Arizona's Bee Bliss Garden at 1200 Feet

It is time to get your above ground inside seeds

2011-11-01T14:24:00.000-07:00

November 2 is First Quarter Moon Time to plant above ground with inside seeds.

It is time to get your annuals planted

2011-10-26T09:01:00.000-07:00

Between now and November 2nd get those beautiful flowers in. Remember to pay attention to sun/shade needs. Sit out with a cup of tea and watch where the shine is. Shade lovers to the north of the house close up. Sun lovers farther out away from the shade line. Like wise to the south of your house Sun lovers close up and those that like shade way out by the fence line.

It is the way of the compose to watch for the best places to plant.
Have fun!

South Western United States Fall Flowers at 1200 ft.

2011-10-08T13:57:00.000-07:00

This was the site I built last year before it was planted.

In the garden in-spite of the limp.

Oh so sweet to feel sun upon my back. It has been a very long stint without soil under my nails. It is a delight to see moist soil ready and waiting. All the hard work in the flower bed out front paid off this fall. Having had a total knee transplant two months ago hard work is out of the equation at present. Know that a rake was my simple tool. Preparation on the earth was ease this morning and the seeds are all-but jumping into 'safe harbor' to flourish in the coming rains.
The hard work of creating/setting the site in the very beginning of gardening is what makes an estate a gardeners delight. Especially when the land has had a rest the elements have melded into each other. It now becomes the turn of the gardener to be more relaxed of task.
Oh the simple joy of tossing seed on well prepaired ground.
The flowers of spring are now ready to 'fall' into the earth to begin life a-new.

Plant above ground inside seed until 10/11/11

Plant per-annuals annuals and bulbs 10/1/11 thru 10/19/11

Does my heart such good to come home to garden

heat

2011-06-30T21:36:00.000-07:00

the garden is still now only the rosemary remains
in the fall a new knee will bring the hope of ease
these next months to plan the crop
the garden is still
even the chickens prefer the lawn and the shade of the wall
summer here
the garden goes into a coma until fall

Harvest

2011-04-27T08:47:00.000-07:00

The plants before you are gifts from the soil. The soil was hauled in from a garden that shut down. The tomato was so happy here that they came of their own accord. Best way to grow a plant I think.

The tomato plants yielded the first pretty little red tomato yesterday. In fact there were just enough for each of us to have two on our supper plate. The round ones are deep within the foliage.

These are little golden tear drops.

Very pretty in salads.

Looking close at the leaves you can see the white has heat damage on leaves. We had high heat fluctuation over the last week or so. The yellow/dark green variegation of leaf is a soil deficiency that called for some Epsom Salt sprinkled on the soil. Avoid the leaves getting wet during heat wave.

wild flowers in bloom

2011-03-31T21:16:00.000-07:00

propagating a fern

2011-03-25T20:45:00.000-07:00

My sweet old fern was just busting at the root with rhizomes.

It could not even take a drink.

Upturning the pot one can see why.

The roots were so tangled and full of little future ferns.

Slowly and purposefully each root got untangled and stripped of its little jewels.

Each and every root was carefully drawn through my fingers as the bulbs snapped off to the ground below.

With dry roots the processes was accelerated.

At one point I thought to cut the root ball into two, no chance.

Potential ferns.

My reference gave little detail on the process of doing this.

Following instincts, trusting the process the roots were then transplanted into other pots.

Circling the pot and covering only and inch or two.

The other old fellow will get the chance once my husband pulls the huge pot from the garden.

From the beige pot above to the huge old black garden pot.
The root ball filled it up!

My sweet lonely lab approved

He misses his Rena Girl (our Golden Retriever) she passed away earlier this month.

Home made bird food

2011-02-28T02:36:00.000-08:00

Try this bird food recipe to attract your feathered friends!

3 parts melted fat (suet preferred)
1 part cornmeal or finely cracked corn
1 part peanut butter or other nut butter
1 part sunflower kernels or chopped nuts
1 part brown sugar
1 part chopped dried fruit (currants, raisins, prunes, etc.)

Combine all of the ingredients with enough water to get the consistency of cooked oatmeal. Cook in double boiler until well blended. Put into small containers like tuna fish cans that can be securely attached to feeders or a tree

Those weeds in the midst of beauty

2011-02-27T01:20:00.000-08:00

Click any image to enlarge it

Have you ever notice that when there is beauty weeds of life come to distract your eyes from it?
Best bet is to yank those weeds early for the longer they linger the more likely they will disturb the roots that hold fast the beauty around and within us.

It may not look like much yet.

The poppy's are coming up and soon the color will burst~

The large center bed is coming along. One end of it gets too much shade and is not growing very well. One the spring solstice comes the sun will come more upon it.

The sweet peas and the bachelor buttons are one the trellis. It will be so pretty as the blue bed comes into color.

they are so pretty

just into the entry walk the close up is sweet

this what company will see as they come to the door

Now the back yard flowers are sorta sad. Asylum is bursting, two of the self sewn tomato plants are still alive after the frost. We are having a winter with many more frosts than normal. As is the whole continent

The broccoli it gone to bolt into flower.
You should see the BEES!
Must of been 100 of them easy.

This gets pulled up daily for the hens.

The hens love it.
Just hens having fun, kids too. They watched them as they debugged the compost.
Some happy birds, and kids. The hens got hold of a VERY large larva of a hummingbird moth.
Oh they fought over it

Weeded the bed a little. So not what I had hoped for and worked too hard on. Remember this is the garden I alone dug down 6 inches of stones. Removed them and trucked in all the soil that fellow gave me. I think it was his tomato plants that came with the soil. It will be fun to see what they are. They look as a bush variety so far.

Remember to pull those weeds in your life and in the gardens early. Don't let them mess up all the beauty within and around you.

Getting ready for the spring garden

2011-01-23T09:14:00.001-08:00

Today will be a rainy day
checking my lists for what goes in next
the compost is doing well and so I will need to dig in the treasure
broccoli is needing to be harvested today

Saving Seeds

2010-11-11T21:45:00.000-08:00

This is Kale seed. Last year the healthiest plants were let to bolt in the hot weather at seasons end. When they had grown a healthy seed the seed heads were plucked to dry. They have dried well over the long hot summer. Now at falls planting they are all well ready. Now in the other climates this is done in springs end into their summer. We have the seeds here in late spring. Getting ready begins with keeping eye on the healthiest of each of your crop.

Tossed last week these are already germinated into a promise of good harvest a few weeks out. Love Kale, so good for using in those dishes that call for greens that won't just wilt out.

The process of shelling seed is one that the day was spent on. Many others had already been accomplished. Alas I was behind on this duty.

This is seed of a orchid tree. One that was a volunteer on my side yard. It is so pretty now. Perhaps I could do a seed swap with some of you if your interested.

This is the snapdragon the husk is really hard and the seeds tiny. Even if you go for a walk all you need to do is collect a few seed heads, just ask them first.

Now some seed is so tiny. Oh the variety of shapes and sizes amaze and amuse me.

Remember to save seed and trade seed. Keeping those old heirloom varieties going.

Planting today all day

2010-11-06T22:03:00.000-07:00

After all the work the last week or two on the soil preparations today was the big day. Over 21 things went into the soil. The list on side bar is the total so far. Mostly.

Morning in the garden

2010-11-01T18:50:00.000-07:00

The gnomes turned their back to me when the realized that the rest of the seeds can't go in until after the 5th. I told them it is time to tend the things in and get the earth ready for those to come. Looks like that free plant at the foreground right hand might be a tomato. Nice it will make fine salad with the cucumber next to it. Again that south bed is a bit of a miff to all of us too ( the gnomes and I) It is just not friendly. The PH needs to be tested and trouble shot. Me thinks too much nitro. The radish is just not performing. Had to cover the carrot. Seems a cat likes me till. Some cayenne will be a cure once I can get to the herb shop. It is cheaper there than the grocery.

This end of center bed had yet to be amended and turned. This week another task to tend too.

The french marigold is happy. As is the broccoli in the back right.

Well after sitting a spell they came to terms with the work ahead and decided to give me a break. As long as I keep at it. Least they could do is offer a little help digging that earth up. After reasting a while in the cool of the shade a humming bird came to visit a while.

Well after a second go at it this bed will be ready at weeks end.

It was planted prematurely. The compost had not been added and it was taken for granted that it would not need it. However each year we must add compost to keep this clay soil even.

So by weeks end chard and kale will go in again.

All the clods broken down now, tomorrow it will get a good watering from the raid tank.

Another day in the garden and the soil on my hands is a reminder that we are all conected.

The coop was cleaned today as well and the compost will yet continue to grow.

It was 3 feet tall and now is only a little left.

And the circle of life turns, turns, turns.

Time to plant Root crop, bulbs and perennials Oct 23-30 Here in Az

2010-10-26T01:21:00.000-07:00

He thought they were for him, at least a dog can hope

The large center raised bed will be for carrots season.

We eat carrots every day.

The bed is fine tilde no rocks at all.

The depth of it is all so, it has been a big job.

Tip here

When planting carrot and parsley soak the seeds overnight

cucumber and chive

This an unexpected gift from compost.

I think it is a tomatoe plant. I never remove a self sewed plant.

I figure it liked it enough to grow there it must be a happy plant

There are a few early buds on the cucumber.

Tip here NEVER touch a cucumber until your ready to pick it.

Funny plant that way, oh yes I learned the hard way :)

The Radish is a little leggy. I think there is too much nitro in the soil.

This bed is against the South wall. Too much shade.

If you look at the left corned. Another gift a little basil plant.

I have been longing for fresh basil.

The peas are being eaten by somebody.

This is the third replant.

That 3 foot compost pile did real well in the summer heat.

It is almost all gone. I have yet to dig it in the far bed. Had a failed crop of Swiss chard.

Going to replant it and the kale next week.

The broccoli is doing well on the far right in image

Strawberry pot still hold a little promise. I need to get a nice stepping stone for the bench corner. The cushions that I got will the money my dad left me are now on the bench. Water tank hold a fair amount.

Once carrots were in the earth I just had to step back and admire that beautiful earth. Center row is the longest to harvest. Near the edge is the smaller ones. That way the kids can easily reach them when they are ready in 55 days or so.

Well get your root stocks in this week or you'll need to wait for another lunar cycle

Dirty Dozen Fruits and Vegitables

2010-10-11T10:34:00.000-07:00

Menu Plan Monday

If you are eating these food as non-organics you could be ingesting countless pesticides.

*celery

*peaches

*strawberries

*apples

*domestic blueberries

nectarines

*sweet bell peppers

*spinach,kale, collard greens

cherries

*potatoes

imported *grapes

*lettuce

The good news is that all of the ones with an * can be grown at our elevation with a bit of know how.

Education is a must however and great effort as well. I have grown celery (an English variety),spinach,kale and Swiss chard very successfully. Lettuce is so easy. On my wish list are others that I do hope to get into the earth as the budget permits.

See the full news article here

Planting the Annuls and the crops with seeds outside

2010-10-09T20:06:00.000-07:00

It is the season after new moon. Between now and the quarter moon (Oct 14th) we are to enjoy planting our annuals.
I am so excited to begin. Planting by the moon is a wonderful way to keep the wisdom of the elders alive.

Remember the old farmers Almanacs

Click on the image to locate our 2011 Farmers Almanac

Pour a cup of tea and educated your self in the simple ways of old.

Preparing flower seed inventory

2010-10-09T15:40:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my morning office

Planting by the moon cycles dictates this week be spent preparing the Annual beds.

Keeping good order of our seed is important.

Next year at the time of using my saved seeds life will be easy for me.

Saved seed does not have the luxury of seed packages with all the data on them needful to replant in a beneficial way. On the inventory sheet is the information needed for success. NO need to do all the research again. It is all there.

When What Where Why

color

location

soil needs

days to germination

spacing

thinning

height at thinning

full grown height

Companion planting if applicable.

Seed packets. Notes on heirloom or hybrid type


Each page is set in alphabetical order. Click to enlarge.

sweet peas up the trellis

These are just beginning only 2 weeks in. Bachelor buttons, Shasta daisy, forget-me-nots, sweet peas and lupines. There are also columbines. This is my blue/white bed. Now some nasturtiums vines that had reseeded are also joining them. They are a fire palate so they may get pulled.

Lupines. Remember to chill seeds of lupines for 7 days before planting

The ferns are loving the cooler days. Well under 100 here has been a treat.

My seeds now sorted into annuals, perennials and biennials.

I study some types on line and then add the printed information to the data page.

This is the week to plow and cultivate.

The iris have been removed and will go in after the the full moon. All bulbs, perennials, biannual and root crops will go in then. All flowering annuals, and ground crops with outside seed will go in between the 7th-14th. Ground crops with inside seed between the 14th and the 22 of October. The soils will be attained from the side yard once screened of rock. This bed will need to be dug with pick ax then screened as well. All semi shade will go toward the house the South of the bed. Taller iris to the left full sun. The flax to the background with annuals the shortest coming toward the foreground. The trailing flax will flow over edge. Now mind you that the hole is hoped to be filled up once this is broken up for drainage and root development.
Some parts will be left poorer soil for those flowers that prefer it. One side will be rich soil and so on.

Garden morning amending the earth

2010-10-09T15:35:00.000-07:00

Many people ask me how to start their gardens.

Who needs a gym?!

Last year this was the process that began my garden extension

I recessed the main beds and transferring it to the raised bed stamping out the clumps...a water bath was used to try to soften the soil.

The North bed was salted with the amendments once the level was reached.
The compost added it will just take a bit of effort to keep breaking it up so it can get seeded.

It is looking much better.
The cucumber will get trained up the trellis and so they can be watched out the kitchen window.

Now with great interpretation I began the rigorous task of shifting the South extension bed into the center extension and to a pile out of the way.
The gecko population was awesome and the bellies were fat on all the lizards by the end of the time. The crickets and such were good feed for them all. I just love lots of lizards in my garden.

Use whatever motivation you can get!

water softened the earth as I gave it a gentle spray.

Now I considered a few more scoops of stone out of here but found myself compelled to set that South bed.

As I looked out on the yard with eyes of vision and hope it helped me not to feel too over loaded with duty.

So began I the task.
It was a challenge but I think I must be pretty stubborn
:)

The earth is being salted with these things so far.
click to image enlarge

By then I thought my elbows are going to fall off.

My husband had a brain storm and told me the way to reset the block to make it a finished edge. So I turned all of the ones that I could and got a bit to sore of the joint to do much more of it.

After water and chopping at the beds it is improving
I have only two more weeks here to get these seeds in the earth

October moon phases

2010-10-04T09:10:00.000-07:00

Today

Oct 7

New

Oct 14

First Quarter

Oct 22

Full

Oct 30
Last Quarter

Moon Planting Rule
New Moon To Full Moon:	Sow, Transplant, bud and graft.
Full Moon To New Moon:	Plow, Cultivate, weed and reap.
New Moon To First Quarter:	Good for Planting above-ground crops with outside seeds, flowering annuals.
First Quarter To Full Moon:	Good for planting above ground crops with inside seeds.
Full Moon To Last Quarter:	Good for planting root crops, bulbs, biennials, and perennials.
Last Quarter To New Moon:	Do Not Plant

International National Observe the Moon Night September 23

2010-09-18T20:36:00.000-07:00

Most folks do not know that I am a bit of a science geek. Not educated at university just lovin' to know how this old world and those around us work. I figure that this master design is not one to be neglected. The understanding of it can be a real joy.
Reading tonight I had the pleasure of reading this article on Discovery News. Fun site. Make a place on your tool bar you will not be disappointed. This may help you understand my appreciation for planting by the moon phases. Of old this wisdom practiced by those who tend the earth made gardening bode well for them. Enjoy...

International Observe the Moon Night.
InOMN has grown out of NASA's most recent missions to explore the Moon up close. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has been sending back loads of pretty pictures and gobs of new science about our nearest astronomical neighbor, and the folks at NASA hosted several outreach events. This year, they are taking the idea global, with hundreds of events where participants can observe and learn about the Moon.
Find an event nearest you using their map and listing. InOMN is having a photo contest with separate categories for beginners and those with more experience. Submissions for this end September 23rd!

Click here for the full artical

Read more as they explain why the Moon has phases, or why there just is no "dark side,"

Today Aug 24 Full Sep 1 Last Quarter Sep 8 New Sep 14 First Quarter

2010-08-22T17:22:00.001-07:00


	Sept.23 Full	Sept. 30 Last Quarter	Oct. 7 New	Sept. 14 First Quarter

Planting by the phase of the moon July/ Aug 2010 zone 8

2010-06-21T11:26:00.000-07:00

Moon Planting Rule
New Moon To Full Moon:	Sow, Transplant, bud and graft.
Full Moon To New Moon:	Plow, Cultivate, weed and reap.
New Moon To First Quarter:	Good for Planting above-ground crops with outside seeds, flowering annuals.
First Quarter To Full Moon:	Good for planting above ground crops with inside seeds.
Full Moon To Last Quarter:	Good for planting root crops, bulbs, biennials, and perennials.
Last Quarter To New Moon:	Do Not Plant

Moon Planting Examples...

A list of when and what to plant.

First quarter planting, or the time from the new moon to about half-full.
Plant annuals with above-ground yields, particularly leafy plants which produce
their seed outside the fruit.

1st Qtr. Examples:

asparagus cabbage, celery, endive, and spinach.

Second quarter planting, or the time from the half-full to the full moon.
Plant annuals that have above-ground yields which are
vining and produce seed inside the fruit.

2nd Qtr. Examples:

beans, peas, peppers, squash, eggplant, tomatoes, cucumbers.

Third quarter planting, or from the full moon to half-full.
Plant biennials, perennials, bulb and root crops. Crops which are planted
one season the produce yields the following year, trees, and shrubs.

3rd Qtr. Examples:

onions, potatoes, rhubarb, grapes, winter wheat, and berries.

Fourth quarter planting, or from half-full to new moon.

4th Qtr. Examples:

pull weeds, cultivate, destroy pests, and turn sod.

Moon Planting Wise Tales...

Plant potatoes during the "dark of the moon" is an old adage.

Plant your seeds within 48 hours before a full moon.

Do not plant on the day of the New Moon or Full Moon.

Planting by the phase of the moon April 2010

2010-04-08T10:18:00.000-07:00

Last Quarter To New Moon: Do Not Plant

Full Moon To New Moon: Plow, Cultivate, weed and reap.

New Moon April 14th

Harvesting poppy's

2010-04-08T09:59:00.000-07:00

This is the second year that the investment of $4 into poppy seed has multiplies into glory!

This is what I get to see when walking out my front door. This morning my kids wanted to go to the bus stop on their own (just 5 houses down) so I had to go harvest the poppy of course to keep my eye on them so I know they are safe on the school bus.

The poppy having exploded with bloom now have many many seed pods that have matured. It is essential to continuous blooming to harvest off the pods. Now they are called poppy for a few good reasons. When you remove the pods they literally POP off. When the pods dry they actually do pop to disperse the seed. The seed does really pop out of the pod. As the pod dries it curls and then bursts.

It was so peaceful sitting there an hour listening to the music of the bees as they enjoyed to blooms. They are so calm and I feel calm around them. I was thinking about how folks are so scared of them. They are so beautiful and duty compels them to task. They tend the pollination we so need to sustain life here. Folks just go indiscriminately killing off the living things. One day like the si-fi movies , I wonder if they will just kill it all off. No fresh harvests of fruits or vegetables no tree nuts or vines fruited. No olive trees for oil. May it never be in my grand children's life time. Fear God lest it might be in our own.
They sang to me working right along side of me. We worked peacefully together. No FEAR. Life is like that the fear all around us, waiting to see how we might respond to it...respect or destruction. Living with fear as a mentor. You see when the sun gets brighter on the flower the bees get very busy in that place, out of respect I move onto the flowers in the shade. They come to me and then move onto the places I am not. We have NO NEED to harm each other for we have mutual respect toward each other.

These are the pods, as they are harvested the plants are recharged to flower all the more for they no longer extend the energy making seed.

First of many harvests.

There is 3-4 pounds of pods = perhaps 1/4 cup of tiny poppy seed.

Think the little black seed you so often see on bread.

Now I can plant these this fall or bake with them.

However be warned that if your employer drug tests it could show a positive for opiate if you bake with poppy or even purchase breads with poppies on them. We have never had to have such labs but I have heard tales of such woes.

Those mischievous gnomes!

2010-03-30T12:46:00.000-07:00

Morning harvest

The reward of a mornings work.

Click any image to enlarge

Hens a laying...

Borage in the lettuce bed. Lots of pollinators enjoying it.

This the east facing lettuce bed. I had to take this way back.

Clippings of the flowers are in a bucket of water.

Look at the size of that stalk!

Borage in the sun...

The Swiss chard, spinach, chive, brocolli are all thriving well.

As is the margeram and camomile's at the far end.

Looking toward the west side of the shed...

The bok choy in flower (for seed) is hiding behind the other borage that was trimmed after this shot.

The celery and the beets foreground.

Bok choy seed stalks, there are several plants still growing yet.

The broccoli it is now mostly gone to seed, save for a few heads left yet on side shoots.

This seed stalk healthy is harvested to dry for nest season.

Now this like to kill me.

Yes folks those are the steel arbor sections you gave us. I saw this in my minds eye, suppose sometimes I ought not to pay attention to that minds eye but this time...well it is the cats meow

5 tomato plants here

one heirloom brandiwine

2 yellow pear

100's a salad red

one beef steak for burgers in the summer

Now flowers over here will yield many good pollinators and lots of summer tomato.

Another borage

French marigold, seed pod heads in hand are hard to see.

Harvest to scatter this week.

Kale trimmed and carrots harvested left soil to till to plant the onions.

A few here and a few down on the other side of the kale.

now a little bit of blood meal and some nice light potting soil mixed in to my well composted earth...

Onions to harvest end of summer for the fall and winter months.

I got the hoses coiled and boy is my back tired from that one. One of the many skills gained in childhood working in the family gas station. I often got stuck with that job. Taught me well though.

This guy was laughing at me and causing mischief the whole time I am sure of it!

Noticed him as I was getting ready to close the work down.

Now how did those kids get up there?

The old braniwine heirloom made it through the winter.

It was given a bit of Epsom salt and some bone meal to get the issues under control.

You see the other gnome?

this is broccoli raab seed almost ready to shell and store for next season.

Now I did this once had all of these folded after washing them. With some confusion over dew point thinking it was low temp to come one night I laid them out to cover. Now they will need attention again.

The tomato field got a good layer of chicken dung and pine shavings.

Well better get on with the day.

I have had a good 45 minute rest.

Ye ha!

Planting by the phase of the moon Febuary 2010 zone 8

2010-01-31T08:12:00.000-08:00

Full to new Jan 30 to Feb 13th Plow, Cultivate, weed and reap.

New to 1st Quarter Feb 13, to Feb 21st       Good for Planting above-ground crops with       outside seeds,
flowering annuals.

First quarter to full    Feb 21st to Feb 28th     Good for planting above ground crops with inside seeds.

Daily store of greens

2010-01-29T15:05:00.000-08:00

lettuce, corn salad

turnips harvested today

broccoli raab

kale

bok choy , celery , lettuce

celery, beets

spinach, chive

Swiss chard

Supper in the garden

Is Genetically Modified Corn Toxic?

2010-01-23T18:05:00.000-08:00

By Michael Reilly | Sat Jan 23, 2010 07:13 PM ET

In the United States, we grow and eat corn whose genes have been tweaked to make the plants more resistant to pests and pesticides. Most European countries don't, largely because the citizenry fears it isn't safe. But try as scientists might, they haven't been able to find any good reason why we shouldn't eat genetically modified (GM) food.
Until now. Maybe. A new analysis of data released by Monsanto pried from Monsanto's lawyers' cold dead hands by a tag-team of legal experts at Greenpeace and other groups suggests there may be something to the idea that we shouldn't be eating maize that's had its DNA messed with.
The study found that three strains of modded crops -- MON 810 and MON 863, which are resistant to pests, and NK 603, which is foritified to withstand weed killer -- significantly disrupted the blood chemistry of rats who ate them. According to an article in New Scientist:

With each of the three strains of maize, researchers say they found unusual concentrations of hormones and other compounds in the blood and urine of the tested rats, suggesting each strain impaired kidney and liver function. By the end of the trials, the female rats that were fed MON 863 had elevated blood-sugar levels and raised concentrations of fatty substances called triglycerides. Both are potential precursors of diabetes, according to [lead author Gilles-Eric Séralini of the University of Caen in France].

...

"What we've shown is clearly not proof of toxicity, but signs of toxicity," says Seralini. "I'm sure there's no acute toxicity, but who's to say there are no chronic effects?"

The researchers are suggesting that if the GM corn has the same affect in humans that is does in rats, we're unknowingly taxing our kidneys and livers, and probably raising the risk of damaging those organs.
But as is often the case in these type of reports, the conclusions aren't terribly convincing. For one, the effects are barely statistically significant, and the article goes on to say that independent toxicologists who saw the paper said Seralini was reading too much into the results.
So we're left with ambiguity. Terrific.
There's just one thing I want to know: why do activist groups have to team up to force Monsanto to release tests showing whether or not GM food is toxic? Shouldn't food have to be demonstrably NON-poisonous before anyone is allow to start feeding it to people??
Source: New Scientist
Image: Texas A&M University

"Least-known Bird" Has Been Found

2010-01-20T10:40:00.000-08:00

Researchers at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) have found the breeding area of the elusive large-billed reed warbler. That's a big deal, because according to BirdLife International, the species is the world's "least-known bird."

The distinction may sound ominous, but it's also impressive considering the amount of time that has gone between warbler sightings. After the first specimen was discovered in India in 1867, it took well over a hundred years to find the second -- another single bird found in Thailand in 2006.

Christmas eve in the garden

2009-12-26T14:50:00.000-08:00

The Oranges over the wall are ready

I met the new neighbor who cut down the old fig tree and who will also be taking down the orange and a lemon tree. Good news of it is she said I could harvest the fruit.

Dash gathered some for Christmas dinner

Remembering to feed the wild birds is an act of kindness.

The wild foods are now parking lots and stores.

So They come to visit me and eat all the bad guys out of the garden as a thank you to me.

The broccoli raab is flowering and Dash gave it a try.

The face actually changed after he ate it and he likes it.

Better than the store bought for sure.

He also discovered kale and loved it too.

A radish harvest to serve at Christmas dinner.

As I sat in the rocker and trimmed the greens the dogs beg the imperfects and the trimming of the greens are a delight to the hens.

This they just love

At last a product to use for the powdery mildew.

Now perfume soap.

The zucchini is suffering it.

Carrots are thiving in their underground cave.

The freezes are being kept away as I blanket it all every nigh.

It is like having babies again.

These are hung on the line to dry when the rains soak them or the dew refuses to dry.

I had a fun visitor in my garden with me we had a wonderful time of friendship.

I love having friends over who enjoy time in the garden with me.

My family gave me a family of gnomes for Christmas

Too fun!

good news on Eddie and Denise

2009-12-25T15:05:00.001-08:00

Christ mas
Miracles are a part of the greatest story ever lived

Dear Ones
A very exhausted over joyed Denise called to tell us all...
Some how :)
Eddie has full conscientiousness.
He is with us cognitively.
His legs yet effected but the seizures did not take him.

He was sitting before her talking to her.

She with all and deepest gratitude thanks each and every one of you for your prayers.
Pray for her heart.
Her sister was unkind, Denise is wounded by the ill treatment that she was shown.

She is however rejoicing as I have instructed her to let her spirit and mind rejoice and worship but to let her body rest and be still.
She has not slept for several days and has also been ill.
I will keep you updated as I am.
Thank you all
Donetta

c

2009-12-25T08:52:00.001-08:00

Good Morning A Blessed Christmas
Eddie is alive this Morning your prayers were so embraced.

Update

I just received a call from Denise.
The torment of the last few hours has been excruciating for her.
She discribes the events as the worst thing that she has ever seen.

Her sister arrived last night, she is also a diabetic.
Denise ended up in the ER her blood sugar spiked and she was vomiting .
As soon as she would ease the same thing began with her sister.
Eddie was in a room and she could not get to him for the ER would not let her.
She convienced them not to admit her and to just let her see her husband and that that would ease her distress.
Eddies blood pressure spiked I mean really spiked!
At one point she got released from the ER and got back to him.
He was awake, unable to walk without a walker.
Dragging his legs.
She saw he was sweating so she got a cloth.
As she turned he said that he felt he was going to vomit and just at the very moment he fell back into her arms and began to seize they called in a trauma team and resesitated him.
She was ask to leave the room to a waiting room where her sister then fell ill to high blood sugar levels and DENISE had to car for her.

I have told Denise to ask a nurse to tell her sister to leave.
Eddies people are coming, I told Denise to have the nurse talk with them and tell them that your strength is limited and to not ask her all the details.
I told Denise that each time she repeats it it is like being punched in the heart.

She has not been able to stay with Eddie, only allowed to go in ever few hours.
He has been sleeping she has not seen him conscious sense before the seizures.

I am tempted to take up a fund and see if we can fly me out there and rent a car to be with her.
Steve has off till the 4th. I would have child care. The funding is an issue. I am in Arizona.
Please continue to pray.
I read several of your comments to her a few moments ago and it really strengthened her spirit.
Thank you all for your continued prayers.
Donetta at A Life Uncommon

Urgent Prayer For Eddie (Love Bug)

2009-12-23T18:52:00.001-08:00

Urgent Prayer For Eddie (Love Bug)

I am typing this for Denise of Shortybears Place she is on the phone with me now

Eddie has had a stroke and is in hospital under observation. They were unable to get the stroke medication in time. So far they have done a CAT scan and a MRI and other test are being awaiting . His leg is effected. He is able to speak. This is written at 9:30 p.m. TN time

He is in Memorial Hospital Chattanooga TN. She is alone so if any friends are able please consider coming to her side. He is being moved to room momentarily.

This is written by Donetta of A Life Uncommon and she can be reached through me.

Harvested the Brandywine Heirloom Tomatoes

2009-12-10T17:13:00.000-08:00

Harvested the Brandywine Heirloom Tomatoes because we have another hard freeze tonight and they are splitting. Look at the size of those toms and they are a good 3 inches tall.
They will ripen on the counter.

1200 feet above sea leveal HARD FREEZE TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-12-04T18:34:00.001-08:00

cover um' up!

Soft freeze tonight cover them plants up

2009-12-03T18:59:00.001-08:00

By saving old fabric scraps and buying old sheets at a thrift shop your plants can get well tucked in for tne night.
My husband had the camera. It is so cute seeing the beds made for the crops.

Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T07:17:00.001-08:00

Poem: Giving Thanks
Anonymous

For the hay and the corn and wheat that is reaped,
For the labor well done, and the barns that are heaped,
For the sun and the dew and the sweet honeycomb,
For the rose and the song, and the harvest brought home —

Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

For the trade and the skill and the wealth in our land,
for the cunning and strength of the workingman's hand,
For the good that our artists and poets have taught,
For the friendship that hope and affection have brought —

Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

For the homes that with purest affection are blest,
For the season of plenty and well deserved rest,
for our country extending from sea to sea,
The land that is known as the "Land of the Free" —

Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

Garden tour

2009-11-22T17:38:00.000-08:00

To the left hanging is spearmint, next to it is rosemary

below peas then beans to the right outer row.

Turnips to the left behind the peas

broccoli raab behind it then the pumpkin vine and the squash above it.

zucchini and cucumber to the right

the pan squash to the right.

Needs the tending for the powdery mildew is at issue

Cucumber in the middle is not happy...must research what it is asking for.

Pickling cucumber is happy.

Just like bumps on a pickle Marsha

I turned around the carrot/radish/leek/parsnip bed is happy.

The kale at the end and a new batch of radish is started.

To the right the row of beans on the edge and the broccoli raab center, some rosemary for bees too.

farther right my first french marigold has smiled upon me.

the pumpkin vine given some Epsom salts today

More beans to harvest.

The winter onions are up, the radish here are called Easter egg for they are varied in color.

I transplanted the other heirloom far back and the close tomato is a teardrop yellow that I got this week and transplanted into a larger pot. It is an heirloom and I found it at a Wal-mart of all places.

The broccoli here is slow it is in need of something?

I must do the research next week

the basil is happy

I love the green!

far left cauliflower,Swiss card, shallots, spinach, flowers of narcissism and zinnia

far right green onions, black seed Simpson lettuce, sage, borage,

back row left to right

dill, flowers above, beets,celery, bok choy, chives

borage in cubes, romaine, cobb salad

scarlet runner beans

Heirloom brandy wine tomato, bell peppers green then orange

green bell

Check out the garden shed!

some store bough flowers that are stressed lobella I think

well there you have it a few weeks in.

This moon phase Nov / Dec 09

2009-11-17T18:53:00.000-08:00

new moon

Nov 24 first quarter

Dec 2 full

Dec 8 last

Dec 16th new

New Moon To Full Moon:	Sow, Transplant, bud and graft.
Full Moon To New Moon:	Plow, Cultivate, weed and reap.
New Moon To First Quarter:	Good for Planting above-ground crops with outside seeds, flowering annuals.
First Quarter To Full Moon:	Good for planting above ground crops with inside seeds.
Full Moon To Last Quarter:	Good for planting root crops, bulbs, biennials, and perennials.
Last Quarter To New Moon:	Do Not Plant

Water spicket is now at proper height

2009-11-04T20:15:00.000-08:00

Leave your garden with a sweet lovin husband who wants to give you the moon.

See what he did for me.

Now with the knee issues and the spinal stinosis I have a hard time bending down every day to the spicket. Additionally the water source was on the other side of the house and I have been dragging a hose.

He set up a bib on the side for the south extension and two one this side one for the soaked and another for the spray.

My garden was designed along side the water main for the house.

Yes this was the dumbest way the builder set our main line but we made lemon aid out of that rotten fruit. Using the location to our advantage my husband tapped directly into the line and set up water to the garden. Now I no longer have that extra effort to extend and the ease that this will afford me will really make a daily difference. It will really save me a lot of time every morning too.

Look no bending and it is a perfectly easy reach with nothing blocking the access.

Oh this is just wonderful~

First fruits of 2009 fall garden

2009-10-27T11:29:00.000-07:00

I came home from a trip to Florida yesterday to find a reward for all my hard work.

radish,cherry tomato, pan squash and basil

YUM!

Moon Phase for planting October/November 2009

2009-10-18T12:15:00.000-07:00

New Moon To Full Moon: 10/18/09-11/2/09	Sow, Transplant, bud and graft.
Full Moon To New Moon: 11/2/09-	11/16-09	Plow, Cultivate, weed and reap.
New Moon To First Quarter:10/18-10/25	Good for Planting above-ground crops with outside seeds, flowering annuals.
First Quarter To Full Moon:10/25-11/5	Good for planting above ground crops with inside seeds.
Full Moon To Last Quarter:11/5-11-9	Good for planting root crops, bulbs, biennials, and perennials.
Last Quarter To New Moon:11/9-11/16	Do Not Plant

Planting by moon phase...New Moon To First Quarter: Good for Planting above-ground crops with outside seeds, flowering annuals.

2009-10-18T11:50:00.000-07:00

Good Sunday to you

follow your vision

With the coffee grounds to compost

the ground egg shell, oatmeal and bread heals to chicken set off to task am I.

WRONG...I thought it was time

to plant the bulbs, perennials and biannual and those plants that seed above ground this is correct.
boy did I get mixed up!
Oh well! :)
They are now in!
Onion and per/biannual well say a prayer and hope for the best.
opps!

The new plot dug out has been tri trenched...

Companion planting...

Chives for the peas...

This is the newest bed on the west side of the shed in the shade of the gazebo

Sage and chive in the squares around the lettuces

This is the east facing bed

The sage in the squares...

The chive between the bok choy and the lettuce/onion rows

keep aphids away.

the pots were soaked in the dogs pool

the absorption is a better way to moisten the soil.

Lemon balm (tomato on the otherside of the rain barrel love it)

on one side planter.

The trailing rosemary to the left is favored by the brocolli in the raised bed

pollinators are drawn by it.

Keeping records

2009-10-16T10:58:00.000-07:00

The final (for today ha!) Master plan for 2009 fall

A mirroring bed has been added to the otherside of the shed with trellis for both shed walls.

Click to enlarge

Seets to sprouts!

2009-09-29T07:25:00.000-07:00

click image to enlarge them

A garden tour gave me great hope yesterday the plants were still alive
The celery made it through transplant and the heat of the day.

This morning the beets gave ruby hope to crops in the harvest of all this hard labor...
Planted 7 days...after soaking the seeds in water overnight

Yesterday the turnips were also part of the cure.
Indeed life goes on.
Planted 7 days before germination.

Under umbrellas the radish wished me good day yesterday and show growth in even this one day, planted 7 days ago

Joyfully the pan squash have survived under the sheet my MILove gave us.
I used it to give the shade that kept life in the 107* temperatures.

The radish delineate the parsnip row, but it will be weeks perhaps before the parsnips begin their assent to the heavens and the decent to the depths of long healthy root.

It is a joy and a encouragement to see life come to
BEE BLISS to me.
It has been a long way way too long hot summer.
This summer began with a goal for a garden extension.
The goal in progress is come to success!
I have kept my vision.

Moon phases Sept 25, to Oct 1, 2009

2009-09-24T17:09:00.000-07:00

September 25th ....We have until October 1 st
(two days before a full moon)

to get planted everything that fruits above ground
seed in pod
and flowering annuals.

Second quarter planting, or the time from the half-full to the full moon.
Plant annuals that have above-ground yields which are
vining and produce seed inside the fruit.

New Moon To Full Moon: Sow, Transplant, bud and graft.

Full Moon Oct 3rd

I'll need to get the rest of the flowers and the celery in tonight

Arizona fall garden

2009-09-24T12:09:00.000-07:00

My moon phase was a little off but I went with it due to the lateness of the season.
This was a long hot summer here.
I lost 4 weeks.

I was able to get a full truck bed load of compost at a farm for 20$
If you can find horse rather than cow manure you do well...
It is a much better balanced nitrogen without so much salt in it.
That right bed is the root bed dug down 12 inched and screened, no rock, no clod just
"let my roots spread out"
sorta finery

So we began this first cool morn of the fall.
A Wednesday.
This is what I began with.
Soup to mix as it were the soils and compost, amendments of 10-10-10- and peat moss for the root bed. Carrots and the like want a good 50% of it if you can swing it. They just love peat moss. Get the good stuff see the last post.

This is all that was left after the beds had the added levels and the raised beds of the extension were filled. This will be used to hill up the leek as it grows ever so slowly 120 crop.
The South extension bed is a High Nitrogen bed so the thick load of composted manure/straw and grass was the perfect thing some of the clod is in it too. It is hoped that the moisture with the watering of it will break them down.

All the former straw mulch raked out and the compost was added in its stead and dug in a bit.
The cucumber to be replanted soon.
Some of the pan squash is beginning to bloom.

A thick layer of the compost added all around the giant pumpkin and the other winter squash.

Not just one corn cob in the mix was found.
Good to see real life in this compost.
Everything but the cob rotted down.
All of this stirred and mixed very well.
This a LOW nitrogen bed the amendments were light see old post...the 10-10-10- and the other things were already melted into the mix from days and watering before.

Now the raised beds full must be turned and prepared with the final mix as per the needs of those things yet to plant.

The bails of straw that were the garden wall last season will this year don the tomato plants.
This will cover the tank and also raise them higher for me to harvest.
Much easier on my back.
Using a spade and a hand rake the center was dug out a bit.
Then compost and peat moss was tapped into the hollow.
Watering it and feeding the soil will come after to have them ready come the spring.

By setting up a work table my life was made easier.
It was nice to be with the dogs and the birds, they especially thought so.

A nice glass of soy milk and coffee a huge glass of ice water and all the books, charts and seeds set me up for success.

Enjoying my coffee the almanac was pursued and the plans began to be set into motion.
What to plant, when and where.
It all came together but then the temperature was tipping up toward 90* and I had to stop.
All the seeds that had to be soaked were brought in with my dishes and it was time to cool off.

Today began I with the seeds at the ready.
Day 2

The seeds that were soaked were
Carrot
Parsnip
Pea
Beans

The inoculate is on try to set with the bean and pea seeds.
It is a black granular thing.

So this morning with seeds soaked I set out to task.

Peas were an the agenda
I am going to be bold and do this over.
This time the soil got a load of good compost and the whole thing dug in real well.
Then the inoculate peppered over the top of it and dug in.
Fine tilled it all with the rotary wheel on the hand held pole.

All the lumps gone and the dirt soft and well broken down...

Two trenches of seed stagger two inches apart

center is bare 1/2 cover

Between the rows pea poles I made from the tree our front when I trimmed it.
We just removed the leaves and sun dried the wood.

Tip
Put water in the carrot seed and swirl it will pour out down the row controlled...

This the roots
back trench for Leek
Then mixed Parsnip and radish every 4 inches down the row.
Carrots for cooking
Carrots for the children to munch
Radish between carrot rows for salads

There is a little 1x3 at path edge on the left for some salad greens.
The left south corner yet to throw the pick and screen the soil.
Lots of rocks there.
I hope to tend to it after the south bed gets planted.
It will hopefully get cooler by then.

All the stones now removed from my path those bare foot days are ahead with the straw underfoot a soft step to the earth.

Pan summer squash bloom teased me this morning.

A waxed china marker was used to mark the wooden stakes...

The beets and dill will go here the next in the morning.

Celery needs to get in too.

Outdoor Wedenesday

2009-09-16T10:49:00.000-07:00

Built for me was a screened frame. It can be used several ways. This on a bit heavy just due to the wood we had at hand to use. (use what you have).
Some of these are put on a frame that has rocking legs...
The trick is to break up the earth the day you dig or turn it. Once it dries out you have a bit more of an issue. That was learned this year the hard way:)

Making a rock free tilth for root vegetable bed

Using a pick first I picked down 12 inches. This is for the carrots. One day the yams may also be grown here as well as potatoes. The soil clods then broken up a bit I used the hand held part of my hoe tool (the long handle is removable) to scrape the dirt back and forth. By hand removing any and all stones. This bed is purposely being made for my root veggies.
Using the spade shovel I dug out the picked loose soil and clods tossed them to the right. Working in the hollow created I then screened the dirt. Once all stone and the small soil partials were removed I chopped a bit against the frame to get any other easily broken down clods to soil.

All of the clods were either down to tilth or removed.
Once the soil was screened it was shoveled over to the left and just kept rising there as I worked in a hollow moving from left to right and then piling all the huge clods left and the good earth right.
All for happy carrots and root crops.
.I then added two buckets moss, 2 buckets vermiculite and two of horse manure/mulch mix.
Made a good ol' soup of it and filled in the hole.
Leveling it off as I went.

This to use in building up the raised beds in the extension.
I did not want to bring in outside dirt.
We have scorpions in the desert...I have been very blessed not to have them.
The left over clods to the wheel barrow to toss into the raised bed. This is fine for the raised beds are for those brocades that are fruiting above ground. This a good root hold is fine and the clods will break down over time.

Once the heat got me and the time was to stop

Now a glass of ice water later I am cooled and the row has a good 2-3 feet more done on it. I have three more days of the lunar cycle to just tend to soil.
Thank God the temps have come down a little . I was able to work until 10:30 today.

The research to amend the earth per the needs of my root crop is still to be rehashed
... for I forgot What I learned
:(

Water harvesting first use! YA!

2009-09-08T11:14:00.000-07:00

According to this the weather issues would of been avoided had I one of these little book. It tells better of when to plant here and even includes the moon phases.
A lot of work was done by me to study the phase of the moon for gardening. From now on I think that this will become a yearly tool.

close up of the Assembly for the tank spicket.
He set this up facing the ground as to keep me from being struck in my leg as I walk by it.

The bib is now set on the main tank
tip here a bit of Vaseline helped to cinch the parts no leak at the valve YA!!

I left the slow trickle for 5-7 minutes here.

start point
After 5-7 minutes and just the one set of squash the tank came down to the 200 liter mark.
After watering the pumpkin and the spaghetti squash.

So it looks like 150 liters is the usage for the things growing now..

It is so wonderful not to have to drag the hose around!

Over at the main bib we set up a 4 point bib (found it in the garden clearance $6.)and it will be wonderful!

The main hose will stay over on the harvesting tank

A new 50 ft. hose (got it for $7 ya! on clearance) will be used for the dogs water.
One for the compost, one for the hens and the other left open to keep for direct use.

Outdoor Wedenesday

2009-09-02T10:32:00.000-07:00

This morning the garden called may name loudly
With a pitiful "save me"!

Our heat has been over the top.
As have gone the rain clouds...over the top of our neighborhood and onto the next!
92* with 32% humidity got to me and after two hours I started to throw up...
OPPS.
Inside went I to a cool shower a glass of water then another of carrot juice and I sit here a limp rag of a gardener imagining that I am with you dear Southerners in the sweet cool of your fall.

Working under the gazebo The pile of debris into the tin barrel to clear up the ground.
This iron bed frame was free on craigs list.
It was around the tank but as I was taking the hose back to the main yard I fell into the gap in the earth where we removed some of the concrete and brick boarder.
I think It will get set here after all.
I need to keep my knee safer.
Oh I am alright a little sore from twisting it a bit I think it is alright.

After watering, working the mulch straw around the plants and finishing up the 8 foot of bed I did.
The umbrellas were set for the heat of the day.

All of the straw that was in the extension space is now moved under the wheel barrow.
It is decomposing and will continue to be put to good use.

Now that area is clear so The work on that South bed can commence.
The main extension bed is 3/4 full and well decomposed.
To plant toward the end of the month.

That silk tree so beautiful
Well when it was inside my home the Lab lifted leg on it and spoiled it.
Needless to say he is an outside dog now.
Well anyway it was a gift from my MILove
It will searve me well to keep the compost and the storage can disguised.
The left over two straw bails are a nice sitting spot to rest in the shade.

This had a big problem.
Bermuda grass...no way except poison to kill it...or perhaps I have a good idea here.

That 8 foot span is screened and till with horse manure, bone meal, humus, 10-10-10, composted straw. I watered it and then went back and used the hoe to turn it again.

summer squash is still alive...
The Lab broke the water bottle to the dog bowl...
idea...I filled it and as the soaked filled the bed the jar leaked more slowly to water there. I think in principle it will serve well as a feeder jar or for compost tea later.

zucchini to the right and the spaghetti squash to the left
Some cosmos may have survived.

Pumpkin

Two lone bean plants survived

Two or three corn and a pea plant...

but the heat and drought got the better of my garden so far...
The earth is just to hot and I lost

cucumber
chive
carrot
raddish
corn
bean
pea
sunflower
a good $15. in seed to replace arg!

The soil temps matter more than anything the almanacs may tell you.

The straw pile moved it is much nicer out there.

I raked the grounds under the gazebo and had to call it a day or die.
Probably no joke for I got a bit of sun stroke this morning.

OH FOR FALL!!!!!!!!!

2009-08-20T13:28:00.000-07:00

HERB CULTURE AND USE

COMMON NAME *Scientific Name*	Plant Height	Spacing	Cultural Hints	Uses
ANNUALS
BASILS Ocimum species	20-24"	12"	Grow from seed. Sun when crushed. Purple variety is a good accent plant.	Use in anything with tomatoes. Insect repellent.
BORAGE Borago officinalis	24"	12"	Grow from seed, self-sowing. Best in dry, sunny areas.	Young leaves in salads for cucumber flavor.
CHERVIL Anthriscus cerefolium	10"	3-6"	Sow in early spring. Partial shade.	Aromatic leaves used in soups & salads. Chef's favorite.
CORIANDER Coriandrum sativum	24"	18"	Grow from seed. Sow in spring in sun or partial shade.	Seed used in confections, leaves in salad oriental & eastern food.
DILL Anethum graveolens	24-36"	12"	Grow from seed sown in early spring. Sun or partial shade.	Feathery foliage and seeds used in flavoring and pickling.
PARSLEY Petroselinum species	6"	6"	Grow from seed started in early spring. Slow to germinate. Sun. Biennial.	Brings out flavor of other herbs. Fine base & seasoning. High in vitamin C.
PERENNIALS
CATNIP Nepeta cataria	3-4 ft.	18"	Hardy, sun or shade. Grow from seed or by division.	Leaves for soothing tea.
CHIVES, GARLIC CHIVES Allium species	12"	12"	Little care. Divide when overcrowded. Grow from seed or division	Favorite of chefs. Good indoor pot plant. Cut long strands at base; Mild onion or garlic flavor.
FRENCH TARRAGON Artemisia dracunculus	24"	24"	Sun or semi-shade. Grow from cuttings or division.	Aromatic seasoning; principle flavor in bearnaise sauce; great with fish or chicken
LAVENDER Lavandula species	24"	18"	Propagate from cuttings. Grows in dry, rocky, sunny locations with plenty of lime in soil. Require pH 6.5 to 7.2	Use flowers & leaves for sachets, potpourri.
LEMON VERBENA Aloysia triphylla	36"	36"	Tender perennial; propagate from cuttings. Sun or partial shade.	Strongest lemon scent. Leaves used in teas or in lemon-based potpourri.
LOVAGE Levisticum officnale	3-4 ft.	30"	Rich, most soil. Grow from seed planted in late summer. Sun or partial shade.	Of the carrot family; strong celery flavor.
MINTS Mentha species	1-3 ft.	18"	Grow from cuttings or division. Sun or partial shade.	Aromatic; used as flavoring. Unusual varieties include orange, blue balsam, ginger, chocolate.
OREGANO Origanum species	24"	9"	Grow from seed, cuttings or division. Sun.	Flavoring for tomato dishes & pasta.
ROSEMARY Rosmarinus species	3-6 ft.	12"	Grows in well-drained, nonacid soil from cuttings. Sun. Marginally hardy; plant in protected site.	Leaves flavor sauces, poultry, meats, rice, and soups. Good for topiary, bonsai.
SAGE Salvia species	18"	12"	From seed or cuttings. Sun. Renew every 3 to 4 years.	Seasoning for meats especially pork; herb teas.
THYME Thymus species	8-12"	12"	Light soil, well-drained. Renew every 2 to 3 years. Grow from cuttings or division. Sun.	Aromatic foliage for seasoning meats, soups, sauces, and dressings. Many varieties including lemon, orange, nutmeg, and woolly.

soil temperatures

2009-08-20T13:02:00.000-07:00

SOIL TEMPERATURE CONDITION FOR VEGETABLE SEED GERMINATION¹

VEGETABLE MIN.
(°F) RANGE
(°F) OPTIMUM
(°F) MAX
(°F) DAYS TO
GERMINATION

ASPARAGUS^a 50° 60° - 85° 75° 95° 21 - 30

BEAN^d 60° 60° - 85° 80° 95° 7 - 14

BEAN LIMA^e 60° 65° - 85° 85° 85° 10 - 14

BEET^b 40° 50° - 85° 85° 95° 7 - 14

CABBAGE^{a, b} 40° 45° - 95° 85° 100° 7 - 10

CARROT^b 40° 45° - 85° 80° 95° 10 - 21

CAULIFLOWER^{a, b} 40° 45° - 85° 80° 100° 3 - 10

CELERY^a 40° 60° - 70° 70° 85° 14 - 21

CHARD SWISS^b 50° 50° - 85° 85° 95° 7 - 14

CORN^d 50° 60° - 95° 95° 105° 7 - 10

CUCUMBER^{c, d} 60° 75° - 95° 95° 105° 7 - 10

EGGPLANT^c 60° 40° - 80° 85° 95° 7 - 12

LETTUCE^a 35° 40° - 80° 75° 85° 7 - 14

MUSKMELON^e 60° 75° - 95° 90° 100° 7 - 10

OKRA^e 60° 70° - 95° 95° 105° 8 - 12

ONION^a 35° 50° - 95° 75° 95° 10 - 14

PARSLEY^b 40° 50° - 85° 75° 90° 10 - 21

PARSNIP^b 35° 50° - 70° 65° 85° 14 - 21

PEA^b 40° 40° - 75° 75° 85° 8 - 10

PEPPER^c 60° 65° - 95° 85° 95° 14 - 21

PUMPKIN^d 60° 70° - 90° 95° 100° 7 - 10

RADISH^b 40° 45° - 90° 95° 95° 3 - 7

SPINACH^b 35° 45° - 75° 70° 85° 7 - 10

SQUASH^d 60° 70° - 95° 95° 100° 9 - 12

TOMATO^c 59° 60° - 85° 85° 95° 5 - 14

TURNIP^b 40° 60° - 105° 85° 105° 6 - 7

WATERMELON^e 60° 70° - 95° 95° 105° 7 - 10

¹Compiled by J.F. Harrington, Dept. of Vegetable Crops, University of California, Davis.
²Daily fluctuation to 60° or lowers at night is essential

^aHardy vegetables to grow as transplants.
^bHardy vegetables for direct seeding.
^cTender vegetables to grow as transplants.
^dTender vegetables for direct seeding.
^eTender vegetables for direct seeding, 2 weeks after last frost.

Planting alterations!

2009-08-20T08:26:00.000-07:00

This week Aug 21-26
( Aug 20 is the new moon never plant on the day of the new moon)
plant....seed...
Borage seed East bed
Marigold seed East bed
Dill seed (bed not ready plant Sept 18-20) South bed extension East corner
Annuals seed
Lettuce seed indoors to transplant Sept 18 th

Aug 27-Sept 3th
Sweet Corn seed Sept 2&3 Center Main
Popping Corn seed Sept 2&3 Center Main

Sept 4-10
weed/cultivate/reap/plow
Get South bed finished
Get East Bed ready down to till for root crop

Plant
Sept 3-10
Beet seed ( must get ready can be done Oct 3-11, 17-25) South bed extension East corner
Parsnip seed (bed must get ready) East bed
Leek seed ( must turn it) Center Extention

Sept 4-24 plant
Radish seed (main garden must go down to till) East bed
Sweet William seed

Sept 18-24
Transplant
Sept 19-24
Plant
(Never plant on a full moon)
Parsley(soak seed over night) East bed
Kale seed East bed
Parsnips (again) seed East bed
Radish (again) seed East bed
Basil seed in ground ( or put in the transplants Sept 18-30) East bed
Turnip seed East bed
Carrot seed East bed
Snap Dragon seed
Broccoli seed Center Extension bed
Leek (again) seed Center Extension bed
Broccoli raab seed Center Extension bed
Beet (again) seed South bed extension East corner
Swiss chard seed South bed extension
Spinach seed South bed extension
Dill (again) seed South bed extension East corner
Bok Choy seed South bed extension
Sage seed South bed extension
Thyme seed South bed extension
Cauliflower seed South bed extension
Mache corn salad seed (broad cast)
Lettuce seed
Alyssum seed

DO NOT PLANT
Sept 11-17
weed/cultivate/reap/plow

Oct. 1&2
Plant seed
Above ground with inside seed

Oct 3-11, 17-25
Radish seed East bed
Turnip seed East bed
Carrot East bed

plant onion seed Center Extension bed

Beet seed South bed extension

Oct 19-25
Cauliflower seed South bed extension

Oct 12-16
DO NOT PLANT
weed/cultivate/reap/plow

Aug 20
Seed to sow indoors
Celery to go out in 6-8 weeds?
Lettuce indoors to go out in Sept 18th-30th
Basil indoors East bed

Last night I studied the planting dates and the moon phases. I made a calender of sorts.
My own almanac. Remember the old Farmers Almanacks .?...I understand now...
This is sorta tricky stuff. Hard to wrap the brain around.
I now have my calender for this zone...1200 ft. above sea level...

The New Moon is today.
This is my schedule for the next 10 weeks I will try to explain...

My process was this

1. I marked all the seeds with the elevation proper dates to plant
2. Then I labeled the calendar color coded as to the moon phase indicators.
3. I went back and adjusted the plant date to correspond with the moon phase indicators.
4.In doing that I paid attention to the type of plant

a. above seed in
b. above seed out
c. root or bulb
d. transplant or sow
e. plant indoors....here I took back the plant in ground seed or plant and calculated the date to put the transplant in ground and will set indoors those that are applicable.

The new gate

2009-08-18T12:31:00.000-07:00

Each section has a spick in the ground with the pole holding the two together

The post hole is set so the post is just above ground so the whole does not fill in with earth.
At the gate the method was that by lifting up the pole out of the post sunken into the earth...

The tightened washer set to stop just as the pole clears the hole...

set the pole down and into the hole.
It swings open , both gates if needed for the wheel barrow.

He did a nice job of it.
Thank you Sweetie!

Garden Plans for this month Arizona Desert 1200 ft. and Moon Phase

2009-08-17T21:56:00.000-07:00

Moon Planting Rule
New Moon To Full Moon:	Sow, Transplant, bud and graft.
Full Moon To New Moon:	Plow, Cultivate, weed and reap.
New Moon To First Quarter:	Good for Planting above-ground crops with outside seeds, flowering annuals.
First Quarter To Full Moon:	Good for planting above ground crops with inside seeds.
Full Moon To Last Quarter:	Good for planting root crops, bulbs, biennials, and perennials.
Last Quarter To New Moon:	Do Not Plant

Last QTR.
The next three days to get the beds finished
pull weeds, cultivate, destroy pests, and turn sod, set the liner and find more block , mix the sand in and have the extension south bed ready...

set seed in starters indoors for...Onions,Tomatoes,peppers, celery? research
Ready the beds for lettuce? Out front???
Research those item up coming whether to do starters indoors
Get arbor painted and have Steve set it and weld it. Dig holes for grapes
Finish removing the stone under bedroom window and begin to dig out the soil to amend and do a flower listing
flower starters for nest month?
Starters of herbs for the root bed?
Marigold starters

New Moon Aug 20 to ~first Qtr Aug 26th
by Thursday the 20th 1st Qtr. Examples: I need to have the beds ready to plant the ....cabbage, celery, endive, and spinach Lettuce (also in pots?) Flowering annuals

27th Aug Qtr. Sept 3rd
Examples: to sow/transplant the beans, peas, peppers,
squash (done), eggplant (not for me), tomatoes a must :), cucumbers (done).

Full Moon Sept 4th ~to last Qtr Sept 11th
3rd Qtr. Examples: then the onions , potatoes (timing)?, rhubarb (some day), grapes (save up for the plants) consider the planting of for this year$$$, winter wheat (not me), and berries (next year?) or later in the winter I need to do more research Carrots YES ME and those that follow leeks, turnips, rutabaga, radish, parsnips. Marigolds here, borage, parsley

Sept 11 last Qtr. Do not plant...
Ready the floor beds...
feed the lawn
pull weeds, cultivate, destroy pests, and turn sod

goodness this is confusing!!!!!

Now not all items listed are ready here in our zone at 1200 ft.

Planting by the moon

2009-08-11T17:25:00.000-07:00

A More Detailed Set of Moon Planting Rules...

Moon Planting Rule
New Moon To Full Moon:	Sow, Transplant, bud and graft.
Full Moon To New Moon:	Plow, Cultivate, weed and reap.
New Moon To First Quarter:	Good for Planting above-ground crops with outside seeds, flowering annuals.
First Quarter To Full Moon:	Good for planting above ground crops with inside seeds.
Full Moon To Last Quarter:	Good for planting root crops, bulbs, biennials, and perennials.
Last Quarter To New Moon:	Do Not Plant

Moon Planting Examples...

A list of when and what to plant.

First quarter planting, or the time from the new moon to about half-full.
Plant annuals with above-ground yields, particularly leafy plants which produce
their seed outside the fruit.

1st Qtr. Examples:

asparagus cabbage, celery, endive, and spinach.

Second quarter planting, or the time from the half-full to the full moon.
Plant annuals that have above-ground yields which are
vining and produce seed inside the fruit.

2nd Qtr. Examples:

beans, peas, peppers, squash, eggplant, tomatoes, cucumbers.

3rd Qtr. Examples:

onions, potatoes, rhubarb, grapes, winter wheat, and berries.

Fourth quarter planting, or from half-full to new moon.

4th Qtr. Examples:

pull weeds, cultivate, destroy pests, and turn sod.

Planting center bed main garden

2009-08-07T09:18:00.000-07:00

Good morning
So this day begins with planting a trellis to grow the winter squash vertically.
After watching several U Tube video's This sounds like a great way to go.
The trellis still needs a little repair but it is in. It will yet need to be secured and made to be a little more sound for the squash will become very heavy.
The trellis was a gift from my husbands folks...

Study! now the summer squash do not need to have the seeds soaked overnight
However the winter do, as do the peas and beans.

Center bed has a long list of seeds going in.

Beginning far north center bed.
the sunflowers went in yesterday...
Then

Squash Winter Vegetable Spaghetti cucurbita maxima HEIRLOOM
90 days due....
Some sprouted Aug 13

The other side of the trellis will be
Butternut a gift from the earth last year unknown variety

The hill is
Pumpkin big Max Cucurbita maxima
120 day due.....
Sprouted Aug 13

Down center three rows 12 inches apart
Corn Sweet (se) Bodacious Lea Mays var rugosa (hybird)
75 days Due....
A few sprouted Aug 13

Outer edge along both long sides
Cosmo Bright Lights Blend Cosmos Sulphureus
HEIRLOOM
Three foot tall butterflies

Outer edge to the right (e)
Bean Pole Blue Lake Phaseolus vulgaris
60 days due....
Some more to transplant soaked and inoculated in kitchen widow sill still growing Aug 16

Front of bed on pea poles
Pea Shelling Progress #9 Pisum sativum HEIRLOOM
58 day due 2nd wk of Oct.
Not planted yet still growing in inoculate at window sill to be transplanted
Aug 16th

Under the peas
Turnip Purple Top White Globe Brassisa rapa HEIRLOOM
50 day due last wk of Sept.
Not planted yet

Undecided due to space
carrot and radish

chopped the clods and mixed int the mulch/manure

mixed in compost too

Gardeners gold!
This is a good yield happily
It was a bit too neglected during the bad heat...

so rich!

Here I amended again with my mixture (see yesterdays post) NO NITROGEN this is a low nitro bed.

Using the window This image shoes the corn row ending.

The cosmos will keep the corn safe and add pollinators
*BEE BLISS*

Going on three hours of labor and the heat is too much for me.

Peas, squash and beans
seeds to soak overnight.
Tomorrow is another day in the garden this one is heading inside.

Cucumber,squash,radish to seed,carrot,chive and basil with nasturtiums around. Sunflowers at head of center bed to shade.

2009-08-06T09:55:00.000-07:00

Well there ya go them's the plans for the far north bed of the main plot
:)
The soil has had a load of horse manure and mulch mix.
Earth was turned and broken up.
Levels were made and a recessed bed established for water conservation.
This is a low nitrogen bed

Time for seed.
My dead line for planting this bed was 8/15
It is in on 8/6
hooah!

On Monday I gleaned the free page of craigs list found mulch and then found horse manure all for free.
A little gas for the truck and a lot of sweat and effort.
My Darling husband helped me night before last to empty the truck
Our method was two parts mulch in the wheelbarrow and then one of the bags of manure. Two more parts mulch mixed in the wheel barrow.
As he was doing that I took fork to earth and turned and hoe to earth to break clods.

This is the last of it for the raised bed took a lot of it and the center main plot bed the rest, after the north end had it's fill.
The East wall of the main plot will use up the rest of this.

Raised beds need to be mixed up so the soil and mulched manure is not in layers.

Here is the plan Stan...:) harhar

After study on the needs of cucumbers and squash I began in earnest to get the seed in.

The companion charts told me what would enjoy each others company.
Also the study of nitrogen needs matched things up.
The blue high lighted page is the companion guide

HERE I go!

Cucumber needs be hilled up as does the zucchini

I love this tree it was to be used as a gift project that never occurred
I dig it in and set it up as a trellis of sorts

Following my plan that was based upon many hours of research.

click on image to enlarge

Left to right

far left outer edge and back of the cube is
Japanese Soyu Burpless Cucumis sativus
HEIRLOOM 65 DAY due 2nd wk of Oct.
sprouted Aug. 13th

Hilled in the center of the left side is
Black Beauty Zucchini Cucurbita pepo
HEIRLOOM 55 DAY due 1st wk of Oct.
Sprouted Aug. 13

Center hilled on each side of the trellis is
Cucumber Marketmore Cucumis Sativus
60 DAY due 2nd wk of Oct.
a few sprouted Aug. 13

Flanking the zucchini in the furrow is
Carrot Asian New Kuroda Daucus carota var sativus
HEIRLOOM 75 DAY due 3rd week of Oct.

Horse shooed around the Marketmore is
Chives common Sllium Schoenoprasum
HEIRLOOM on going

At the head of the center row planted to shade the cucumber
Sunflower Mammoth Grey Stripe Helianthus annuus
HEIRLOOM emerges 10-15 days

Far right side

Around the back wall toward the right behind the tree too
Cucumber Homemade Pickles Cucumis Sativus
55 DAY due 1st wk of Oct.
Sprouted Aug 13 only one or two

At the foot of the tree and in the hollow there is
Squash Summer Scallop (Patty Pan) Blend Cucurbita Pepo
HEIRLOOM 55 DAY due 1st wk of Oct.
Many Sprouted Aug. 13

Along the front edge right side is
Basil Italian Large Leaf Ocimum basilicum
HEIRLOOM on going

Now scattered at each corner are a few
Radish Cherry Belle Raphanus sativus
HEIRLOOM 24 DAY due 1st week of Sept let go to seed...

These will be left to seed to attract insects off of the cucumbers and squash.

Scattered at wall edge all the way around
Nasturtium Jewel Mixed for pollination
due mid Sept.

*BEE BLISS*

As I was just a half an hour out from completion I heard thunder.
I was so focused in deep thought and prayer (my thing while in the garden) it surprised me

By photographing the beds I will have a permanent record of seed set.

NEVER STEP ON YOUR SOIL!
see the board this is straddled and then used to step on.
It diffuses the weight and keeps soil loose.

see the drops on the plank :)
Seed Packets are now safe from weather.

About this time My Boy came out to see me

The tin cans on the stakes two fold purpose to keep your eye safe and to keep the birds uneasy when they light nothing says get out of my garden like a tipping can shifting under the bird.

Although the center bed had more to break up I rapped it up and the tinkle of drops began to come.
I felt a big hug for the prayers of the morning were deep and personal
My heart being dug and hoed like that soil becoming more fertile for the seeds being sown within me. There is a time for all things.

As I sat a spell I watched as my boy set up a track an obstacle course to play with his car on. Now funny thing when your in the garden and time slows...You see so many deeper lessons. You see even in obstacles the planks had to be set just right in order for the greater pit falls to be avoided. He had to make sure the board were set up just right to make the course run as directed.
God must be pretty busy teaching and building things up to set us just right to make it through the obstacles we each face.

Well I gathered the books and papers, seed packets and camera and was off to the porch when.

It began JUST THEN to rain lightly
a refreshing sort of very light big drops release.
Sorta like tender tears that fall big when ya see what your suppose to see.

NOTE when I spoke of salting the earth I was speaking in poetic term...I mean to sprinkle the amendments as one would salt.

john denver

2009-08-05T19:45:00.001-07:00

Free Gazebo A gift of kindness

2009-08-02T12:52:00.000-07:00

Saturday afternoon as the heat died down ...
We were called out to the yard to tend for the care of it and the assembly of the gazebo. We were given the gazebo through the free stuff on Craigs List

As the afternoon took mercy on us with a bit of shade I tended the dogie dung and the sweet man who loves me more than the air around us...we some times that is just how it is.:)
Well he began the assembly.
I cleared out the garden extension and put all the bricks over the gate, and the tools away. He then mowed and I tended a few little tasks in the garden plot.

The tarpon is tattered and torn on the corners of the copula.
We decided to remove it
Another day we can get the cover on the rest of the gazebo. I do have my eye on a new trap that is $150. but I am rather hesitant to purchase it just yet.

We called the kids out to assist us in the placement.
It was getting dark fast
We He and I , finished up after the dark of night fell upon us.

We adjusted the placing to be centered on the roof line of the house.
It is just the begining. You'll need to have eyes of the future...greenery and growth.

We will be moving the composts and the straw bails once the garden planting is on.
Still much work to do as far and final touches
I would love to disguise the water tank and the a/c unit.
In time.
I see the gazebo as a out door kitchen of sorts.
Once the harvests come in then the greens and trimming will go into the compost there and I would love a wash tup for the cleaning off of all soils before going inside.
The other use some day...a camping stove set up to can outside.
Perhaps a work bench and a potting table.

The moon was so pretty last night

The wheel barrel is full of another load of transferred clumps from the existing garden for I am still recessing the beds a bit. Those blocks await the next purchase of liner cloth for the bed to the right against the wall. In time. I will be transferring most of the stack there now into the raised bed. The composted earth there rests under a mound of straw. It will be transferred and I trust the brick I will need will come in it's due time.
Then the gate will be a clear view through.
I think it will be beautiful
Imagine with me.

Newspaper pots for seelings

2009-07-27T09:41:00.000-07:00

Make a small pot out of newspaper for your seedlings. This is brilliant!
Thanks to Frugal Luxuries by the season for pointing this out.

Small Space Organic Vegetable Gardening
This is an inspiring gardener

Rainwater Harvesting

2009-07-26T12:05:00.000-07:00

this post will be added to as the process continues

Drought-Stricken Texas Pushes Conservation

Fall preperations for the desert garden

2009-07-22T12:26:00.000-07:00

Now the last of the harvest is in...
Time to get ready for the rains are coming.
Fall gardening here in the desert starts soon.
August 15th is the beginning of the most of it and then on September first the greater part of the seeds go in.

Soil turned and broken up
it will be amended with
compost
Diatamatious earth
hummus
Need some peat moss may use straw
general feed.

Study study study
Then Succeed!

Will need yet to read up on cucumbers to see if they might like anything special
same with the squash

Far back is the NW corner
The very first thing to get ready for is the
summer squash
Pickling Cucumber
slicing cucumbers
With them I will plant the nasturtiums for pollination attraction of bees and to keep the bugs off of the cucumber

Center bed is getting ready for the
Sunflower to shade the cucumbers
sweet corn
will have
the pumpkin
growing under them for shade

on south of that is going in the peas
with some radish to grown to seed for added pollination

The center bed is doing very well.
That is where I found that carrot under the melon vine
The melon is going out of there and the earth turned under
amended.

Study
corn
sunflower
pumpkin
see what it might like

Had a friendly lizard come ask what was going on.
He thanked me for stirring up all those spiders and such
The lizards will eat well today.

I am so pleased with this earth.
Folks that is just one good year of tending and look what it has become.

Now this corner 2 feet of it or so is pretty hard pan. No wonder the beans suffered it need a lot of compost.

I am not sure if you can see what I am doing.
This bed will become recessed a bit.
The purpose it that the water will flow into the bed and off of the path.
The water will be used much more efficiently.
This will be a 4x11 bed with a foot of hard pan at the house foundation.
Slinging that pick is a good work out.

I am amending my ways...hahahar

Now can you see it...?
Look with those eyes of the future...
Dug down 2 feet ! YEP! 2 feet!
This part of the addition will be my focus for August.
Set to plant September first.
Now that is a goal.

A beginning...

This metal is good for a magnetic board.
that is the technique for digging out a french raised bed.
It is a 3 foot wide and 12 foot long trench that will be shifted over as it is dug down in foot wide sections that are lifted onto the former dug row and so forth.

Inch by inch
row by row
someone bless these seeds I sow.

Tackle it Tuesday

2009-07-20T21:56:00.000-07:00

Welcome friends to Bee Bliss Gardens
well after this encouraging meal...

I told my husband all about the fall garden plans that it is coming upon us to plant in two weeks some of the first crop
We stepped outside donned with our t shirts and work shoes.

Well we stepped out to this!
It was gorgeous!

My darling mowed and edged the extension while I raked the back four foot section of our existing plot to be ready to turn and amend.

He removed the straw bails over to the compost area and then the big pot out of the garden. Poor guy lost a dolly wheel in process that pot was just to much for the tired tire. I pulled the last of the squash and then raked out the bean patch of last season. Here it is July 15th and Aug 1 st that the planting begins. So I sow. Or at least get ready too.

just look at that sky!

Te cube to the right is the grape vine planter it will be mirrored to the north and the trellis will straddle the entry. I though to grow vines of nasturtiom (sp) to flower over the block and obscure it. It also will be a compainion plant.

These are those block we got for FREE!

We set out the layout to see what we had. Some alterations to the left bed...four foot is just too deep. So we gave the south bed another foot and backed the east bed up a foot. I need to kill the grass. You can see that I did this before but after careful consideration realized mowing would be a hassle and a lot of extra labor.

We have a few more block yet to move but the children needed tending and the lightning was coming closer so more another day...

It was also getting dark and out guest chose to go home so we drove her to her mom. It was a nice play date not even on eruption.

New and revised the planting dates for Phoenix is different than most all other places so note the date marks by
Clicking on the image to enlarge.
I will add more detail as I go along.

Next up need to call on some horse dung for the beds and get some top soil for the mix. Then the compost and amendments according to the Nitrogen content desired. Time to make earth :) The elements will be concocted like a good soup.

My seed list will be consulted and the list to shop for will be made up.

Time to get ready for the rains are coming
I was able to fine a detailed mock up of the water tank hook up.

Summer ....time for garden planing for fall

2009-07-12T11:36:00.000-07:00

The beans are winding down
116*

Squash are amazingly alive!
unheard of
these the squash that grew by itself
One more on the vine

:)

The arbor is white in the far back ground
His folks gave it to us.
6' tall and 8' span grapes in the fall.
We have the block now
We still need a few more large block for the water tank
for free

Today we were fortunate to find all of this steel fencing for only
$20.

there is enough to do the job
we will just need a gate

this is just what I dreamed of
We looked at this fencing last fall it was at least $50. a section!

Desert heat takes a tole on the garden

2009-06-30T15:37:00.000-07:00

Here in this heat the strawberries are wishing to take a cruse...
poor things... It just swelters at 111* dry heat.
Thank God it is not a humid heat for me but the plants dry fast!

Poor little purple beans have played so hard they just done wore them selves out.
That sun is just a torture until way late in the afternoon.
It is around 3:30 here in this image

Those faithful berries!
We harvested three of them a little treat for each of us.

The green beens have not been impressive this year. Nest year I will order an inoculant for they just did not thrive this year.

Pulled a handful of small carrots. These troubadours are still fighting the good fight in this heat!
They are not suppose to do well in the heat?

The guest squash is bearing two large butternut.
I still have a little left of the first one!
Yum!
Harvested last Thursday
That is the cabbage beside it.

Melons seem slow going or perhaps I am just excited to try them.

Summer makes the sad garden thirsty

Girls are pretty thirst too.
We have added a water to the mix so now they have two of them.

The Butternut Squash Gift

2009-06-22T10:11:00.000-07:00

This spring discovered was a beautiful growth that I did not plant.

Many months back in the grocery I saw my favored squash and weighed it...upon that I gently returned it to its post for I was not a willing soul to pay so much for it.
I remembered the thought I had had of how cool it would be to grow such a squash for myself.
I distinctly remembered it!

One day said growth adorned itself with a tell tell flower distinctive of its family of squash.
Still I did not know what it was for some time.
It looked perhaps at first like a summer squash and the year past I had one growing here.

After some time however it became plainly clear what I had growing.
Watching this gift to me grow meant so much to me.
Each day growing so fast that I stood pleased and amazed.

This week it became a part of our menu.
How good it is to eat the crop of your hand
and better yet to enjoy the gifts that are freely given to enjoy.

There are at least three more on the vine.
This is going to be the most memorable butternut squash of my life.

words later gotta run for now!!!!!

2009-06-13T14:21:00.000-07:00

A week in the earth.

2009-06-09T19:26:00.000-07:00

Had a garden intruder in the beansGave him to the chickens they did not even want him around!
Once I pulled the carrots for Mondays meal this fellow came out of hiding.
Now that tree is a watermelon tree.
Who said that watermelons don't grow on trees
:)

Sun and moon melon.
Over the weekend they just shot up in size.

This old cabbage is still trying to please us.
The aphids are very happy with him.
DE in the aphids diet...or said die it!

Now this is my idea of a good can of beans:)

This is the big butternut that I asked for and came via the compose a year later.
Funny how I remember those little prays and requests.
Sorta makes me stop and smile
You know it is going to be the best one ever!

Musk melon

Female flower

Pulled the last of the radish to add to the pasta salad for the trip.

Next big project.

This product served me well.