.
But, here is one pepper plant that is looking good.
Another update: I fertilized my garlic which I planted last fall. This will be ready for harvest this summer. Yum.
And, as I was getting ready to cut back my salad burnet, I found that it is getting ready to bloom! So I am going to let it bloom to see what the flower looks like.
I was lamenting the other day about whether Spring was EVER going to get here. Well, I think it has arrived.
How’s your Spring going?
April 6, 2009
· Filed under Uncategorized
I am feeling very much like Charlie Brown today. While the sun is shining here in big D, it’s a freakin 40 degrees with a wind chill of 20!!!!! AND tonight we are to have an unprecedented freeze. There will be no planting of tomato or pepper plants today. sigh.
So here are my pit-eee-ful plants awaiting their permanent home.
The three largest tomato plants are transplants I bought last week at a local garden center.The rest of these are from seed. More under the grow light, just getting leggier and leggier. Charlie Brown sigh.
Gardening is not for sissies.
April 15, 2009
· Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged bed preparation
This past Saturday, I worked like a madwoman to enlarge a vegetable/herb bed next to the house before the thunderstorms were to come (which they did on Sat. night).
I’ve probably said this ad nauseum, but my garden is very, very small. So, I am always looking for SPACE. I have looked at a certain area of the garden, for I don’t know how long (we have lived here 10 years) and just realized I could expand it about two more feet. Doh!
This is what I did: First, I dug up all the grass/weeds with a pitchfork. Then I broke up all of the soil (I was really wishing for a tiller). If it was pure clay, I threw it OUT. (I determined this by – (now pay attention because this is very scientific) if I could not break it into smaller pieces with my hand, it was tossed.
Then I put the edging in. Oh.my.gosh. this was such a chore. I used a rubber mallet and my Wonder Woman strength to shape and pound it into place. It took for-ev-er.
Then, I added a layer of shale and mixed it in.
Then I added a layer of top soil and mixed it in. 
Then a layer of gypsum. ( I am determined to break up this clay.)
Finally, a layer of bed planting mix
(which contains compost, more shale, etc.). I used the shale and gypsum at the recommendation of my local nursery. I had sent in a soil sample which they analyzed. ( I was a bit disappointed in the quality of the report I received. I was looking for something more specific and scientific.) The shale once placed in the soil will remain forever and helps to keep clay soils from being so compacted. The gypsum is similar in that it also aerates clay soils but it is finer in texture. Garden gypsum can be applied on top of beds and lawns without having to be worked into the soil. (A real bonus – let me assure you)
I planted tomatoes and peppers in the new space . 
Other gardening chores were taking out a front row of parsley (it would soon go to flower and I want to plant something else there) and overcrowded plants of salad burnet. I then cut the remaining plant (salad burnet) way back. I made the discovery that ONE plant of salad burnet is plenty. My compost pile smelled like cucumbers from the discarded plants, which was rather nice.
Wonder woman was extremely tired, but very pleased with the results.
April 17, 2009
· Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged irises
I am so fortunate to be a part of an extended gardening family. My Mom and Dad gardened together for years and everything I learned about gardening I learned first from them. My Dad passed away in March, so it is our gardens (for me and my mom) that are our solace.
But, I am also lucky in that I have lillies that were in my great-grandmother’s garden which made their way to my mother’s garden and then to mine. I remember she had a cottage-style garden in front of her house with flowers on both sides of the walkway as you approached the house. Cottage gardens are to this day my favorite.
My Aunt Pat is also a gardener. She lives on acreage “out in the country” and has probably a quarter acre of irises and lillies planted around her house. Last year she divided her irises and lillies and shared some with me. Some of them bloomed last year, BUT almost all of the irises are blooming this year. So, I just had to share them with you.
Hope you liked them!
April 21, 2009
· Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged peas
My pea pods filled out nicely!
Remember how they started?
The weather is turning much warmer, yesterday 80 degrees, today was in the mid-80’s. By tomorrow, it should be in the upper 80’s (weather people are actually saying it will hit 90). My peas will quit producing soon. Maybe today, who knows. So……..I harvested them.
Even though I may not have a bumper crop, I think it is kind of cool that I actually got English peas to grow in Texas. So, heeere they are! (um, minus two pods I opened and ate in the garden)
They tasted sooo good! These I just steamed a bit on the stovetop until tender. They were amazingly sweet. But, one of my favorite ways to have fresh English peas is with new potatoes in a cream sauce.
New Potatoes and Peas in Cream Sauce
Boil the potatoes (about a lb.)(they really need to be tiny red new potatoes) in salted water until tender, drain and set aside. Cook the freshly shelled peas (about a lb.) until tender; either in boiling salted water or by steaming. Drain and set aside.
Make a bechamel sauce or sometimes called a cream sauce. Melt 1/4 cup butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat. Blend in 1/4 cup flour. Cook about a minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add in 1 cup milk, cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until it thickens. Stir in 1/4 tsp. salt and 1/8 tsp. white pepper.
Combine the potatoes and peas, top with the bechamel sauce and gently stir to combine. It is amazing!
April 27, 2009
· Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged tagged
Heather at www.HeatherBakes.com tagged me earlier in the week and this is the first chance I have had to reply. So, here goes. (written on Sun. posted on Mon.)
8 Things I Look Forward to:
- l. harvesting homegrown tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, basil, lettuce, etc.
- 2. eating said produce
- 3. kids graduating from college ( I will get a raise when that happens)
- 4. not having a mortgage payment (woohoo)
- 5. more free time to spend with family and friends
- 6. traveling
- 7. not commuting to work everyday
- 8. an ice cold diet coke
8 Things I Did Yesterday:
- 1. picked last of the English peas
- 2. pulled weeds
- 3. planted plants
- 4. made several trips to Lowes and Calloways
- 5. talked to my daughter on the phone
- 6. got mom’s opinion on plants
- 7. cut irises for a bouquet
- 8. watched the Mavs beat the Spurs!!!!!!!
8 Things I Wish I Could Do:
- 1. eat and not gain weight
- 2. speak a foreign language fluently
- 3. have an apt. in France or Italy
- 4. write a book
- 5. paint (and I don’t mean the house, honey)
- 6. control the weather
- 7. not be afraid to work with power tools
- 8. have Candace Olsen redo my entire house (how divine!)
8 Shows I Watch:
- 1. Heroes
- 2. American Idol
- 3. House Hunters
- 4. House Hunters International
- 5. Divine Design
- 6. Barefoot Contessa
- 7. Curb Appeal
- 8. Texas Rangers baseball
If you haven’t checked out Heather’s blog, well you seriously should. You will love it! Also, check out her lists and the other bloggers she tagged.
Also, I wanted to mention fromgardentotable can also now be accessed at www.fromgarden2table.com. But, you can get there from the original site as well.
It is raining cats and dogs in big D, huge puddles at fromgardentotable.
May 4, 2009
· Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged peonies
I have to admit it. Sometimes, just sometimes mind you, I can be really hard-headed, stubborn even. One, of those times, is when I believe I am right and the other is when you tell me “Oh, yes, but you can’t grow those here.” Hmm.
Such is the case with peonies. “Oh, it doesn’t get cold enough here.” “Those are for up North, zone 3 (granted, that is ideal)”. So, I was determined to have them.
I planted them on the northern exposure of the house. I planted them in an area where they could grow undisturbed (in front of my white azaleas). Did you know that peonies can last for 50 years? I planted the root with the little eyes at just the right depth (one inch depth for warmer climates, zone 8-9). And then I held my breath… because the first year they barely bloomed. But I was patient, or stubborn if you wish, and sometimes that pays off.
Since it was going to rain and storm on Saturday evening, I ran out and cut a bouquet. Because, you see, there is nothing more beautiful, more spectacular, or more glamorous than peonies.
What do you think?
May 13, 2009
· Filed under seeds · Tagged direct seeding
I worked 8:30-5:30 on Friday and hurried home (if you can call sitting in traffic for an hour+ “hurrying”) to make preparation to plant SEEDS, for which I am already late. But, what to do? It has rained literally every day or was so wet it may as well have. So much so, I have not been able to get out in the garden. And another storm was coming.
I stopped by the local hardware/garden store and picked up two 6ft. tall bamboo poles for my trellis; they were perfect. This is the nylon trellis I ordered back in Jan.? and didn’t get until it was too late for my peas, so I am using it for cucumbers.
So Friday evening I am out in the garden, erecting this trellis in the waning light. Just me and the mosquitos. Yeah, they’re baaack.
Luckily, Saturday turned out to be rain free. So I was able to plant my cucumber seeds. I planted A&C pickling and De Bourbonne. I had googled planting cucumber seeds and found a very informative site from Texas A&M. Their suggestion was to plant on little “hills” and place about four seeds on a “hill”. So I have two “hills” for each variety. I don’t know if you can see the little “hills” very well in this photo, but they are there for now. Hopefully they won’t be washed away. The article stated that cucumbers need well-drained soil.
I also planted my basil seeds in the bed where I took out the peas and parsley. I will also plant purple hull peas there soon. I planted three types of lettuce in a large pot so I can move it to shade in the afternoons if needed (petite rouge, little gem, and mignonette bronze). I don’t know why I am just now planting lettuce. I had originally planned to plant in a bed but had to change to a pot. If I had realized I would be planting in a container, I could be eating lettuce by now. Oh, well.
My tomato and pepper plants have blooms on them.
porter tomato
pepper
And one even has a tiny pepper.
jalapeno pepper
Very exciting!
May 14, 2009
· Filed under Uncategorized
I bought several kinds of seeds awhile back, and I do mean A while. So far back I can’t remember exactly. But by straining my brain and comparing notes of other plants I finally decided…. I planted these seeds about a year and a half ago to two years. I am unsure of the season – may have been winter or into spring.
They came up readily enough. They produced green foliage that very suspiciously looked like a weed. They stayed green through the winter, which made me even more wary.
The only thing that saved them from being uprooted was I knew I had planted something there. But what? I couldn’t find the seed packet to remember what they were called. I new I had the information, but for some reason never took the time to look for it.
But this Spring, something began to happen to those “weeds”. A tall shoot appeared and little white tubules formed. THEN, those tubules began to turn red. Something in the back of my brain said “Oh yeah, I think I bought something red to attract hummingbirds”. But what was it called???
Finally, I found the packet. So, now this pretty little baby has a name.
She is a penstemon, called Scarlet Bugler.
May 19, 2009
· Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged direct seeding
Would you believe All the seeds I planted less than a week ago have germinated? I was truly amazed. Now I need to thin the cucumber plants. How do I decide which will stay and which will go? I find this stressful.
My lettuce seeds are coming up nicely. I managed to sow them in a fairly even manner. 
Can’t say that for the basil seeds. 
I really must stop taking that glass of wine out into the garden. But, seriously I do sow my basil thick like this and have found that it works really well. And like I said before, I am not very good at thinning.
So, here are my cucumber seeds that I have to decide who will stay….
…and who will go. Eeny Meeny Miny Mo….
May 23, 2009
· Filed under Uncategorized
Hey guys!
Taking a few days off for the Memorial Weekend. Will be back on Fri. May 29th with a post. Hope you have a safe and enjoyable holiday!!!
Tammy
