The monarch butterfly has returned today and is definitely a female. I have eggs! Watched her lay about 10 eggs. So I guess I should probably be ordering a mesh cage. Anyone have recommendations? 🌱
I finally saw a monarch in the garden today! Did a lot of flitting around but didn’t stay long. Wasn’t able to tell if it was male or female so we’ll have to keep an eye on the milkweed patch. 🌱
First major tomatillo harvest. This means I’m about to be swimming in them soon. Because once they start, they don’t stop until you beg for mercy. I really wish I had a freeze dryer. Who wants to sponsor me!? 🤓 🌱
Hmmm I seem to be in a pickle. Tomatoes are growing too fast and have reached the 7 foot trellis top before the bottom fruit is ripe. Which means I can’t lower and lean the vine. 🌱
Today’s lunch from the garden will be Verde rice. Some green and purple tomatillos, shishito, jalapeno, garlic, and cilantro. In the oven it goes to char and caramelize. No onion so I’ll have to use some chives. 🌱 🍽️
I am having the worst time ever this year with either squirrels or raccoons taking my tomatoes. 😭 In the past it’s usually one or two a week. This year it’s several every day, and just before they blush. Put a bowl of water out last week and it hasn’t helped. The feral 🐱 around here are useless! 🌱
Prunella vulgaris, or commonly called Heal-all. Do you have it and do you recommend? I’m in zone 6. It’s in the mint family so that always makes me pause in concern. Found it while camping and might snag a bit. 🌱
My partner was at Home Depot the other day, and he informed me that they had Mandevillas on sale for $10. For ten…dollars! No he didn’t get me one. So that’s grounds for divorce, correct? 🌱
I have no idea how not a single sunflower fell over from the crazy storms we had. It’s believed that we had in excess of 10 tornadoes in the area, with the closest one thankfully a couple miles away. Whew! 🌱
I dunno why but I really struggled to get cukes growing this year. Here it is the middle of July and I finally have a cucumber plant. Maybe late cucumbers will help me miss the powdery mildew side of things. 🌱
This may be my new favorite filler plant. The “Inch Plant” or Tradescantia zebrina. The way it completely filled this pedestal planter and flower box is awesome. It’s super easy to root new cuttings too for over-wintering and planting back out the following season. 🌱
Well that’s new. I’m not sure I’ve seen “suckers” form off the ends of tomato fruiting stems before. It’s happening on several different plants. Have I just never noticed this in all the years before? Am I going crazy? 🌱
I just got the jump-scare of my life. I was just sitting by the fire, smores ingredients by my side. A family of raccoons snuck up on me and stole my shit! 🤣 #camping#wildlife
Milkweed beetles are always having sexy time it seems. Take a break! Geez. Maybe this is why no monarchs come around. They don’t want their children influenced by this backyard brothel. Think of the kids! 🌱
Look at all these radish pods! They are my favorite little snack while working in the garden. I often ponder why these aren’t sold in markets. They’re so tasty! 🌱
This is your friendly reminder. You should think about ordering your garlic bulbs soon for fall planting. The preorder lists will be opening soon with most sellers, and the favorite varieties always sell out fast. 🌱
Swallowtail visited today and laid at least 50 eggs on my dill. Which is good because I have a ton of dill and only one baby caterpillar. I really need to get a caterpillar tent one of these days. 🌱
