Who knew potato eye-sprouts could be so pretty?
These here are from a red potato.
These here are from a red potato.
Showing posts with label Picture of the Day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Picture of the Day. Show all posts
Sunday
Saturday
Picture of the Day
We've never really had a problem with pests in our little garden. Some of our plot neighbors are obsessed with keeping deer, rabbits, etc. out but we've really only seen a few rabbits and absolutely no deer.
So it surprised us when our first round of lettuce was pecked to death by birds.
We wised up and protected our second batch.
So far, so good.
So it surprised us when our first round of lettuce was pecked to death by birds.
We wised up and protected our second batch.
So far, so good.
Sunday
Picture of the Day
Look what I found wiggling through our dirt!
We named him Cletus.
After a brief talk (in which I told Cletus I hope I don't accidentally spear him with a garden tool when next we meet) I bid him goodbye and wished him many worm children.
Friday
Picture of the Day
I don't have any farm-related pictures form those months we were absent. So, this is from Christmas. Adam and I are in front and my cute-to-boot niece is next to me (and my sister and parents).
Tuesday
Picture of the Day
You may have noticed that we haven't had a plethora of actual farm posts recently.
We've talked about my dog, our farming politics, roasted potatoes and lasagna. Noticeably absent from that list of topics is the farm. How it's doing, what's growing, what's not growing, etc.
The biggest reason for this glaring omission is that I, frankly, have not been to the farm in about 2 weeks. I am on a new, summer schedule at work that has me arriving home later in the evening and feeling very much like a homebody when I get there.
Not to mention the fact that it is h-o-t and, despite the fact that our little apartment has no AC and closely resembles a brick oven, we are at least out of the sun while we are here.
Adam has been going to the garden and, judging from the produce and frustrations he brings back, I can tell you:
The once bally-hooed revival of our bell peppers is over. They are, in fact, dead.
Okra, tomatoes, herbs and flowers are growing like crazy.
Corn...not yet.
Potatoes....almost over.
Beans...growing but no beans. We are worried.
The weeds are growing like, well, weeds.
So, back to the dill.
A while ago we made pickles with our own pickling cucumbers and dill and I promise, promise, promise to post a picking paragraph tomorrow.
And fast on its heels will be a post about our plans for autumn crops and "What We've Learned from our First Season at the Plot"
In the meantime, enjoy the dill flowers.
We've talked about my dog, our farming politics, roasted potatoes and lasagna. Noticeably absent from that list of topics is the farm. How it's doing, what's growing, what's not growing, etc.
The biggest reason for this glaring omission is that I, frankly, have not been to the farm in about 2 weeks. I am on a new, summer schedule at work that has me arriving home later in the evening and feeling very much like a homebody when I get there.
Not to mention the fact that it is h-o-t and, despite the fact that our little apartment has no AC and closely resembles a brick oven, we are at least out of the sun while we are here.
Adam has been going to the garden and, judging from the produce and frustrations he brings back, I can tell you:
The once bally-hooed revival of our bell peppers is over. They are, in fact, dead.
Okra, tomatoes, herbs and flowers are growing like crazy.
Corn...not yet.
Potatoes....almost over.
Beans...growing but no beans. We are worried.
The weeds are growing like, well, weeds.
So, back to the dill.
A while ago we made pickles with our own pickling cucumbers and dill and I promise, promise, promise to post a picking paragraph tomorrow.
And fast on its heels will be a post about our plans for autumn crops and "What We've Learned from our First Season at the Plot"
In the meantime, enjoy the dill flowers.
Monday
Picture of the Day
Before the Bloom
Sometimes, flowers are pretty before they bloom too.
This is one of the flowers in our "wildflower" mix. I'm not sure what kind of flower it is. Its leaves look like dill leaves but I'll be sure to post a picture of it when it blooms.
Sometimes, flowers are pretty before they bloom too.
This is one of the flowers in our "wildflower" mix. I'm not sure what kind of flower it is. Its leaves look like dill leaves but I'll be sure to post a picture of it when it blooms.
Saturday
Picture of the Day
We found this caterpillar munching on our dill.
Two days later he was in a cocoon.
(This one's for you Colin.)
Two days later he was in a cocoon.
Tuesday
Picture of the Day
Don't call it a comeback
Yet.
But, do you see what I see?
A bell pepper flower? With beautiful green leaves surrounding it?
So exciting!
I'm trying not to let my bell pepper dreams run away with me but I'm already thinking of all the things I can make with these as-of-yet-nonexistent fruits.
We were about ready to throw in the shovel (sorry, I had to) and then the plants had a rebound. I'm not sure what caused it. We did fertilize them and give them extra water. And when we watered THIS time, they had mulch to protect them from the bacteria that supposedly splashed up on their lower leaves.
We'll see. Keep your fingers crossed and your good bell-pepper vibes coming.
Yet.
But, do you see what I see?
A bell pepper flower? With beautiful green leaves surrounding it?
So exciting!
I'm trying not to let my bell pepper dreams run away with me but I'm already thinking of all the things I can make with these as-of-yet-nonexistent fruits.
We were about ready to throw in the shovel (sorry, I had to) and then the plants had a rebound. I'm not sure what caused it. We did fertilize them and give them extra water. And when we watered THIS time, they had mulch to protect them from the bacteria that supposedly splashed up on their lower leaves.
We'll see. Keep your fingers crossed and your good bell-pepper vibes coming.
Saturday
Picture of the Day
Can you spot the bug on this corn "feather?"
Did you find it?
Well, that one was a warm-up.
What about this next one. Can you see the bug on the flower stalk?
A bit tricky, isn't it?
Every time we go to the farm, I spot a new bug or two. I'm not sure what they are called. I'm not even sure if they are good or bad. (Although, I'm sure Adam knows.)
But I'm hoping that it's about half and half.
And that the good half like to eat the bad half.
But I'll stay away from the insecticides and let the bugs fight their own battles.
Friday
Picture of the Day
Happy 4th of July!
What's prettier than a firecracker?
A butterfly.
This one made a pit stop at one of the wildflowers in our garden. Butterflies, hummingbirds and honeybees have all stopped by our little patch of garden and we couldn't be happier.
There is also a baby bunny rabbit somewhere in the garden. Our plot neighbors are horrified but we think he's cute. I haven't been able to get a picture of him.
Yet.
In case you are wondering, and I know you are, this butterfly is a Black Swallowtail and is found primarily in "open fields and woodland meadows." * That fits the environment surrounding our plot to a T.
*This is according to the A Golden Guide: Butterflies and Moths book that Adam handed to me when I asked, "I wonder what he's called?
What's prettier than a firecracker?
A butterfly.
This one made a pit stop at one of the wildflowers in our garden. Butterflies, hummingbirds and honeybees have all stopped by our little patch of garden and we couldn't be happier.
There is also a baby bunny rabbit somewhere in the garden. Our plot neighbors are horrified but we think he's cute. I haven't been able to get a picture of him.
Yet.
In case you are wondering, and I know you are, this butterfly is a Black Swallowtail and is found primarily in "open fields and woodland meadows." * That fits the environment surrounding our plot to a T.
*This is according to the A Golden Guide: Butterflies and Moths book that Adam handed to me when I asked, "I wonder what he's called?
Picture of the Day
What ISN'T doing well
Lest I give you the impression that every plant in our garden is going great guns, take a look at this bell pepper plant above. What? You say that all you see is a stick?
Exactly.
Our bell peppers have never really done anything. When they first started growing, the bottom leaves died and fell off. Now, ALL of the leaves are dying and falling, leaving us with what you see above.
And absolutely no bell peppers.
As I mentioned before, we aren't the only ones afflicted with this problem. But we don't really know how to solve it and we are about to pull all of our bell peppers. If it had been up to Adam, we would have pulled them long ago but I'm slightly more optimistic (or naive, take your pick) and we've left them.
But after arriving at the garden and finding the above, I'm about ready to relent.
Something else that isn't growing well, almost overnight, has been our squash. They started getting these milky white coating of fungus all over them and they just didn't look healthy. Adam theorized that it was because we were watering them at night and, after speaking with a more seasoned farmer, he determined that he was correct.
After one day of watering during the day, instead of at night, the squash started making a rebound.
Amazing.
The only other plant that isn't thriving is a tomato. ALL of our tomatoes are doing great except one and, of course, it is the one that was a gift. For whatever reason, it started getting all wilty despite the fact that it was getting just as much water as the rest of the tomatoes. It is a Brandywine tomato so I'm not sure if they have different requirements than roma or beefsteak.
So there. I've sufficiently tarnished your picture-perfect vision of our garden and our small reputations as gardening professionals.
Lest I give you the impression that every plant in our garden is going great guns, take a look at this bell pepper plant above. What? You say that all you see is a stick?
Exactly.
Our bell peppers have never really done anything. When they first started growing, the bottom leaves died and fell off. Now, ALL of the leaves are dying and falling, leaving us with what you see above.
And absolutely no bell peppers.
As I mentioned before, we aren't the only ones afflicted with this problem. But we don't really know how to solve it and we are about to pull all of our bell peppers. If it had been up to Adam, we would have pulled them long ago but I'm slightly more optimistic (or naive, take your pick) and we've left them.
But after arriving at the garden and finding the above, I'm about ready to relent.
Something else that isn't growing well, almost overnight, has been our squash. They started getting these milky white coating of fungus all over them and they just didn't look healthy. Adam theorized that it was because we were watering them at night and, after speaking with a more seasoned farmer, he determined that he was correct.
After one day of watering during the day, instead of at night, the squash started making a rebound.
Amazing.
The only other plant that isn't thriving is a tomato. ALL of our tomatoes are doing great except one and, of course, it is the one that was a gift. For whatever reason, it started getting all wilty despite the fact that it was getting just as much water as the rest of the tomatoes. It is a Brandywine tomato so I'm not sure if they have different requirements than roma or beefsteak.
So there. I've sufficiently tarnished your picture-perfect vision of our garden and our small reputations as gardening professionals.
Thursday
Wednesday
Picture of the Day
Bean Blossom
Who knew a bean blossom could be so pretty? This is a blossom from one of our purple pole beans that are climbing up a rusty piece of metal. They are getting big but no beans...yet.
Who knew a bean blossom could be so pretty? This is a blossom from one of our purple pole beans that are climbing up a rusty piece of metal. They are getting big but no beans...yet.
Monday
Picture of the Day
This One's for the Girls!
In honor of my new niece Jacqueline, born exactly 1 week ago today.
And for my not-as-new-but-still-pretty-darn-new niece Dorothy who is now about 9 months old and was the youngest person in attendance at my wedding.
Enjoy the flower, girls, while I try to think of something manly for your new cousin (and my new nephew) who is also new to this world. Perhaps some good bug pictures?
It'd be a nice departure from all the flower pictures of late. I just can't stop myself. They are all so pretty!
Sunday
Picture of the Day
Send Good Sweet Potato Thoughts (Part 2)
Keep 'em coming because I think they are working!
Keep 'em coming because I think they are working!
Friday
Picture of the Day
Peppers Performing Poorly
Our peppers are not well. At first, all of the lower leaves fell off. Now, the plants are spindly looking and the leaves have brown spots on them. We are really disappointed because peppers might just be our favorite vegetable. But, we are somewhat mollified because all of our neighbors' peppers are doing the same thing.
Someone said it is a bacteria that lives in the soil. When you water the plant, the bacteria splashes up on to the lower leaves and proceeds to kill them.
I don't know if this is true or not.
Adam and I haven't given up on them yet. We have mulched them and are looking into some different fertilizer for them.
Our peppers are not well. At first, all of the lower leaves fell off. Now, the plants are spindly looking and the leaves have brown spots on them. We are really disappointed because peppers might just be our favorite vegetable. But, we are somewhat mollified because all of our neighbors' peppers are doing the same thing.
Someone said it is a bacteria that lives in the soil. When you water the plant, the bacteria splashes up on to the lower leaves and proceeds to kill them.
I don't know if this is true or not.
Adam and I haven't given up on them yet. We have mulched them and are looking into some different fertilizer for them.
Wednesday
Picture of the Day
Small Harvest
This is the last harvest we took before we both went out of town for the weekend+. What you don't see in the picture are the mounds of arugula and basil that we gave to a farm friend. I sincerely hope some of our neighbors harvest some things while we are gone.
Otherwise, I'm going to come back to a jungle on Thursday when I return.
I have been in Nashville to greet the birth of my new niece, Jacqueline Elisabeth. She was born Monday at 12:38am and is beautiful. Adam is out of town working at a science camp and he'll be back this coming weekend.
I just hope I don't destroy the garden in the meantime. Make no mistake, Adam is the brains of this little operation of ours. I'm merely the help.
I weed. I water. I plant. I harvest.
I basically do what I'm told.
Mind you, some ideas were mine. The flowers, for instance, were my idea. Both what we planted and where we planted them.
The basic garden layout, with the circular herb/flower beds in the center, was also my idea.
But how often should we fertilize? Haven't a clue.
What pollinates a squash but eats a bean? Don't ask me.
For the sake of our hobby, our blog, our free vegetables and our confidence in our future livelihood, I hope the garden survives until Adam's return.
I'm keeping these weed-picking fingers of mine crossed.
This is the last harvest we took before we both went out of town for the weekend+. What you don't see in the picture are the mounds of arugula and basil that we gave to a farm friend. I sincerely hope some of our neighbors harvest some things while we are gone.
Otherwise, I'm going to come back to a jungle on Thursday when I return.
I have been in Nashville to greet the birth of my new niece, Jacqueline Elisabeth. She was born Monday at 12:38am and is beautiful. Adam is out of town working at a science camp and he'll be back this coming weekend.
I just hope I don't destroy the garden in the meantime. Make no mistake, Adam is the brains of this little operation of ours. I'm merely the help.
I weed. I water. I plant. I harvest.
I basically do what I'm told.
Mind you, some ideas were mine. The flowers, for instance, were my idea. Both what we planted and where we planted them.
The basic garden layout, with the circular herb/flower beds in the center, was also my idea.
But how often should we fertilize? Haven't a clue.
What pollinates a squash but eats a bean? Don't ask me.
For the sake of our hobby, our blog, our free vegetables and our confidence in our future livelihood, I hope the garden survives until Adam's return.
I'm keeping these weed-picking fingers of mine crossed.
Tuesday
Monday
Picture of the Day
Have you ever wondered what an okra blossom looked like? Yeah, me too.
I've never really taken the time to look at the plant itself. Mostly because I've been too busy eating the pod. But, it is a really pretty plant.
I think it's my favorite in the garden...and not just because I'm dreaming of bindi masala.
I've never really taken the time to look at the plant itself. Mostly because I've been too busy eating the pod. But, it is a really pretty plant.
I think it's my favorite in the garden...and not just because I'm dreaming of bindi masala.
Here they are!
I always thought okra would hang down off of the plant but look at them! I'm not sure when we are supposed to harvest them. I'm hoping Adam knows something about that.
I'm liable to get impatient.
Saturday
Picture of the Day
A Bloom Before We Go
Adam and I will both be out of town for the next few days. He is off to the Audobon Society Camp to be a counselor in (what else?) entomology.
I am off to Nashville to welcome my new niece or nephew into the world.
Our garden treated us to several zinnia blooms before we left. We treated it to a good hours-worth of sprinkler time to keep it nice and wet through the weekend.
Adam and I will both be out of town for the next few days. He is off to the Audobon Society Camp to be a counselor in (what else?) entomology.
I am off to Nashville to welcome my new niece or nephew into the world.
Our garden treated us to several zinnia blooms before we left. We treated it to a good hours-worth of sprinkler time to keep it nice and wet through the weekend.
