Working in my garden gives me great pleasure, but picking the first spring vegetables and biting into the first tomato of the season is pure joy. I’ve had an abundance of peas this year and the green beans have been great, but finally the first tomatoes were ripe and ready to eat. Here are the shallots, potatoes, small garlic, zucchini and cabbage I harvested. I didn’t have much luck with my cabbage crop. […]
Here it is–my “it all started with an avocado” hillside fruit orchard. For years I’ve wanted to grow my own avocados. I love them and when Jake’s home he can eat three or more a day. So I decided the time was now–I was going to buy two avocado trees and make my dream come true. Well, you know how those improvement project are–they start small and just get bigger and […]
Yes, it’s that time again! Tomatomania at Rogers Gardens. You’re probably wondering what three cans of high gloss purple spray paint have to do with Tomatomania and my spring veggie garden. Well, wonder no more, and take a look at my “refurbished” bistro table sitting proudly in the newly-planted spring garden “screen” house. Tomatomania is always so much fun! They have hundreds–I’m not kidding–of varieties of tomatoes to choose from. […]
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU It’s official–I crossed the 10,000 readers mark! And I can’t say it loud enough. THANK YOU to all 10,000+ readers in 73 different countries. And to think that just a little over a year ago I was happy to have 100 people read my blog…in a month. I was talking to a friend recently who had just lost her job and she was struggling […]
Okay, I admit it. Right now I have zucchini-envy! I read my friend, Janine’s blog this morning and was happy for her…but so sad for me. She has the most beautiful zucchini plants right now and mine…well…mine had to be cut back to almost nothing because of leaf mold and blossom rot. Sounds lovely, doesn’t it.I won’t even share the worst of my zucchini shots, call it pride or embarrassment, […]
I always love the first big harvest of the summer season. When I dug up these red potatoes and picked the green beans I knew I was going to make a red potato and green bean salad with vinaigrette dressing–I’ll share the recipe in another blog, but right now I want to tell you about the garden maintenance I did this weekend, and hopefully inspire you to start working on […]
The strawberry thief has been identified! I have to thank Toby, the dog next door, for solving the mystery. Detective Toby This shouldn’t have surprised me. Last summer Toby solved another mystery when he caught the raccoon that was eating his Kibbles and Bits..and my tomatoes. There’s nothing worse than spotting a big red ripe tomato that you’re planning on picking the next day only to find its […]
Help! I’m living my own little Caine Mutiny! My strawberries are under attack! Here’s the “before” photo…before something decided to turn my strawberries into their smorgasbord. And here’s what they look like now. I’m so frustrated. Something is eating all the leaves. Again…a before…and… …sadly, that same plant today. And one final pitiful parting shot.I’ve been playing detective trying to figure out what is eating the leaves. From what I’ve […]
I went to New Orleans last week for the Jazz and Heritage Festival and came home to a jungle! And as I sat in my garden, marveling at the growth, I realized my garden and Jazz Fest are a lot alike. Last year was my first trip to Jazz Fest and I had an unbelievably great time. I was a little worried that this year wouldn’t live up to my expectations. Kind of […]
It’s been exactly a month since I planted the new garden and I thought you’d like to see how the veggies are coming along. So I’ll take you on a pictorial “then” and “now” tour. I swear by starting with good soil and healthy bug-free plants. So find a great nursery and get to know the people who work there–they’ll be glad to help you. Roger’s Gardens rogersgardens.com is my “go-to” favorite […]