Garden
Let’s Get Cloning
Winter is a great time to propagate plants from cuttings Salvia Pozo Blue propagated from another in my yard Mid winter is tough. If you’re anything like me, right about now you’re itching to get back outdoors, clear some garden beds and get started on planting for spring. The problem is there’s still weeks of cold, wet, frosty and unpredictable weather ahead that all but guarantee anything you try to get started will be killed off by the time warmer weather rolls around. Fortunately, while it may not be the best time to get seedlings or transplants started [keep reading...]
This Pterodactyl is trying to eat my fish
I've been doing battle with this bad boy for the past few days. The fish pond is covered and reinforced with bird netting, but that hasn't stopped him from trying multiple air and ground-based attacks. Unlike the egrets that visit and attempt fishing without a license from time to time, this guy has almost no fear. He certainly doesn't startle easily and he stands his ground even when I'm just a few feet away. Given that he's a little over 5 feet tall, he's probably used to being the big bird at the pond.
Ouch! Winter Hits Hurt
Down here in the foothills of San Diego its not unusual to see temps dip below freezing on some nights... in February. Unfortunately, during the last three weeks of autumn almost every night has dipped into the low 30's (and some nights into the 20's). Most of my subtropicals can survive a few nights of frosty weather, but not weeks of it. Pretty much everything is now fried. Fried plant gallery Now I'll just have to whack it all back, mulch and hope an early spring.
Thanksgiving dressing from the herb garden
The herb garden is about done for the year, but not so done that I can't get everything I need to season our homemade stuffing. Manged to get plenty thyme, rosemary, celery, parsley and sage. Now to dice it up and add it to the croutons I made from some leftover French bread the Mrs. made earlier this week.
Garlic sprouts in early November
About a month ago I planted some hardneck garlic for spring harvest. Here's what it looks like a month later: I planted both rows on the same day, but curiously, the garlic on the left, which is from a local grower, is already up and on its way. The garlic from Maine has yet to appear.
Jack o’ Lantern in waiting
It's Halloween, and time to haul one of the last pumpkins up to carve it into a Jack o' Lantern. This one looks pretty good. Follow-up: turns out this one was bigger than I thought. 45lbs worth of Jack o' Lantern coming up.
Garlic Planting Time
Ordered some hardneck garlic last month from Pinetree Garden Seeds and it's finally here. I figure if I plant it now, right around spring we'll have fresh garlic.
Big Duck, Small Pond
WHy go to the duck pond with all the other ducks wen you can have a water dish all to yourself?
Late summer harvest
Summer still has a month to go, but the garden is starting to look tired. All the heat and sun has the spring plantings kicking out their last. I won't be planting anything new until mid-September when fall crops will have a better chance of surviving. In the meantime, I'm happy that we're still harvesting grapes, tomatoes, squash, peppers, lemons and limes.
Best Pepper Pickling Recipe
Pickling your peppers, whether sweet or hot, is a great way to preserve their flavor and be able to enjoy your garden bounty long after the season is gone