Dogzilla versus The Container Garden

Let It Grow! Let It Grow! Let It Grow!

Date: Monday, May, 26, 2014
Weather: Sunny and 86 degrees

I went out to check on the plants and to my surprise I found sprouts on the peas, green beans, romaine lettuce, and spinach! I'm totally shocked - especially with the peas and green beans. Dogzilla, aka our Min Pin, decided to jump in our planter box and dig! Grrrr!

It's almost time to thin out the Romaine Lettuce and Spinach.

The green beans and peas are looking really healthy:

The oregano that Jacquee brought home from JMU was transplanted into a larger home. Mmmm! It smells so good that I might go make some spaghetti with fresh oregano.

Keeping my fingers crossed that Dogzilla, the birds, and the unidentified furry thing don't destroy my container garden this year. :-)

~ Bien jardin!

It's Finally Summer! Let the Gardening Begin!

It's Finally Summer! Let the Gardening Begin!

Date: Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Weather: 79 degrees and Mostly Sunny

Gosh! It was a long, drawn-out Winter! I finally got the energy to go out clean up the patio and backyard. Between the weather and feathered "friends", the patio was a disaster!

I emptied the old soil out of the pots and replaced it with new, fresh, organic soil. I rinsed the patio and grass with a light mixture of green Palmolive dish soap and water from the hose. Thanks to a breeder I met at PetSmart, she showed me how to clean pet urine and fecal matter using 2 teaspoons of green Palmolive, an Ortho Dial N Spray, and a garden hose.

(If you have "organic matter" that your pet leaves behind, rake up the solids and discard.) Place 2 teaspoons of green Palmolive in the Ortho Dial N Spray, fill with water, set the dial between 1 1/2 teaspoons and 3 teaspoons, attach the garden hose, and spray the desired areas. Once you spray the soap/water mixture, spray the same area with clear water. The Palmolive dish soap will not burn your grass or plants. Your backyard will smell wonderful once again. Especially, if your furry "child" uses the backyard as a bathroom.

Here's what I was able to plant:

• Green Beans
• Peas
• Patio Tomatoes
• Spinach
• Romaine Lettuce
• Peppers

Now to sit, wait, and watch for the first sprouts.

~ Bien Jardin!

"Put Your Wings Where I Can See Them"

Friday, June 7, 2013 3:36am

It's the crack of dawn and my husband is gathering items he will need for work as I lie in bed. The thunder rumbles in the distance - the birds are silent (it's too early for them).

3:42am On the roof I hear footsteps or shall I say pawsteps. The neighborhood raccoon has made its way onto the roof of our townhouse. It stops periodically to listen - it lumbers ahead a few steps - stops, listens, and plots...

3:45am I hear the baby birds awaken, crying for their breakfast. Their parents picked our soffet to build their nest and raise their young.

The raccoon takes several more steps, stops, and listens...

Rewind to 2012: The birds and the other pests totally damaged last year's patio garden. They chewed the leaves off my broccoli, lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, and green peppers. I purchased organic pest controls, plant netting, and placed shiny windsocks over the potted plants to discourage the birds and furry pests - with no avail!

The patio garden was a total loss!

I totally gave up on 2012's patio garden and abandoned my crops. They only salvagable items were the Russet Potatoes. I glared up at the soffet where the birds were flying in and out. I swore I would get revenge on the birds, squirrels, and insects that caused expensive and catastrophic damage!

Fast-Forward to 3:46am ...The raccoon discovered the source of the sound. It began to walk faster across the roof. It knew what it wanted.

The adult birds sensed the danger and tried to silence their young - it was too late!

"Put your wings where I can see them!"

3:47am There was a terrible raucous on the roof! The birds were squawking and pecking. The raccoon was making angry, fighting noises - it sounded like a raccoon mafia hit. I yelled for my husband. He dashed upstairs to see what what the commotion was all about. By time he got to our bedroom, it was silent. Then we heard the pawsteps victoriously retreat across the roof in the direction they came.

3:50am I put my hands behind my head and layed back on the pillow. The thunder continued to rumble in the distance and the lightening lit up the window. A sinister smile crossed my face.  - feeling vindicated, at last!

The scene of the crime!

757 We Have Tomatoes!!!

Date: July 8, 2013 4:54pm
Weather: 86 degrees and Cloudy

Well, its been awhile since I stepped out on the patio to inspect the fruits and veggies. This will soon change. :-) I checked on my Big Boy Tomatoes and to my surprise - there is a dime-sized green tomato.

757 WE HAVE TOMATOES!!!!!

There are several yellow flowers indicating that more tomatoes are on their way! It looks like the birds have been chased away...I'll post the story on how I received help from the most UNlikely source. - feeling vindicated ;-)

Bonnie (r) Big Boy Tomatoes