Flowers from the Garden

Scott's bottles. 

Don't give up on zuccas!

This year, I successfully managed the squash, I think. I planted many more than I expected to live knowing that squash borers would get some (and they did). Finally, my forty four living plants bore fruit at a steady pace.
Almanac Gardener farm extension agents assured viewers however to prepare for the worst, because that's just the way it is, not to give up, but to plant squash successively, brave garden warrior! I did as advised knowing from past experience that my four, reliable producers would give out.
It's been ugly, ugly, fellow earth turners. Early losses, seeds failed to germinate, and seedlings that languished for no discernable reason. Despite Neem oil, aluminum foil, garlic-onion-cayenne pepper spray and some needle piercing of nasty, life sucking, caterpillars powdery mildew was the KO punch.

It's been ugly, ugly, fellow earth turners. Early losses, seeds failed to germinate, and seedlings that just sit without growing. Not to mention those pale, slimy squash borers. But... I have another in the wings with a small zucca forming. I planted a new seedlings yesterday and more seeds gave sprouted. Victory! I think. 

The  squash we have harvested made yummy casserole for a family reunion and other dinners, fried squash succotash, zucchini pancakes and, most luscious and infinitely more healthy, tiny squashes halved and baked with a brush of olive oil and a sprinkle of parmesan.

Round 2

July 4th

Happy 4th

Fifty years ago, July 4th 1963, my father took my brother and me out to the family farm to pick blackberries, wild blackberries, thorns and all. Our family had just moved back to North Carolina. I was 10, Charlie 9. Sisters stayed home; too young. We were instructed to make plenty of noise to scare off bears and snakes. Oh yeah, we were out in the woods. Charlie and I were good at the noise part. Turns out we were good at picking blackberries too. It was really special to spend time with just my father, no babies and no Betty.  I'm sure a pie was made with those berries because Daddy loved all baked sweets. This year, as if in celebration of a half century of blackberry love, our domesticated, thornless berries are plump and ripening this week. I stood in the backyard this morning and ate my fill transported back to that magical family time. How sweet it was.

Summer!

What a great summer we've had! I know, there are haters. They've hated the cool Spring and this year's abundant rain but me and my garden, we're lovin' it. I'm getting a fistful of green beans every day, and over a period of three days that is just right amount for husband Scott and me to have with dinner. We're still eating cabbage that's keeping in the fridge. It is the sweetest and juiciest we have ever harvested. Squash, yellow and green, matures every day. The yellow summer squash is the lumpy, bumpy kind. I love it.  The tomatoes are coming off at last. Banana peppers are old reliables. Okra is up and sweet potatoes slips were planted to replace the potatoes dug up last weekend. Both would love some blistering hot days. Me? Not so much. Last night's dinner was mostly vegetables: smothered green beans and potatoes, corn and tomatoes. I know, I should'a made corn bread. Our beans are yellow and green thanks to Scott. Great,fun, eating.  A delicious home cooked meal. I think Daddy would be pleased and more than a little surprised.

My Birthday!

Six decades? Impossible!

It's a big 'un. And what a beautiful day it is! There are light clouds covering the sun, a slight breeze and  at 10:00 am it's  a balmy 78 degrees. I've hung towels on the clothesline. I walked my three year old birthday dog, Scout, to the Lumber after eating homemade yogurt and fresh picked strawberries for breakfast, got called over to the fence to be gifted a bottle of Merlot and gardenias.  Jonathan sent flowers in their most elemental form-seeds. And they are my personal favorites, zinnias. The best gift? It's my first day of summer break. Ye, haw! Beat that world.
Gardening notes: Okra is in, zinnias and green beans are up. Squash is doing it's thing. Potatoes are still in the ground but we've poached a few and they are delish.

Scott's Cabbage!

           

               Perfect cabbages. Crunchy and sweet. What a nice surprise.

Mon petit chou

Jonathan's Carrots

Carrots and lettuce are harvested for the season. It is time for all crops summer because the heat is on like Donkekong. I caved and turned on the air conditioning May 31st. We mourn the day. Muted are the songs of twittering Martins, cooing Doves and soulful calls of Mississippi Kites.

Gifted seeds