did some more clearing the tops of flowers to let sun get to plants, but still shade the soil.
since it is time to plant, Andrea and I put some more seeds down since our last ones did nothing. hopefully with the new watering set-up (not yet installed) these will take.
always weeds.
oh and I wanted to mention about the purslane. it is edible so I have not been taking it out. got to start eating it! free greens!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portulaca_oleracea
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
dark moon 7/22: make a wish
Lunar Living lecture at the Hubbell House
Saturday July 18, Zoe Edrington-Wilcox (mothernaturegardens.com)
after dark moon, 1st Q begins (Water), energy is rising up from the earth, time for nurturing, planting, fertilization; early stage of life.
with the waxing moon, into the 2nd Q (Fire), time to transplant, energy and courage are strong now; the weight of fruit is at its heaviest, so harvest.
the full moon comes and marks the transition to 3rd Q (Air). Time to turn inward. Shed what is extra. Plant only root crops as energy is going back down into the earth with the waning moon.
In the 4th Q (Earth), no planting, time for rest and repair, energy is in the roots now.
PS I won a raffle prize of "Household Product Management Wheel" from the county Water Resources program; consult the new expert, me, for any disposal questions about automotive, paint, aerosols, cleaners, batteries, moth balls, etc.
Saturday July 18, Zoe Edrington-Wilcox (mothernaturegardens.com)
after dark moon, 1st Q begins (Water), energy is rising up from the earth, time for nurturing, planting, fertilization; early stage of life.
with the waxing moon, into the 2nd Q (Fire), time to transplant, energy and courage are strong now; the weight of fruit is at its heaviest, so harvest.
the full moon comes and marks the transition to 3rd Q (Air). Time to turn inward. Shed what is extra. Plant only root crops as energy is going back down into the earth with the waning moon.
In the 4th Q (Earth), no planting, time for rest and repair, energy is in the roots now.
PS I won a raffle prize of "Household Product Management Wheel" from the county Water Resources program; consult the new expert, me, for any disposal questions about automotive, paint, aerosols, cleaners, batteries, moth balls, etc.
monday July 20th surprise
Claire and Marie make a quick stop in the morning to do some weeding. The stuff that I suspected was parsley from seed grew into carrots! and they were perfect and delicious.
they were from throwaway seeds that I threw into the ground last fall I think.
We also decided with Lora that the hoses needed to be split up to even out the watering. Claire offered to buy the new hoses needed and I think the 4-way splitters for the hose bibs are already there.
Peace
Monday, July 13, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
from Adaptation, bees pollinating flowers
By simply doing what they're designed to do, something large and magnificent happens. In this sense, they show us how to live. How the only barometer you have is your heart. How when you spot your flower, you can't let anything get in your way.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
watering
Squash and other summer vegetables don't require a daily watering unless the temperatures are above 90 degrees. When the temperatures are above 80 degrees, a good soaking three times a week is sufficient.
With cooler temperatures, feel the soil first before watering. If it feels moist, do not water. Our temperatures were below normal the first two weeks of June. This was a major contributor to today's blossom end rot problem.
Our summer weather pattern will cycle through periods of mild, warm and hot spells. You need to vary your watering frequency week to week. Also, I prefer to water in morning on a rising temperature, rather than in the late afternoon or in the early evening hours when the plants stay soggy until the next day.
With cooler temperatures, feel the soil first before watering. If it feels moist, do not water. Our temperatures were below normal the first two weeks of June. This was a major contributor to today's blossom end rot problem.
Our summer weather pattern will cycle through periods of mild, warm and hot spells. You need to vary your watering frequency week to week. Also, I prefer to water in morning on a rising temperature, rather than in the late afternoon or in the early evening hours when the plants stay soggy until the next day.
recipe from Scibona, S
Here’s something I like, based on a recipe by Marcella Hazan: a tomato salad that follows the ideal of preparing an ingredient so that it just tastes vibrantly of itself.
In a shot glass, mix a teaspoon of salt with four crushed cloves of garlic. Fill with red wine vinegar and let steep for thirty minutes. Throw out the garlic. Slice three large tomatoes into thick rounds and arrange them in overlapping layers on a broad, shallow dish. Tear a dozen leaves of basil over them, add fresh grindings of black pepper, pour on the vinegar, and cover with olive oil. Do not use cheap oil, yo.
Do not make this unless you have real homegrown or farmers’ market tomatoes, in season. Use a few different varieties, of different colors, if you please. Serve with bread to soak up the juice.
Most people to whom I’ve served this refer to what they’re eating as “tomatoes”—not a salad or a dish of any kind. Nothing gets in the way. It’s a plate of tomatoes, emphatically so.
In a shot glass, mix a teaspoon of salt with four crushed cloves of garlic. Fill with red wine vinegar and let steep for thirty minutes. Throw out the garlic. Slice three large tomatoes into thick rounds and arrange them in overlapping layers on a broad, shallow dish. Tear a dozen leaves of basil over them, add fresh grindings of black pepper, pour on the vinegar, and cover with olive oil. Do not use cheap oil, yo.
Do not make this unless you have real homegrown or farmers’ market tomatoes, in season. Use a few different varieties, of different colors, if you please. Serve with bread to soak up the juice.
Most people to whom I’ve served this refer to what they’re eating as “tomatoes”—not a salad or a dish of any kind. Nothing gets in the way. It’s a plate of tomatoes, emphatically so.
july
• In the vegetable garden, garlic and onions are ready when their tops bend over. Let them dry in a shady spot for a couple of weeks, then remove tops and store in paper bags in a cool pantry, or leave tops on and braid them for garlic and onion ristras.
• Stake fast-growing plants as needed before they begin to flop over.
• Continue to remove weeds and unwanted grasses. They go to seed faster in hot weather.
• To reduce watering and to help cool the soil around your plants, continue to mulch. Add mulch where plants are drying out too fast.
Garden Tip!!! This is a good time to empty the compost bin and restart it. You'll get a good start on a new batch of compost that will winter over. Compost that is too hot to use on plants at this time can be dug into an unplanted area, or it can be set aside to finish composting. Keep stored compost covered so rain won't leach out nutrients.
Watering. Keep adjusting your watering schedule for hot weather. Generally, water trees and shrubs every 10 to 14 days deeply. Water established beds weekly. This will not be adequate for new plantings or soil that has little organic matter.
WATERING TIP!!! Water trees and shrubs every 10 to 14 days to a depth of three feet. A soaker hose running at the dripline of these plants will do the job. Don't fertilize them any more this year as that would encourage tender growth when the plants need to begin preparing for winter dormancy.
Pruning. If you haven't completed pruning of your spring-flowering shrubs, be sure to do it by July 15th.
Planting. After the 15th, you might try planting another row of green beans for harvest in early September.
• Stake fast-growing plants as needed before they begin to flop over.
• Continue to remove weeds and unwanted grasses. They go to seed faster in hot weather.
• To reduce watering and to help cool the soil around your plants, continue to mulch. Add mulch where plants are drying out too fast.
Garden Tip!!! This is a good time to empty the compost bin and restart it. You'll get a good start on a new batch of compost that will winter over. Compost that is too hot to use on plants at this time can be dug into an unplanted area, or it can be set aside to finish composting. Keep stored compost covered so rain won't leach out nutrients.
Watering. Keep adjusting your watering schedule for hot weather. Generally, water trees and shrubs every 10 to 14 days deeply. Water established beds weekly. This will not be adequate for new plantings or soil that has little organic matter.
WATERING TIP!!! Water trees and shrubs every 10 to 14 days to a depth of three feet. A soaker hose running at the dripline of these plants will do the job. Don't fertilize them any more this year as that would encourage tender growth when the plants need to begin preparing for winter dormancy.
Pruning. If you haven't completed pruning of your spring-flowering shrubs, be sure to do it by July 15th.
Planting. After the 15th, you might try planting another row of green beans for harvest in early September.
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