Hiding In The Hay

One of our cats, Hodgey, was so happy when the hay was laid in the garden in preparation for our first upcoming winter storm. At first all I could see was the back end of the cat, then I went around the hay and his head was peering out. I wondered at that moment, did he realize he could still be seen, or really didnt care but was enjoying playing?

Until next time. Happy gardening.

Blessings.

Laurie

First Winter Ice 2009

Living in Central Texas we normally don't see such frigid temperatures. We had our first hard freeze due to an Artic front. Temperatures got down to 22 degrees at my home. The day before we were told to expect 1-3 " of snow, but I guess we were a little too north of the moisture coming from the coast. Houston and the Gulf area saw record snows.

Here are a few photos my husband took of my garden the morning of the freeze. It looked like a winter wonderland of ice. Oh how a few weeks can make such a difference in the garden. At Thanksgivng we were still enjoying the flowers bloomng and butterflies.

Until next tme Happy Gardening.

Blessings

Laurie

Ode to the "Okra" Tree

These photos are of my okra that grew in my garden. I planted 6 seeds back in April 2009 and they just sat there no more than 6" tall. So many times I wanted to pull the plants up thinking with extreme triple digit temperatures and drought, these plants were done in, but I just left them in the garden. What would I loose. Anyway I think that when we finally got cooler temperatures and rain in September the chicken manure just really made these veggies take off. We lovingly knicknamed them our Okra trees since the stems were the size of tree trunks and grew to over 6'6" tall, not to mention the chickens would seek shelter from the hot sun underneath.

"Ode to the Okra Tree"

Oh okra tree how tall you grew

Not that anyone would guess, no one knew

That such a small beginning from a seed

No taller for months than a weed.

Then one day how tall you would get

Even the chickens were found sitting under it.

You provided much needed relief

Not only food to eat, but humor to lookers in total disbelief.

Now sadly the day has come around

When it was time to dig you out of the ground.

So for now good bye, you served this gardener's family well

Next year when I plant some of your seeds again, how they will grow no one can tell.

Until next time. Happy gardening.

Laurie

Taking Care of Roses in the Fall

More about roses..............If buying potted roses best to buy two gallon pots....Hybrid Teas should have 36" center..............minimum of 30" centers.

Felco pruners are best. Goat Skin Gloves best....can be purchased for $9.00 at Lowes Elmers Glue seals canes after pruning. Roses should be pruned in the shape of a vase and open in the center and don't leave stubs on bud union. When pruning remove one half to two thirds of growth.

Sugar Cane Litter is best mulch for roses Pine Bark Mulch with Pine Straw is next best mulch.

Planting Wildflower Seeds in Texas

I don't know how many times I have been dissapointed to plant seeds in the Fall and in the Spring few if any new plants showed up. So here are a few tips that were published in the "Wildflower" magazine Fall 2009 issue on Planting Wildflower Seeds.

They say there are really only 4 steps to sowing wildflower seeds
1) Remove any existing weeds, grass and break up the soil surface. Broadcast the seeds. I use a little playground sand mixed with the seed to help it spread more evenly. Water until you see sprouts. Try to time your sowing to correspond with incoming storms to enchance germination and reduce supplemental watering.
2) Make sure your seeds are in good contact with the soil, but not buried. They should be no more than 1/4" in the soil.
3) Seeds will germinate better if sown when the temperatures are between 70-80 degrees during the daytime and 40-50 degrees at night. In the Southwest October, November is the best time.
4) If wildlife threatens to eat your seed, then protect them. Using a birdseed block is a good way to form a decoy.

Then after all of your beautiful Spring flowers have stopped blooming. You can collect the dried ripe seeds. Then compost the dried plant parts. Some flowers like poppies need to be covered with a paper bag to collect their seeds before they explode open on their own and go where they want. Save this seed and build up a "seed bank" for your garden. Ready for the next Fall growing season.

New Form of Plant Propagation

This information was taken from an article published in "Wildflowers" magazine, Fall 2009, entitled "How To Make A Rooting Chamber."

I personally have not tried this method, but love to experiment. Fall and Spring are perfect times to propagate most plants. Then you can expand your garden or share/swap with other gardeners.

Here is how to make this simple and inexpensive chamber.

First you will need to gather these items for each chamber you will need:
1- empty and washed 2 Liter plastic soda bottle.
1 -6 ounce yogart cup
Scissors
Rooting Hormone
light-sterile potting medium
Utility knife
Clear tape
Sharpie Marker

Cut the bottle in half. Then cut a 1 inch "v" on four sides of the top of the bottle so it will fit back over the bottom half and be more secure. Also be sure to leave the cap on the top of the bottle.

Next poke 6 drainage holes in the bottom of the yogart cup. Fill the cup with potting medium. Poke hole in the soil for plant to go into.

Prepare plant for cutting. Cut a 3-5 inch section of plant you want to propagate. Remove the lower leaves from the stem, keeping just enough top leaves for the plant to photosynthesize.

Dip stem end into rooting hormone and gently place in the hole you made in the soil. Then carefully press the surrounding soil around stem until is it upright.

Place the yogart cup into the base of the bottle. Fill the base with water just until 1/4" up the side of the yogart cup.

Now place the top portion of the soda bottle onto the bottom portion. Secure with tape all around sides. Mark the date on outside of bottle. Place bottle in indirect lighting inside a window ledge.

Leave in chamber for a few weeks to allow new roots to form, then place the yogart cup only in a light shaded place for the plant to harden for a few days to a week. Then you may remove your new plant from the cup and place it into the garden.

Meeting Notes for October 17, 2009

We held our second garden club meeting at the home of Carolyn Guillotte. It was a beautiful Fall day. Carolyn shared information about French Intensive or Permiculture gardening. This will be discussed in a more detailed blog posting.

It was decided that she would provide information to share with this blog site and its' followers. Carolyn has been involved in some intensive garden seminars at Texas A & M. Dr. Joe Novak has primarily been the keynote speaker and is known for his expertise in this area.

Member Barbara McDougald brought a Wildflower Center magazine to share not only how to plant wildflowers, but how to propagate plants. Look for the details in another blog posting.

We also enjoyed touring her garden area and seeing the beginning stages of a Burm. Burms are mounds of sand, leaves, and later top soil placed on top of old fallen tree limbs. She informed us that these piles are perfect areas to grow an herb garden.

The group also enjoyed wonderful refreshments of cheesecake and beverages. Not to mention before we all left we were given wildflower seeds to plant for the Spring.

Our meetings for now will be not on a monthly basis, but a quarterly one. Be sure to check the website for all of the updates of what the group will be doing in 2010.

Happy gardening!

Creative Water Gardens

Squashing Those Bugs!

I wanted to share a really easy and wonderful tip to keep worms from eating up your vines before the plant has a chance to produce. Collect all of the wood ashes you can, I don't have a wood burning fireplace or stove so I enlisted the help of a neighbor to keep theirs for me.

Then I took a plastic pot and scooped up about a few cups worth and used the holes in the bottom of the plant to help sprinkle them around the base of the squash, cucumber, or pumpkin plant. Then watch those bugs go away. I am not sure the science behind why this works, someone told me they thought it was like diametaceous earth, the crystals fatally do internal damage to their digestive system.

I have never had such a successful planting season as this one. I love it not only because I was able to enjoy wonderful produce, but it was organic and green.

Until next time,

Happy gardening and blessings,

Laurie

Yes, Making Your Own Black Gold

"How to Begin Composting" What is composting? It is the method of using organic material and letting it decay to become rich, reusable humus soil for the garden.

Why compost? It keeps materials out of our landfills and re energizes the soil, giving the plants necessary nutrients to build strong roots and produce more fruit and vegetables. It attracts beneficial organisms and insects like the earthworm that loosen the soil and make it easier for the plants root system to absorb water and other sustaining nutrients.

General Information:

It usually is beneficial to have two or more compost piles working at the same time. Then you will always have one ready to use and the other following right behind. The reason behind this is that some material decomposes at different rates. The general rule is that the woodier, or thicker the plant material the longer it will take to break down into usable soil. For example, leafy material like lettuce, grass clippings, hay etc.. can decompose as quickly as 10-14 days where wood, thick plant stems can take up to 6 months or more.

How does a compost pile work? Materials are placed in some type of enclosed contained area (compost bin) that allows air and moisture to attract airborne bacteria to begin the decomposition process.

How do you build a compost bin? There are many different ways to build a compost bin. Be creative, you don't have to spend lots of money or time. There are on the market some plastic, portable easy to assemble bins. I found mine at a local home improvement store. Some stores only carry these items as seasonal purchases and come in to the stores between Jan-Mar.

These are my two bins plus an old garbage can to hold the finished products. The pallet bins are for the hard plant materials and the plastic store bought bin is for leafy, faster growing materials. I also, have to cover the pallet bin when the weather is hot and dry.

Some suggested materials to make your own bin, just make sure whatever you use it allows air to flow and can hold at least one cubic yard of material. Make sure the material is moist not too dry. If it is then you will have to water the compost, but don't over water you don't want the material soggy. The container needs a cover if the weather is hot and dry so place a plastic cover or tarp over just the top. You still need air circulation to occur so keep the sides and bottom open.

Wooden bin using old lumber
Wooden pallet bins
Cinder block bin
Wire fencing bins

OPTIONAL TOOLS: A composting thermometer and a metal pipe or plastic pvc with holes drilled all around, to be placed in the center of the pile for more circulation.

What materials can you put into a compost bin?
Animal manures (no cat or dog)
Corn cobs
Grass clippings
Hay
Leaves
Peat moss
Saw dust
Seaweed/kelp
Stalks (chopped)
Straw
Wood ashes
Garden plants
Soft plant stems
Fruit and vegetable matter
Egg Shells
Tea bags and coffee grounds
Newsprint (no glossy or colored print)

Even 100% cotton socks and underwear after the elastic has been removed

What not to compost:
Meat, fats, bones, fish
Dairy products
Cooking Oil
Human, Cat and Dog feces
Disease infected plants
Weeds that have gone to seed
Poisonous plants (like poison ivy, caster bean, datura, and oleander)

How to heat up the pile? You want to get the pile cooking as soon as possible. To know if your pile is hot enough there are composting thermometers that you can place in the center and it will give you a reading.

Here are a few other ways to heat the pile up? Add nitrogen rich materials like your farm animal manures and/or bloodmeal. Here is a recipe I have used: Mix in a bucket and then pour into the center of the pile. Don't be alarmed if you see steam coming from the pile after applying. 1/4 cup of beer, ¼ cup of ammonia, 1 gal of warm water

How do you eliminate smells from the Compost Bin? Only use the above suggested materials in the bin. Once the pile heats up the odors will usually disappear and turning the pile every 10 days or so.

How do I turn the pile? I have found a pitch fork or even a hand held garden soil tiller works really well.

What to do with Bugs in the pile? This is just part of the decomposition process and cannot be avoided. Just place your pile in an area that any pests won't be a bother to your household. A warning, be on the lookout for fire ants in the pile and maybe a wasp nest near the pile. I always wear gloves and do a light, general inspection of the pile before I just dig in to retrieve some soil or get ready to turn the pile. Learned this lesson the hard way.

Another way of composting is to include worms into the mix. Not any worm will do, you must have a red wiggler earthworm. They are not locally available, but on http://www.garden.com/ you can order some. They not only help decompose the material faster but their droppings or casings add to the nutrients.

They must be placed in the deep in the center of the pile, they don't like the heat or sunlight. When adding them to the pile put some cornmeal, old bread, cooked rice, oatmeal with them it will give them a good start.

2nd Annual Garden/Tea Party

I Think that the kittens stole the show! But I still loved sharing the garden with my friends.

We all enjoyed the day, eventhough the weather last week was going from above average temperatures that reminded you of July back to springtime with temperatures with lows in the mid-50's and highs in the upper 70's.

Everyone came out that morning to visit and share their favorite tasty salad or desserts. It is so much fun to see what they bring every year, I am never disappointed. Also, most all made it home with not only some new plants for our garden, but more importantly new friends.

Until next time.

Blessings,

Laurie

Happy Mother's Day

Won't be doing any gardening today, instead will be sitting comfortably on my chaise lounge. My my oldest daughter bought this as a gift 2 mother's days ago. I placed it in a strategic place, so I can just lay there and enjoy the fruits of my labor.
Until Next Time.
Blessings,
Laurie

Tying Up Those Onions

To tie up your onions you will need a ball of twine and some scissors.

Cut about 40" of twine. Leave 8-10" of one end to tie into a loop to hang your onions.

Now lay out your freshly picked onions that you want to tie up, then tie the long end that was left after making your hanging loop around the first onion.

Go under the onion, over the onion, and through the loop.

This will tie the onion snuggly onto the twine.

Continue to do this until the string is used up. You should be able to tie about 8-10 onions onto the twine before it is used up. Leave 1-2" between each onion to give enough air circulation in the drying process. When you come to the last onion, secure the string by tying the loop several times.

Now you are ready to hand your newly tied onions. Place on a secure hook, somewhere outside in a shaded area or in a laundry room, or shed to dry. These onions will last up to one year, just cut one off as you need it.

Until next time.

Blessings,

Laurie

Friends & Family Are Blooming All Over the Place

It is so wonderful when a cutting from a dear friend not only takes root, but grows and blooms. It was so exciting to see this little yellow rose, back in the Fall my friend Kim was gracious enough to have shared a cutting. It came from her 100 year old historic home. This rose to our best knowledge, was originally planted by her front porch in the 1920's.

I can look all around my garden and remember family and friends that have shared a cutting, or divided a plant for my garden. There is the crium that my husband's Paternal Grandmother gave me some 16 years ago, that in July blooms a bright hot pink flower. The shrimp plant that my friend Mildred shared that feeds the hummingbirds and makes me feel closer to her since she lives out of town. Even a rose bush that was one of my Father In-law's favorite from his home. Also, the sweet peas that train up my lattice, that came from Ella Vee a friend and neighbor, a long time gardener for over 50 years. I love the scent from these little flowers, to me they are just divine and one of my favorites.

Some of these people are no longer living, but their plants are. So when I feel melancholy, I can stroll around the garden and perk right up. I highly recommend you consider this as a way to get your flower beds full of garden memories.

Until next time.

Blessings,

Laurie

Skitter Repellent or Just Plain Silly?

My daughter and I were out in the garden the other day and were beginning to be bothered by mosquitos. Large, ugly Texas sized ones. I just kept swatting them, but my daugther decided to come up with her own idea to keep the pests off. Besides applying the repellent this was her solution:

Well, she did keep them off of her. Maybe they decided anyone crazy enough to wear such bizarre socks in the garden was worth leaving alone.

Until next time.

Blessings,

Laurie

Spreading A Little Sunshine!

Not much to say, just wanted to share my excitement in how well the garden is doing this Spring. Even with wind, no rain, then lots of rain, freezes when we didn't expect them, then unseasonably hot temperatures. Oh, that's right l live in Texas, now don't I.

Any hope you enjoy.

Until next time.

Blessings,

Laurie

Honey Wants to Be a Momma, Too!

Lovey "The real Momma cat"

Honey

"The wanna be Mom"

I know this has nothing to do with gardening, but it was too funny ,crazy and endearing not to share.

We have a house cat, Honey, and we have outside, barn or garden cats. One of our outside cat, Lovey, had 4 kittens of her own and adopted 4 kittens. Their mother died and she has taken care of 8 kittens for the last 3 weeks.

Yesterday, the kittens seemed restless. They have been inside our laundry room with Lovey and we let them come into the living room to play. We weren't quite sure how Honey was going to react to the little balls of fluff.

See Honey was rescued, she was abused as a kitten and taken away from her mother too soon. So she has had socialization problems with people and other animals.

Here is what she did. You can see for yourself in the above photos, not only did she like the kittens, she loves them. So much so Honey decided to be a surrogate momma. Crazy cat is even trying to nurse them, how I'm not sure. She is fixed and isn't lactating.

Anyway, it's amazing how some animals and even people surprize you with a compassionate side you didn't know was there. Lesson: never give up hope on those that seem hopeless.

Until next time,

Blessings,

Laurie

What's Growin' In Your Laundry Room?

I really hate to admit to everyone that I found this little spud growing behind my washing machine. It was the other day, I had getting something down from my laundry room cabinet and dropped and item behind the washer. I went to retrieve it and got quite a surprise. At first I couldn't figure out what this foreign object was, thought something had died with it's legs sticking straight up. Almost wanted to turn and run the other way.

You see, I really am OCD about keeping things neat and organized so I didn't have much choice but to get the broom out and retrieve the mysterious object. Oh, thank goodness, no alien chicken footed creature, it was a seed potato growing. Don't know how this little tater got away from me but it did. I guess when I had the seed potatoes in the laundry room getting ready for the garden dropped this one. Out of sight out of mind. So does this mean I am a really good gardener or a really bad housekeeper?

Until next time.

Blessings,

Laurie

Everyone's Hungry & Momma Doesn't Want to Cook

If you are like me and get carried away working in the garden, time just flies by. Then before you realize it, time for the family to eat. Everyone's hungry and you are not in the mood to cook.

Here is one of my family's favorite meals. It's so easy and quick, but most importantly nutritious and filling. It's my Turkey Chili recipe. Now you might be thinking, it's getting pretty warm outside, a chili recipe, yes here in Texas seems like all year round is good chili weather. If your garden is already producing these ingredients then it tastes even better.

Feeds 6-8 people
Here's what you need for my 1 Pot Turkey Chili
1 large pot with a lid
1 lb. ground turkey
1 onion chopped
2-3 cloves of garlic chopped
4-5 mushrooms sliced
2 carrots sliced
1/2 green bell pepper chopped
1 -8 oz can tomato sauce
1-14 1/2 oz can diced tomato with or without green chilies
1-15 oz can of beans your choice drained (my family likes black beans)
2-3 Tblsp chili powder
2 cups Chicken broth
Salt to Taste
Cilantro
shredded cheese-your choice
sour cream
2-3 Tbsp olive oil
1 bag tortilla chips.

In the large pan put olive oil, onions, garlic and mushrooms and lightly brown. Then add ground turkey and throughly cook. Sprinkle chili powder and salt on top of meat mixture. Add cans of tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beans, chicken broth, carrots, and bell peppers. Cook on med/high temperature until mixture heats up and starts to boil. Then cover and turn down to simmer for 30 minutes.
Place a serving in a bowl. Put a handful of tortilla chips in bowl. Then top chili with a garnish of shredded cheese, sour cream and chopped cilantro. Can be eaten with tortilla chips in the chili.

Enjoy both your day in the garden and satisfying a hungry family.

Blessings,
Laurie
http://www.fancythat3g.com/

Building The Garden Path Part 2

Here is the result of 4-1/2 hrs of work. Another section of the garden path has been completed, yeah!!!. Of course I pick the day that we have had the highest temperature for 2009, 88 degrees. I felt every one of those degrees today. It didn't matter how much water and gaterade I drank, I was still hot and we were under a haze that had smoke from the fires burning in the area and polution. But, thank God, I did it! Moved another 2000 lbs of rock. So I am getting closer to being completed. I estimate another 1-2 days worth of work and I should be home free.


The cats had a really hard day too, not. Here's what they were hard working on while I was sweating away.







Until the final steps. Hopefully before it hits the upper 90's, but in Texas never know.

Blessings,
Laurie
http://www.fancythat3g.com/

Here We Go

If you have visited my website fancythat3g.com, you might have visited the garden page. There you would see Maranatha Garden Friends and the goals we hope to attain.

Some more exciting deveolpments happened today at church. I made a contact that has agreed to check with their board to possibly donate seeds to our community. Wouldn't this be wonderful, not only teach but give people struggling to make ends meet and who desire to grow food for themselves the seeds and or plants to do so.

This same ministry group of 21 people from all over the country, will be going overseas to Africa this May. Part of their trip will be to minister medical attention to over 400 people, but for 1000 families also bring seeds and teach them ways to grow their own food.

Next year they may be planning a trip and I just may be going along to help with the training in the agricultural section of the trip. Life is never dull if you let God plan your life and agree to go where He directs. Never know what this small town farm girl will be doing.

Until next time.

Blessings,

Laurie
www.fancythat3g.com

Big Chicks; Little Chicks and a Few Too Many Cats

We got 8 new little chicks a few weeks ago. They are growing so quickly. Their fluff is now almost gone and their adult feathers are filling out nicely.

I thought today with all of the much needed rain, we got over 3" in my area, that they were going to have to grow some webbed feet. So that for the rain, but also grateful the ground is quickly soaking it up.

The chicks typically share the pen with 7 other hens, and our rooster, "Big Boy." Can't believe at this time last year they were just little chicks.

But their first night here on the farm, Diva, our very mischievous cat, had other ideas. I was so proud of myself, telling my cautious husband, that the pen was very secure. No outside intruders would be dining on my chicks.

It was my last check on them and I couldn't believe my eyes. Diva and her cohort, Huggy, were in the pen with the chicks. Not for a late night snack, but to stay warm under their heat lamp! So I spent the next hour resecuring the pen and was at last confident no intruders would be entering our pen.

Roosters can be a problem. They get very protective of the "girls" in the flock. Most of the time this rooster leaves me alone. I found that if I go into the pen without making any sudden movements, he doesn't easily get into his defensive mode. I carry a stick, but saw on a t.v. program that water meter readers carry a pop up umbrella in the color of black to fend off agressive dogs. Haven't tried it yet, but I bet this would be a good thing for roosters too.

This Rooster is a rare "Delaware" breed. The hens are a mixture of Aracanuas, Barred Rocks, Polish, New England and Rhode Island Reds, and Gold Sex Links. All the different breeds make for an interesting and colorful egg collecting, it's like Easter every day.

Can't wait to get my garden paths finished and a fence around the perimeter. I will then be letting the chickens free range to help with insect and critter control. I think every farm and gardener could benefit from a flock of chickens. If you don't have some now, I hope you will soon.

Blessings,

Laurie

http://www.fancythat3g.com/

Building a gravel garden pathway

I originally ordered 1 ton of pea gravel, but realized I would need 2 more tons. You will also need landscape paper. I used the 3'x120' rolls. The square foot area of the total garden pathways is 800'. Inexpensive black garbage bags are great for filling in the gap between the raised bed boards and the landscape paper, the area between my beds are 4' and the paper is only 3' wide.

Also, a regular household staple gun. It is used to staple the paper/and or garbage liners to the boards before dumping the gravel on top. Another note: Be sure to leave extra paper to over lap at the ends of the beds. This makes it easier to lay another layer of paper along side the exsisting row.

So now you are ready to get started building the garden pathways.. It is a laborous chore, but for myself and husband, we hope it will be well worth it now that Spring is here and the grass is growing once again. It can be a real headache mowing and edging around each raised bed.

The pea gravel I found out is deceivingly heavy. I could only muster up enough strength to load 10 shovel fulls of gravel in the wheelbarrow at a time. Then I would take it to the bed and dump on top of the paper. When I got at least 4-5 loads I would start spreading the gravel out to make a base. It took about 10 wheelbarrow loads of gravel to fill a 4'x8' area 3" in depth.

Well, I accomplished my goal for today. In a few weeks if the weather and my back co-operate I will continue the task. Check back and I will let you know how it's going.

Until next time, keep gardening but take some time to enjoy the fruits of your hard labor.

Blessings,

Laurie

http://www.fancythat3g.com/