A month ago, my crape myrtle was full of blooms — beautiful, pink, velour-like blooms. They’ve mostly been gone for the past few weeks, until a couple days ago when I noticed a corsage-size bunch of them blooming near the bottom of the shrub. Continue reading
My pepper plant may have been loyal, but it finally had to go to make room for the pumpkin plants. I had been training the vines in circles around the two far left raised beds, but the 8 feet just wasn’t enough for them. Wanda, the longer vine, had already grown through the cage holding up the pepper plant. So it was adios, see ya, dasvidanya for the peppers. Continue reading
I had been promising to dry some of my extra basil for a couple weeks, and today finally proved to be the perfect day to do it. And boy, was it easy. Seriously, all you have to do is cut the basil, wash it and remove the stems and bad leaves. Then arrange it on wax paper on a cookie pan, and place it in a 170-degree oven for about an hour. Continue reading
Today’s post belongs to the bees, who were enjoying a pollen smorgasbord in the pumpkin patch this morning. I know they must have been enjoying it; one bee was covered in pollen. Continue reading
Each day, it seems, another little pumpkin seems to curl up and die on the vine. I’m afraid the squash vine borer that attacked the plant in mid-September is to blame. I can’t think of any other reason why so many tiny pumpkins would form, only to wither on the vine before reaching their potential. Continue reading
Ten days ago, I planted tomatoes I bought at the local HEB grocery store. So far, they appear to be doing well. They’re growing. Two of the three each had one tomato when I bought them. The third has caught up and now has two tomatoes. Continue reading
My patio seems to have become home to two frogs. I don’t recall when I first saw them, although I think it was around the time when I started seeds in peat pellets in a tray on the patio back in early July. It was quite humid by the tray and I remember moving it one evening, only to see a frog jump out from behind or under it. Continue reading
I’m not sure why, but chrysanthemums have never been high on my list of fall flowers. But in Texas, it’s hard to ignore them this time of year. They’re everywhere. In huge corsages given to high school girls by their boyfriends during Homecoming week. In every grocery and garden store. On display in front yards and local businesses. Continue reading
As I was walking darn dog Chloe around the yard tonight, we passed by the garden and I got to thinking. I’ve posted so many photos of flowers on my blog, but I think I’ve overlooked the actual leaves on flowers and vegetables. Continue reading
Changes happen often in gardens and most gardeners suffer through the unpleasant as well as the good ones. My garden certainly is no different. Just two days ago, I was excited to see three little pumpkins on my big pumpkin plant (I call her Wanda). Continue reading
Chocolate Chips and Chaos 