Readers, Welcome to my blog (formerly Birds, Blooms, Books, etc). I'm entering a new decade taking on the challenge of moving from Maryland after living there 46 years and learning about my new home here in New England in the Live Free or Die state - New Hampshire. Join me as a write this new chapter of my life.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Harvest Monday

Tuesday 8/24: 2 eggplant, 1 zucchini, & 3 tomatoes (no photo!)

Below - Wednesday, 8/25


Thursday, 8/26:
Friday, 8/27:
Monday, 8/30:
The green beans are looking like I might get enough to eat this week. The habanero peppers are just setting fruit. I hope there is enough time for them to ripen before the first frost.

The snowpeas, beets, and spinach I sowed last week are showing. So far no turkeys eating the peas!

See what other gardeners are doing at Daphne's Dandelions.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Hibiscus & Other Trial Plants

These are the three hibiscus stems (Pink Cloud) I got from my friend in Nebraska at Bluebird Nursery to try out. They are no longer stems but a thriving bush.

The flowers are the size of plates. Don't you love that color?





I sprayed them with liquid fence yesterday since I did see some deer munching had happened.

I plan to enjoy this for years to come.

I've lost two of the plant varieties I was trying out: the geranium Dark Reiter and the Geum Koi. Our very hot humid summer took its toll on them. Below is the Phlox Natascha with its ground hog protection. Of the three I got this one has bloomed the most because even though they are just a bed apart this one probably gets a little more sun.

The Heuchera Snow Angel below loves its location.

More Heucheras: these are Limelight, followed by Carmel. I moved them to this lower light location and they seem to be doing well.


Last but not least is the Scutellaria with its tiny blue flowers.

If you are interested in any of these varieties check out Bluebird Nursery.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Harvest Monday Rolls Around Again!


Last Monday I harvested 11 tomatoes, 4 were from a volunteer plant in my perennial bed. I've since pulled that one out since the tomato hornworms found it.

Thursday, I harvested 4 tomatoes, 3 eggplants, and 2 cucumbers. All of which were used that night for dinner.

Friday I harvested these tomatoes, cubanelle pepper, and the Brussels sprouts below.

This morning I harvested 1 zucchini and 7 tomatoes.

I took the photo of this green bean on Friday and I ate it raw today. I hope there will be more to pick this week.


There are green peppers, eggplants, small zucchini and some cucumbers out there not quite ready to be harvested. I hope they don't all ripen at once since there are only two of us eating from this garden now.

See other harvests at Daphne's Dandelions.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Brussels Sprouts

Never again will I plant Brussels sprouts! I do like to eat them, but I'm the only one of the two of us who does. I planted them this spring for the very first time as a whim. They weren't in my garden plan, but I saw them as seedlings at the Southern States store and I thought why not. I didn't realize that they were major bug attractors and that they smelled. Also I was unaware of their size and that they grow from spring until late fall. How foolish of me.

I used metal supports and tied them up with hose but they still fell over into the paths.


Every time I walked past them I disturbed a cloud of tiny white flies.

I don't know what this sprout was doing, but its open and growing.

Yesterday was the day I removed them to the compost bin. I managed to pick off some sprouts though they are uneaten for now and resting in the refrigerator. I though Sarah would want some for dinner tonight but that's not to be. I had thought to give some away to a vegetarian friend but now I won't see her next week. Freeze them? Maybe, but how good will they be then?



Here's my harvest.