Garden Update!!

I've been away from both the garden and blog lately.  I'm still considering my option for the future of the side-yard project.  AND, it rained most of the weekend and it's still drizzling today.  I didn't let a little, (a lot) of rain get me down. 

Since the ground had been completely saturated this weekend I figured it was time to add a bit of fertilizer.  This morning I went out to inspect the garden and, to my horror, found SNAILS in the garden.  Lots of snails!  I had a solution!  Epsom salt to the rescue.  Not only is is a great source of phosphorus which the plants needed but it also gets rid of snails and will hopefully keep them away.  Next on the list of soil amendments was Nitrogen.  Several weeks ago I purchased organic blood meal which is a great source of Nitrogen and Tomatoes LOVE it!

As for the remaining seedlings, I've already transplanted most into larger pots while they await their final destination.

Happy Friday!

True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shock of adversity, before it is entitled to appellation.

-George Washington

Made in America!

Last night I watched a great clip about a house being built entirely from products Made in America.  The man behind the idea, Anders Lewindal, states that if other builders simply used 5% more "Made in America" products on homes being built, it would create 220,000 jobs right now!

Check out the video clip.

I think this is an AMAZING idea and a great opportunity to support the people in your community as well as companies in America.

New Space in the Garden (Part 2)

On Thursday I posted about the new spot in the garden.  My timing on transplanting could not have been better if I had planned it! It rained off and on Friday and poured Friday night into Saturday morning.

Things are happening behind the scenes so I'm not sure about the future of my side-yard project.  More on that later.  For now, I have decided to go back to containers.  I have quite a few left from last year as well as maturing compost and organic soil amendments.  This afternoon I'll begin the transformation. {sigh}  I was really looking forward to a complete and successful project.

La La La La Life goes on!

New additions: Hungarian Heart Tomato, Cal Wonder Bell, Tam Jalapeno, Pak Choi, Small Sugar Pumpkin and Marigolds.

Current Patio dwellers: Detroit Dark Red Beet, Little Gem Lettuce, Pimento Pepper,  Huckleberry and Spinach.

A New Space in the Garden

I've had to take a few plants out of the garden that were not producing.  In fact, they didn't even look like they were going to make it much longer.  I'm very disappointed and sad to see them go.  However, I'm looking forward to adding a few seedlings that are ready to be transplanted.

I've started clearing away old mulch and pulling weeds.  The area is about 2 and a half feet wide and about 6 feet long.  It doesn't look like much now but I'll post pictures again once I complete this project.

While I was working in the garden this morning I found a hideous creature!!  The dreaded tomato hornworm.  The picture below doesn't even do this monster justice.  It was almost 2 inches long and it was a fat little guy!!!!

The next seedling to go into the side-yard project are 2 more Cal Wonder Peppers, 2 Jalapeno Peppers and a Hungarian Heart Tomato.  

These were almost cat food!

The Little Gem Lettuce and the Pak Choi are doing marvelous!  I have them in containers on the front porch.

Happy planting!!!

More Soap for October!

I didn't forget to post pictures of the Organic Star Anise soap but I've had my hands full lately.  Between the Breast Cancer Awareness campaign at the office and the aphids in the garden I've been a very girl.

The soap turned out an amazing shade of PINK!  If you've never smelled Star Anise it is delicious.  It kinda smells like black licorice.

For information about Breast Cancer and prevention check out Susan G. Komen.

Aphids!

The cucumbers have been defeated!  I didn't do a very good job of preventing an aphid infestation and they came by the thousands.  They set up camp and went to work on the Cucumbers.  Bummer!  I was really looking forward to more pickles!

Over the weekend I made a stronger batch of garlic spray.  Once it was ready I went to work fight off the little devils.  I'll check out the garden this morning, maybe spray one last time and then wait.  The garlic spray consists of oil, garlic cloves and water and it takes 24 hours per batch.  I add the liquid to a spray bottle and go to work.  I didn't want to use this method because it can harm other soft bodied insects such as lady bugs but I had no choice.

The upside to removing the cucumbers is that I have a few other plants waiting to be planted.  I'll be adding compost, manure and a bit of organic fertilizer to the bare side of the garden and in they go.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

I'm getting fired up for October!  Below is a copy of the flier I use for my office.  I've also included the PINK soap I made.

Breast Cancer

Awareness Month

Recent estimates from the ACS in the United States alone for 2009

are as follows:

About 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women

About 62,280 new cases of situ (CIS) will be diagnosed (CIS is non-invasive and is the earliest form of breast cancer)

About 40,170 women will die from breast cancer.

Find out how to reduce your risk for cancer

Free Health Workshop: Thursday at 6pm

Space is limited. Please call to reserve your spot.

Speaker: Dr. Robert Hart

2110 Tyler St,    Hollywood, FL 33020

(954) 364-8841

http://www.dochartchiro.com

Complimentary Nutrition and Spinal Evaluation ($95 Value)     Expires: October 31, 2011