Monday, March 23, 2009

Sideways

 
So, even though I am really tired, I am willing to do this actual gardening post on sideways tomatoes. We are advised to plant tomatoes deep even remove a few of the lower leaves in order to plant them deeper. Tomatoes will send out roots along the stem. These extended root systems allow tomatoes to grow more vigorously and, hopefully, more fruitfully. This requires a really deep hole. To avoid the deep hole digging, it is often suggested to plant tomatoes on their side, but this could lead to breaking the little transplants. Another solution is to tip the plants on their sides the day before they are planted.
 
Posted by Picasa
After 24 hours on their side, they reach for the sun and can be planted sideways with the stem below the soil with limited chances of breaking.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Lemon Tree Very Pretty

Somehow I spent $100 at the nursery yesterday. All I intended to get was a bag of potting soil and some compost. Oops.
 















They had this Meyer's lemon tree and it was blooming. I just had to have it.
 
Bunnies eating flowers are just cute.  
Here is a picture of all of the plants back on the deck. 
Posted by Picasa
I also bought a banana tree for Manly Man, a flat of petunias, and a flat of marigolds. I wish y'all could smell that lemon tree. Sweeeet.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Double Murder

 
Posted by Picasa
Two more innocent cabbages lost their lives to serial vegetable killer, Aunt Debbi. The butcher's profile shows that she strikes every year in early spring, but may kill again mid summer. This slaughter appears especially heinous as Aunt Debbi raised the cabbages from seedlings, apparently doting on the things.

Cole Slaw
1 cabbage shredded
2 carrots chopped fine
Juice of one lemon
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon celery seed
Pinch of salt

Sauerkraut
1 cabbage shredded
1 tablespoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon caraway seeds toasted
Filtered water to cover
Place all ingredients in a plastic bowl. Add enough filtered water to cover the cabbage. Place a clean plate over the cabbage and weight down with a jar of water. Cover with a towel. Press on the plate every day to remove the bubbles. When the kraut stops bubbling, it is done.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Not a Green Thumb in Sight

I left the garden looking like this with all the tools scattered and the work incomplete. We began working on the deck and garden at 8:00 this morning and quit at 5:30. There was still enough light but.... 
This is what made me finally stop. A blister turned into a wound. OWIE.
 This is a better looking view. Ignore the weeds. They are a figment of your imagination. There are no weeds here.
 
I bet my back is going to be killing me in the morning. Maybe I need some of that muscle lineament stuff. I am so tired that I have lost the will to change the channel. Stuck watching a stupid infomercial.
Posted by Picasa

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Slaw or Kraut?

 
Posted by Picasa

So, I've got a few cabbages to dispose of. Any suggestions?

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Party, Party, Party!!!!

 
 
 
We have a spring break tradition and it is a giant bash. Well, not really, but we thinks it is more fun than a spring break kegger. No, we don't do belly shots of tequila. We go to the Dallas Farmers Market. First order of business is a Mexican breakfast at a restaurant I cannot remember the name of. Then vegetable and egg shopping in the barns. Finally, we hit the two large nurseries and buy plants. I finally scored the green zebra tomato. Now my 2009 tomato collection is complete. Above are a some pictures of the flowers they had for sale today. Isn't it beautiful?

Party On.
Posted by Picasa

Monday, March 16, 2009

Happy Spring Y'all

 We spotted our first blue bonnet on the side of the road today. This means that spring has arrived in Texas. Happy Spring, Y'all
Posted by Picasa