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!