Worms, Dirt, and Tomatoes

Date: May 16, 2012 10:06am
Weather: Overcast, Rainy at times, 73 degrees

The Invasion

During one of strolls on the back patio to take a peek at the container garden, I noticed that my tomatoes weren't growing like they should. There were some white "bugs" on the leaves. I came back inside to investigate, aka Google,  what these creatures could be.

This is when I ran into an article published by the ACES Publications entitled, "Tomato Insect Management Guide for Alabama". Even though we don't reside in Alabama, this could help with my container garden in Virginia. The article explains the many different pests, including worms, that could be invading my tomato plants.

Read the entire article: http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1191/

I hope this helps your garden.

~ Bien Jardin!

As the Russets Grow

Date: Friday, April 27, 2012
Weather: 62 degrees and Sunny

After a couple days of Mother Nature watering the garden, the fruits and veggies have begun their growth spurt. The Russet and Sweet Potatoes are growing taller and stronger. The Big Boy Tomatoes are flexing their flowering 'guns' and the cabbages & broccoli are making a rebound after the onslaught of green caterpillars. I can taste the green and red seedless grapes now!!

Let's take a look at what they looked like when they were first plant and what they look like today. "As the Russets Grow..."

March 11, 2012: Russet Potatoes

April 27, 2012: Russet Potatoes

March 11, 2012: Big Boy Tomatoes

April 27, 2012: Big Boy Tomatoes

April 27, 2012: Big Boy Tomatoes Blooming

March 11, 2012: Strawberries

April 27, 2012 Strawberries

March 11, 2012: Romaine Lettuce

April 27, 2012: Romaine Lettuce

FYI: The Pungo Strawberry Festival is May 26th and 27th. For more info visit: http://www.pungostrawberryfestival.info/

Somewhere over the Rainbow...

Date: Monday, April 23, 2012
Weather: 65 degrees and Splash & Dash Showers

After work, I spent most of the evening peeking out the window at my garden. Mother Nature was watering the fruits and veggies with her splash & dash showers. The sun popped out for a few minutes then skies went dark and the sky opened up. As quick as it started, it ended...the sun came out. I grabbed my camera. Skeeter and I headed to the East side of the house. There it was - a beautiful double rainbow. Enjoy the pics!

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

Date: Sunday, April 15, 2012
Weather: 84 degrees & Sunny

What a lovely Sunday morning! The fruits and veggies are loving the warm sunshine and balmy breezes. A picture is worth a thousand words, so my friends - enjoy!

Russet Potatoes

Basil, Cilantro, and Oregano

Bean Sprouts

Romaine Lettuce

Big Boy Tomatoes

It's a "Caterpillar-stropic" War

Date: Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Weather: 50 degrees and Sunny with Increasing Clouds

Green Caterpillar Assault

I went for a quick stroll in the patio garden to access yesterday's damage caused by the caterpillars and the clumsy, resident squirrel, who can't walk on a fence without falling. To my surprise the squirrel-damage was minimal - the lettuce and onions are rebounding!

As was checking on the Green Seedless Grape vines, Skeeter announced that he found 2 more caterpillars on the broccoli and cabbage. I took a peek at my poor veggies and it looks like the damage is more than cosmetic - it's "caterpillar-stropic"!! Grrrr

Armed with my bottle of organic pesticide, I sprayed the broc and cabbage. Once again, the caterpillar laughed at me and continued on his journey and culinary quest. The caterpillar mafia will be eradicated before they destroy my plants! Stay tuned my friends!

~!Feliz Jardin!

Tomatoes are budding!

Grapes are forming!!!

Green Invaders and the Sweet Potatoes

Date: Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Weather: 72 degrees and Sunny

Today's patio adventure included planting the Sweet Potato plants in their new home and planting the Green Beans, Garden Peas, Carrot, and Beet sprouts. As I was selecting a spot to place the Sweet Potatoes, I noticed the Cabbage and Broccoli were being eaten alive!

Green Caterpillars Invade the Cabbage & Broccoli!

Upon closer inspection I found the culprit! The dreaded Green Caterpillars. Several Green Caterpillars camouflaged themselves on the broccoli and cabbage. I noticed the holes in the leaves a few days ago and didn't think it would turn out this bad. Within a few days they made a salad out of the leaves. The damage went beyond cosmetic - I hope the plants survive the ravenous, green invaders!

With hopes of saving the plants, Skeeter removed over 10 Green Caterpillars. I sprayed the Broccoli and Cabbage with an organic pesticide, but the caterpillars just laughed at me. Grrrrr!

They don't know that this means war!!!
~ !Feliz Jardin!

Welcome to the Garden Sweet Potatoes!

Sweet Potatoes: After the Planting was Done

New addition to the family : Sweet Potatoes

Date: Sunday, April 8, 2012 (Easter)
Weather: 72 degrees & sunny

One potato, two potato, three potato, four sweet potatoes are what we planted today at Mema's house. During our journey to Lowes, Skeeter and I found young Sweet Potato plants. What a steal! $3.48 for 8 plants. I'm so excited because I couldn't find any organic sweet potatoes to plant.

In addition to the Sweets, Skeeter and I purchased Big Boy and Celebrity tomatoes for Mema's patio container garden. I shared a few of my prized Russet Potatoes. We watered the veggies with an Organic Fertilizer. What now? We sit back, relax, and wait for our tasties to grow.

Now to head to our patio garden! !Feliz Jardin!

Sweet Potatoes at Mema's house

Skeeter and the Dandelions

Written on Sunday, April 1, 2012
by; Cheryl Rome
Weather: Hi 58 Lo 49 - Sunny

Princess Fiona the Peony

It was a lovely day so Skeeter and I decided to sit on the front stoop. While I was photographing Princess Fiona (aka our Peonies), Skeeter picked some dandelions and presented the bouquet to me. Most people would see weeds, but I saw a photo opportunity and thought of the stories my Grandparents and Parents told me about going "Dandelion-ing". What else can you do with Dandelions?

The scientific name for the Common Dandelion, according to The Woodrow Wilson Foundation Leadership Program for Teachers, is Taraxacum officinale. (http://www.woodrow.org/teachers/bi/2000/Ethnobotany/dandelion.html)

Remembering back to my childhood, I heard stories of my Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and Parents going "Dandelion-ing" and making Dandelion Wine. My family didn't treat dandelions as weeds, but as wild vegetables. This prompted me to do some research.

Things that make you go hmmmmmm....

Not only can the Dandelion Greens be cooked with a ham hock and seasonings, they are consumed in salads. Have you ever purchased the poly bags of salad mix labeled as"Garden Mix" from your local grocer? If so, you have consumed Dandelions are part of the 'greens'. Dandelion leaves taste similar to Spinach and are on the bitter side. The next time you eat a fresh garden salad you might be eating some Dandelions.

The History of Dandelions: http://paddycat.hubpages.com/hub/Dandelion-Versatile-Weed 

While looking for commercial, culinary, and medicinal uses of Dandelions, I found several recipes for Dandelion Wine (http://allrecipes.com/recipe/dandelion-wine/) My mom warns to make sure that you picking Dandelions from fields that are free from animal droppings, human feet, and urban run-off. I plan on making this recipe next month when I get vacation time.

The second thing that makes you go hmmmmmm....

Dandelions can be grown in containers! I did not know this...do I hear an experiment brewing?!?! Interested in growing Dandelions on your patio? Check out http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/vegetable/growing-dandelion.htm to learn how. Watch for a new page to appear in the coming months.

I'm off to the patio! !Feliz Jardin!

I was strolling through the garden one day....

This morning is starting out wonderfully - 55 degrees and sunny on the back patio. The fruits and veggies are loving the warm temperatures and my allergies are loving the fact that the pollen is easing off. Hooray!

As I peered into the potato pot, I noticed the 7th russet potato sprout, the tomatoes are another inch taller, and the red & green seedless grapevines are coming to life.


I'm going to keep this post brief because I'm headed to the Farmer's Market to see what I can learn. I hope to find co-op farm land. Preferably, a 10x10 lot would be great to plant the 10 packs of seeds that are waiting patiently on my dining room table. :-)

I'll let ya know what I dig up... Adios mis amigos!

It smells like PrimROSES :-)

Date: 3/28/12 2:20pm
Weather: 72 Degrees and Sunny

Yesterday's Weather: Hi 54  Lo 41 (Sunny)

Today Duane and I took a stroll through McDonald Garden's satellite store on the corner of Monticello and Freemason in Norfolk. They had a nice variety of plants and veggies at reasonable prices. Our stroll took us through rows of spinach, parsley, sage, thyme, hyacinth, daffodils, and primrose...

As I glanced over the primrose, I noticed a sale sign. SALE - 50 cents/ Regular $3.99. It was an offer I couldn't refuse. Being a novice to flowers, I decided to purchase 2 plants. I rushed home with my flowering beauties.

Several bright yellow flowers peeked from the center of the plant. I knew right where I wanted to place them - on the table between the sweet yellow, red, and green bell peppers and cilantro. This will give the table a sprig of color until the veggies mature. As I admired the primroses' beauty and snapping photos, it dawned on me, "How do you care for a primrose?" After the photo session with the primrose and the resident backyard bee, I sat down to the computer to do a little research on primrose plants ~ I hit the mother-load of knowledge.

Primrose enjoy morning sunshine, but not the harsh sunshine of early- to mid-afternoon. At this time the sun reaches its apex and can burn the plant. One website recommended to water them from the bottom. (http://www.ehow.com/how_12070430_repot-primrose.html) Primrose only need to be fertilized once per month. (http://www.ehow.com/how_12070430_repot-primrose.html)

These flowers grow to be 6" to 12" in height and flower in the spring and at the end of summer. (http://www.ehow.com/how_5045333_grow-primroses.html) To ensure a second flowering session, the wilted flowers must be removed. "Cut off the entire stem encasement where the flower was. This aggressive pruning will help to encourage a second blooming session." (http://www.ehow.com/how_5045333_grow-primroses.html)

Re-pot the primrose into a wider container during the dormant session which occurs between Autumn and Early Spring. Visit http://www.ehow.com/how_12070430_repot-primrose.html for detailed instructions on how to re-pot your primrose.

Well, I'm gonna grab some dinner. More gardening adventures await me tomorrow!

Mr. Bee posing with D  :-)

Aaaaachooo! Aaaachooo! *sniffle* *shiver*

I woke up this morning to a severe allergy attack and a cold house. The mercury dipped to a teeth-chattering 42 degrees last night. On the bright side - the sun was out and I've got some planting to do.

Last night Duane and I took a trip to Lowe's to get some 'tasties' to add to the patio garden. I selected some herbs and veggies seedlings that you would find in Italian dishes:

• Cilantro
• Sweet Basil
• Greek Oregano
• Zucchini
• Crooked-neck Squash
• Yellow Bell Peppers
• Red Bell Peppers
• Green Bell Peppers
• Cucumbers

Duane opted to grow some red and white seedless grapes. We need to do some research to see if the grapes will thrive in our container garden. Any suggestions? Please send them our way.

When I started the garden on March 11th, I left one container empty. So, I decided to add sweet peas and green beans. Keeping my fingers crossed and a weary eye on the weather, I'm hoping to see sprouts within the next 2 weeks.

Here are some scenes from the patio garden:

I See More Sprouts!

Date: 3/26/2012
Weather: Hi  63 degrees   Lo --  and Sunny

Good Afternoon Everyone ~

I just took a trip to the patio to see how the veggies are doing. It was a pleasant surprise to see 3 more russet potato shoots - now there are 6. This week we are expecting 60 degree/sunny days and I bet the veggies will go crazy. :-) Here are the latest pics from the garden:

Patio Garden 3/25/12

Date: Sunday, March 25, 2011
Weather: Hi 63 Lo -- and Drizzle & Foggy Conditions
Today's Observations: (Measurements are approximations)

• Russet Potatoes: 3/4" 
• Big Boy Tomatoes: 6"
• Broccoli: 6"
• Cabbage: 4"
• Lettuce: 5"
• Strawberries: 2"
• Onions: 6" 

 

Patio Garden Year 2 Begins

Date: Sunday, March11, 2011
Weather: Hi 57 Lo 36 and Sunny
Today I planted the following seedlings in pots: Strawberries, Romaine Lettuce, Big Boy Tomatoes, Cabbage, Broccoli. I also planted Russet Potatoes from seed. The seedlings and potatoes were purchased from Lowe's.