I'm a day late in posting an update because I partied on Saturday night and stayed out way past my bedtime. My friend Meredith had her last night out as a single lady, she's getting married next month. I volunteered to be the designated driver, and believe me, that was FAR more exhausting than getting drunk and dancing all night. Keeping track of all the girls was like herding kittens. The next morning I had to take Dan to the airport. I went out into the garden in the afternoon and took some photos, but it was raining, so I only took a few. I went out today and got some more. The plants loved the rain! See for yourself.
I am so proud of my morning glories. They are the only thing (besides the beans) that I sowed from seed that survived. I know they're really easy, but still, it makes me happy to see them grow so well. When they start blooming I am going to stick them out by the front door. I think this variety has a red flower.
As you can see in the photo above, the prickly pear cactus is flowering like crazy! I am already thinking of all the things I can make with the prickly pears when they are ripe.
Ok, so here's a video. Nature is just so cool. Apparently, prickly pear flowers have a really neat adaptation that helps them to pollenate. When something touches the anthers, they all move in towards the stigma. Watch - I caught it on video (yes, I am really this nerdy!).
Here's a view of the garden from further away. The beans are absolutely out of control; I love it! Next to the beans, the cucumber is growing up and away!
Someone's going to be eating squash soon!!! At least I hope to.
The beans are growing up the fence and have run out of room,...
...they're looking for something to climb on!
Here's a view of the zucchini, just huge!
And a view of some of the fruit! Today I plucked some of the blossoms and fried them in butter. WOW! How come I've never done this? It was unbelievably delicious. Now I kind of wish I had another couple of plants, just for the blossoms!
The eggplant is looking a lot better. No more aphids, from what I can see, and lots of flowers. Still waiting for the first fruits though.
I am training the cucumber to grow up and over to the left, so it doesn't interfere with the beans. There are tons of male and female flowers on this vine, so we'll probably see some cucumbers soon. I'll be making cucumber salad all day long!
The corn is officially taller than the fence...
...and taller than me, too!
The little bell pepper is also growing fast. I am thinking I will be having this with dinner in a few days! Yay! If it's big enough to eat before next Sunday, I will post a mid-week update of the first harvest.
And here's a first view of the roma tomatoes. These are still small and have a ways to go.
I'll leave you with a story. (Another story? Yes, I am full of stories.)
Last Saturday, I was preparing to host my friend's bachelorette party. I let the dogs out into the yard, and two of them made a beeline for the fence at the corner of the house. They didn't bark, but they were sniffing and whining. I followed them to see what they had found, and I heard the strangest sound, kind of like a mixture of a baby bird and a toad. I pushed the dogs away and found the cutest baby possum behind the fence. Of course possums do not run away, so it stayed in between the chain link fence and some cinderblocks. So I put the dogs back inside and went around front to rescue the baby. I had to lift the cinderblocks away, and the little baby was hissing and growling violently the whole time. (I had to move it, because I wanted the dogs to stay outside while the party guests were there.) I plucked the baby close to the base of its tail and carried it to the front corner of the house, where we had some boards. It ran under the boards and that was that.
So, why no pictures? I still had to put out food and get dressed and I didn't have time to grab the camera. Otherwise the whole story would have been chronicled. :) I haven't checked to see if it's still there, since possums usually don't stick around for long.
All righty, that's it for this week, friends!
4 comments:
I love your blog! What kind of weed guard did you put down? Do you have problems with ants? Last summer, we had crazy ants when we used the weed guard.
: )
Thanks, Wendi!
We are using a huuuuuge, thick plastic sheet that Dan got for free from work. Can't beat free.
Yes, there are little ants everywhere, but thus far they haven't done any damage. In fact, I think they are helping with the pollenation for some of the plants.
I like the weed guard, but I think next year we'll got back to raised beds - on top of this weed guard.
Ultimately, I'd like to put down gravel for walkways inbetween the raised beds.
Hey Svenja! i thoroughly enjoyed catching myself up on your gardening (spiders and all). i like to think i'm a nature nerd but i dont always know what i'm looking at. :)
anyway your garden is fabulous. i planted my first one this year. i started them in a box top on the back porch and just moved them to the back yard garden a week or two ago. looking at your garden i must have started late. my corn is only 2 or 3 inches and my beans are about the same. i also have okra, cucumbers, squash, bell peppers, and watermelon for the girls. we'll see how it goes.
I was thinking of using news paper for a weed barrier (i've used it before in paths and walkways). then i wonder about how the fertilizer would get to it through the news paper. i guess with plastic you are not fertilizing??? your input and suggestions are welcome.
love the rain barrel - i'm jealous. i want to try a compost pile now i'll have to add that to my wish list. :)
WOW your vegetables are coming along so well. I am just as excited as you are about my garden and the flowers I planted by seed.
Happy Gardening,
Angie
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