Planting notes
As I like to do occasionally I update what is going on in garden de la Desert Plum. So far the tomatoes are just...proving they like being green until yesterday. I was poking around after getting home from the gym when I discovered on one of the heriloom plants a single growing tomato!!! Imagine how pleased I am to finally see something happening with plants almost as tall as myself. The morgage lifter I have no hopes for unless a serious bruning job will turn it around. I doubt it but why not try and see you know? The cucumbers have lots of flowers out but since bees are totally lacking so far I have seen only two cukes coming on. One Mom could probably take off in another week as its almost five inches long.
Later on today I think I will be taking off the rest of the corn so as not to have to water so much any more. With my watermelon plant and some clover introducing itself, not much needs to be done. I could plant some more cowpeas or even green beans but eh why bother this late in the game? Granted in california, when is late...well for us its about November for anything to be overwintered and survive.
So today's plantings consist of:
More clover (in hopes next year flowers will bring the Bees en masse.
Rosemary transplant
Rose-scented Geranium transplant
Crimson forest onions(pot)
Basil(pot)
Pak choi(pot)
Mini gonzales cabbage(pot)
Collards(pot)
Cilantro(pot)
Calendula(pot)
Again, I am spreading flowers everywhere I can (where the chickens can't access them yet) so Bees, other beneficials can get in to eat bugs and spread pollen.
Still have to order some garlic, spinach and a few more herbs. I wish I could find medium and big pots in bulk for cheaper than buying one at a time. I'll have to check online..who knows.
Chickens are doing a great and messy job of eating bugs and possibly destroying as well. Overwintering and keeping them inside during some crucial growing periods like for lady bugs or praying Mantis will totally help. Getting about six to eight eggs a day-I'm actually ready to bake! Good way to use up all those eggs other than eating them or giving them away to people (who may or may not want them). I wonder if I could find someone local to do a trade for fresh goat milk for eggs. Hm.
Lemon tree, Grapefruit tree have lots of fruit on them thanks to the neighbors inhaling them and co-workers taking them too. Unfortunately, when that fruit is ripe on the Lemon tree I am going to seriously have to prune it back so we have walkways again. Its so freaking large it really does take up some serious sun from other plants in the afternoon.
Tangerine Tree has more fruit on it than last year but not by much. I will be pruning back more dead branches and D.E.ing the hell out of it due to the mealy bug infestation (also not as bad because of all the pruning I did this year).
That's it on the homefront!
Later on today I think I will be taking off the rest of the corn so as not to have to water so much any more. With my watermelon plant and some clover introducing itself, not much needs to be done. I could plant some more cowpeas or even green beans but eh why bother this late in the game? Granted in california, when is late...well for us its about November for anything to be overwintered and survive.
So today's plantings consist of:
More clover (in hopes next year flowers will bring the Bees en masse.
Rosemary transplant
Rose-scented Geranium transplant
Crimson forest onions(pot)
Basil(pot)
Pak choi(pot)
Mini gonzales cabbage(pot)
Collards(pot)
Cilantro(pot)
Calendula(pot)
Again, I am spreading flowers everywhere I can (where the chickens can't access them yet) so Bees, other beneficials can get in to eat bugs and spread pollen.
Still have to order some garlic, spinach and a few more herbs. I wish I could find medium and big pots in bulk for cheaper than buying one at a time. I'll have to check online..who knows.
Chickens are doing a great and messy job of eating bugs and possibly destroying as well. Overwintering and keeping them inside during some crucial growing periods like for lady bugs or praying Mantis will totally help. Getting about six to eight eggs a day-I'm actually ready to bake! Good way to use up all those eggs other than eating them or giving them away to people (who may or may not want them). I wonder if I could find someone local to do a trade for fresh goat milk for eggs. Hm.
Lemon tree, Grapefruit tree have lots of fruit on them thanks to the neighbors inhaling them and co-workers taking them too. Unfortunately, when that fruit is ripe on the Lemon tree I am going to seriously have to prune it back so we have walkways again. Its so freaking large it really does take up some serious sun from other plants in the afternoon.
Tangerine Tree has more fruit on it than last year but not by much. I will be pruning back more dead branches and D.E.ing the hell out of it due to the mealy bug infestation (also not as bad because of all the pruning I did this year).
That's it on the homefront!