Trials and tales of a not-so-advanced gardener--both in the dirt and beyond.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Success: Growing flowers from seed

I can't say that I've had much luck with growing many plants from seed. Especially those that are started indoors.

This year, though, I've been very successful with 3 flowers. They are alive, growing and, most importantly, blooming. I'm sure there are other successes I'll have. These have helped boost my seed-to-bloom ego, so I could start going crazy here.

Above are some fabulous orange cosmos. These are in a new bed I created earlier this summer. Thus far they are stealing the show in the new bed. I'm really enjoying these and think I'll branch out to some more colors next year.

These wave petunias I actually grew from seed (I will NOT do this again). I started these bad boys inside in April and they have just now started to bloom! That's too long...I can be patient when it comes to my flowers, but come on. Hopefully these will stay around and continue to do well into the fall.

Finally there are some marigolds in the raised bed. I transplanted some of the seedlings as well, so they are here and there in the yard. These seeds were saved from a few years ago as well as some that were from Tod's parents' garden.

These are small successes for some, but large for me. I'll keep trying new flowers and we'll see what happens!



Tuesday, July 28, 2009

The first tomato(s)!


The first tomatoes have arrived!

They were picked this weekend and they were Roma tomatoes (7/25/2009)
Since then, I've picked about 5 more (I have 2 Roma plants) and I made a delicious Salsa Fresca (see recipe below) with them!

I've also picked countless Sweet 100 cherry tom-toms and 2 large and in charge 'Better Boy.'

Salsa Fresca Recipe:

Lots of Diced Tomatoes (I prefer Romas)
Diced Green Bell pepper (add red and yellow if they are available)
Diced White or Yellow Onion
Dash of White Vinegar
Juice of one lime
Big handful of chopped cilantro

Mix and enjoy with tortillas!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - July 2009

The garden is full of activity -- between the blooms and the buzzes, there are lots of things happening. The bees particularly like the echinacea.

This red monarda was something I took home in the neighborhood plant swap. It was one of the neatest things to watch a hummingbird hover around it for some sweet nectar.

Pretty pink and yellow daylily. There are also pure yellow, orange with red stripes, double orange and red, and a deep burgundy with yellow strip.

Meadow Rue -- some of the smallest flowers in the yard, but some of the tallest.

The black-eyed susans are starting to open. Many were smashed in the Sweet Gum saga, but there should still be a good show.

And finally some beautiful light purple phlox -- huge blooms that seem to have doubled in the past year. I have some that are darker pink and white ones as well. These are the most prolific near the patio.

Happy Bloom Day and many more blooms throughout July!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

These are traveling elephant ears

A friend of mine was nice enough to orchestrate sending me (via postal mail) some fantastic elephant ear bulbs that his dad has grown for many years.

I received the package in June and the bulbs had already been started in some soil. One even had it's first leaf.

The picture on the left is when they'd been in the ground for about a week. The picture on the right is from last night. They've only been in the ground for about a month and they are growing like crazy!