"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

Gardener's Log: Plant Date 06172013

I've been so busy at my first job that I've neglected to tour my patio garden. Today has been my first tour in 2 weeks. My first stop was at the Russet Potatoes. Wow! They have grown and flowered. It's almost time to harvest them.

Next stop was at the Big Boy Tomatoes. They have grown over 2 feet tall and have begun to flower. We should start seeing fruits soon. I've gotta go on the defensive against the garden pests that defeated me last year. :-(

Unfortunately, we lost Skeeter's bean plant. Now that it is the beginning of Summer vacation, I can get Skeeter to grow a new plant. Speaking bean plants, I plant to build a sweet pea and green bean tower. This will make the picking so much easier. I will take tons of pics as it is being built.

Well, gonna go count some sheep ~ Bien Jardin

Tropical Storm Andrea: Protect Your Patio Garden

Date: Thursday, June 6, 2013
Weather: Cloudy, 74 degrees

Last Minute Prep For Your Patio Garden

Tropical Storm Warning for the East Coast of the United States.

The entire East coast is prepping for Tropical Storm Andrea's arrival. As of 5pm on Thursday, June 6, 2013, Andrea was moving Northeast at 15mph. Florida is being inundated with tropical storm rains and winds. The rain bands from the storm extend miles out from the center. Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina are being rained upon as I type.

Southeast Virginia will start seeing the rain falling at around 10pm or sooner. Northern Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New York, Rhode Island and into Maine will be feeling the effects sometime on Friday. Read more at: http://www.weather.com/video/wheres-andrea-heading-next-37192

For all my patio gardeners, please prep your gardens for the tropical storm winds and heavy rain. If possible, place some tarps on your floor and bring your young vegetation inside or any of your smaller pots/containers so that they won't become projectiles. This will hold true for any portable green houses and tables where you display your fruits and vegetables.

Don't forget to secure your patio furniture, grills, umbrellas, and gardening tools. You don't want to damage your property or your neighbors property.

My fellow gardeners in the Southern states, we should be able to get back to gardening by Saturday afternoon. Be safe and we will see you after the storm.

~ Bien jardin

May 25 - 31 is Hurricane and Emergency Preparedness for VA

Date: May 23, 2013 5:23pm
Weather: 76 degrees and Off/On Rain Showers

Fellow Virginians, quick reminder that May 25 - 31, 2013 is Hurricane and Emergency Preparedness. This is the perfect time to stock up on emergency items in the event of a hurricane or other weather anomaly. To get a list of sales tax-free items, go to http://www.tax.virginia.gov/Documents/2011%20List%20of%20Exempt%20Items%20%283%29.pdf   

More information can be found at: http://www.tax.virginia.gov/site.cfm?alias=HurricanePreparednessEquipmentHoliday

Make sure you have a plan for your patio gardens. You might want to purchase some tarps to protect your indoor flooring in the event you have to bring your smaller fruits, veggies, and portable greenhouses inside.

New Addition to the Patio Garden

Date: May 15, 2013
Weather: 75 degrees with Plentiful Sunshine and Wind

Yesterday I added a mini greenhouse to the back patio. It was a great find at Big Lots. Only paid $20 and it holds several of my young plants while offering protection against the harsh sun rays coming of the back of the house.

In my greenhouse I have red, yellow and green bell peppers, a mysterious bean plant that Skeeter brought home from school, and some Petunias. I plan on adding some seedlings by Friday. Lettuce and sweet peas sound like a good start.

I need to do a little research on the green and white seedless grapevines that we started last year.

It looks like the tomatoes have a good start. Well, it's off to Lowe's to see what other treasures I can find. I might take a peek at a local Mom and Pop store to see what unique goodies I can add to the Rome-an Patio Garden.

~ Bien Jardin!

 

A Tasty Surprise...

Date: 5/10/2013

Weather: 84 degrees and Mostly Sunny

Today while weeding my patio pots, I found a pleasant surprise! Several russet potatoes had grown in one of the patio pots. There were so many weeds growing that I didn't expect to see any of last year's veggies.

Containers are all cleaned out...let the gardening begin!

Add caption

Trip to Lowe's

Date: 5/5/21013
Weather: Windy and Mostly Cloudy - 57 degrees

Well, I made the trip to Lowe's...a little late in the season, but better late than never! :-) I didn't get everything on my shopping list. I was able to get red, green, and yellow bell pepper plants, Big Boy tomatoes, russet potatoes, assorted onion, and a strawberry plant.

In addition to the fruits and veggies, I picked up some Marigolds, Petunias, and Celosia to add some visual interest to the patio garden. Now to devise a way to keep the birds, squirrels, and other feathered/furry pests out of my plants.

Now to get started before the rain begins...I've gotta build my greenhouse.

~ Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Organic Potting Mix

Yellow Marigolds to go with the Purple Petunias

Lowe's Garden Shop

Searching for lettuce, strawberries, peppers, and potatoes

Here are some of my final selections...

2013...Let the Gardening Begin!

Can you believe that it's been a year since my last post?!? Last year I got so discouraged by pests (green caterpillars, birds, rabbits, an unidentified (furry) patio guest, and our very own Min Pin).

As you can see from my pic, I have so much work to do. There is so much to learn. On Sunday I'll start with weeding and replacing old soil. Then it will be a trip to Lowe's. Hmmmm...what will I buy? You'll just have to wait and see.

~ Bien Jardin!