Is it HOT enough for ya?

I cannot believe how brutally hot it is. With 100+ degree temperatures the last few days, my younger plants can't help showing stress, no matter how much I water them. It also seems the heat is also making insect infestations multiply exponentially. Case in point a green, soft-bodied insect (I have yet to identify) chowing down on my bean plants, and another unidentified (and yet to be seen) bug eating my asiatic lilies. I am not amused. Also, I suspect I will have to replace one of my crab apple trees on our extremely steep hillside that simply doesn't receive sufficient water to establish a good root system.

In other news a combination of regular applications of Sevin dust, and companion planting with basil and marigolds have keep the dreaded tomato hornworms away. YAY! We've been blessed to enjoy deliciously rich heirlooom tomatoes for the last month. I finally transplanted my blueberry bushes into a raised bed. After digging them up and potting them last fall because the soil pH was too high, the raised bed and numerous bags of soil conditioner and other organic amendments should be just the fix they need. Finally, my control mechanisms for aphids and slugs/snails are working. Makes working in the heat worth it.

Finally, my always sweet and exceptional smart husband helped me create this guard for a young amaryllis bulb (that he kept stepping on when reaching for the hose). I just love a man who appreciates the power of recycling. :)

Since when is Early Girl an heirloom tomato?

My family and I had the wonderful opportunity to spend a long weekend in Mobile, AL for spring break. Jam packed with kiddie activities, I was able to squeeze in a few trips to local nurseries to peruse their wares. It was absolutely amazing walking through yards of pink and white azealas, fields of marigolds, and palms as far as the eye could see. It absolutely took my breath away.

However, I was unimpressed by the abscence of heirloon tomato seedlings among the thousands of vegetable seedlings for sale. I was even less impressed by one nursery owner who tried to convince me that Early Girl tomatoes were heirloom and that I shouldn't worry about everything I read. Can you imagine?!? Wish I had a Master Gardener business card to slap on him.