Found water

Last year, I planted a host of Louisiana irises behind my HVAC unit to soak up the water that the system expels. My little experiment worked a little too well because the water-loving irises multiplied exponentially. I found after several divisions, my efforts only resulted in a very short-term dent, so I dug them all up, transplated a few, and happily shared the others with friends.

Once the warm temperatures kicked in, again I faced the challenge of how to deal with the water dripping from the HVAC unit. Thinking it over one morning, serendipitously with a gallon jug in my hand meant for the recyling, I placed it under the drain pipe and went on my way. A few hours later, I checked back to find the jug was completely full. I emptied it in to my rainbarrel and returned it. A few hours later, I repeated the process. And again. And again. And again.

With the thermostat set between 77 and 78 degrees Farenheit, I've discovered that I collect five gallons of 'found water' during the hours I'm awake. Amazing. I'm encouraged that when the City sets water restrictions later this year, which will no doubt coincide with a drought (ipso facto no rain water in my rain barrels), I will still have at least five gallons of water each day to water my criticals. YAY!

Bye Bye Split Ends

In addition to burning calories, I have found another side affect of gardening which appeals to my vanity: wearing my sun hat prevents my hair from drying out. YAY!

Glass Totems and Teacup Bird Feeders

The Pike County Master Gardener Association is shaking things up a little for our annual plant sale during Troy Fest this weekend. In addition to a shining plant selection, we are adding glass totems and teacup bird feeders and are really excited to show these off.

Here's a sample fresh off the assembly line:



Glass totems may sit directly in the garden, or staked like the teacup bird feeders. Their purpose is to draw the eye in and / or create a focal point in the garden. The teacup bird feeders may be used for birdseed or fresh water. Cleaning is a snap as they are removable from the stake. These look best in odd groupings.

Please come by our booth this weekend. We're absolutely sure you'll find something to love.

Mating Ladybugs

Something you don't see everyday...

***Click on the picture to make it larger***

Eradicating Cabbage Loopers

This is the first year I've tried broccoli and it's been challenging. 3/4 of my seedlings died, leaving me feeling a little despondent. Then, thanks to a few lightning-charged rain storms, the remaining three perked up and were on the fast track to healthy production.

Flower head developing below:

Unfortunately, 24 hours later, my sweet broccoli floret would look like this:

I found at least twenty tiny, bright green worms and scores more eggs. As far as I can tell, based on the lack of markings of the immature caterpillars is that they are cabbage loopers. See sample below:

Biological controls include companion planting with rosemary, dill and sage, although I suspect it might be too late to use the aromatic herbs to repel existing caterpillars. An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) technique is spraying the entire plant with Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) which would kill young caterpillars. (I've had some measure of success with BT on tomato hornworms, but the key is spraying young caterpillars. The older ones tend to build up a resistance.) And of course there is hand picking them -- if you can spot them.

Even though pictures of the damaged broccoli plant may suggest otherwise, I've caught these intruders at a very early stage. My window of opportunity to begin vigorously spraying with BT is still wide open. Too bad the Co-op is not on Sundays. So I'll be handpicking again today and breaking out the spray guns first thing Monday morning. Wish me luck!

Amaryllis Beauties

I have [patiently] waited 15 months for my amaryllis bulbs to bloom. They finally have and they are spectacular!

Amaryllis is one of my favorite flowes. I admire the elegant leaf structure which is an excellent bed filler, as well as the tall, slender flower stalk which create mini focal points in the garden. Rather than forcing blooms indoors during the winter holidays, I prefer to have the large, showy, red flowers accent my spring beds. Is there any prettier jewel?

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.