Gardening etc.

2006-07-27T20:58:00.000-05:00

Oh, nevermind...maybe I'll start another blog someday. Might even have another garden someday after I've forgotten this experience.

2006-06-13T14:56:00.000-05:00

Your first job is to prepare the soil. The best tool for this is your neighbor's garden tiller. If your neighbor does not own a garden tiller, suggest that he buy one. -Dave Barry

2006-05-30T18:26:00.000-05:00

Does anyone ever update this blog?

The cucumbers that were just "poking up" back at the first of April are fully sprouted now and some even have flowers blooming. They are still quite small though and really look more like plants than cucumber vines. There are 8 viable tomato plants and I believe they all have some little 'maters on them. However, they are all showing signs of Early Blight and I don't really want to use a fungicide to treat this because I would like to keep it as natural as possible. Any suggestions?

Pictures to come.

2006-04-07T13:35:00.000-05:00

The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just on the body, but the soul. -Alfred Austin

Yesterday I noticed there were several cucumber seedlings poking through the mulch.

2006-04-03T19:27:00.000-05:00

Gardening seems to be a gamble. I took a chance on getting started early and planted around mid March. It seemed like a reasonable risk to take since we had a very mild winter from December through early March. However, this IS north Texas and the spring climate is VERY unpredictable. After the getting a year's worth of rain in two days we were treated to temperatures in the mid to low 30's. Even after Theresa and I went to the trouble to cover all the plants that I had just put out the cold won. I lost all 4 tomatos and 6 of 8 pepper plants. I did save one of each tomato and transplanted them into a clay pot. Believe it or not they are showing signs of life. Then I planted 6 new tomato plants in the row; 2 Early Girl, 2 SuperFantastic, and 2 SuperSweet 100. We will have to see what happens next.

Just this past Saturday I planted some cucumber seeds along the fence. I'll wait to post more pictures once there is some impressive growth.

2006-03-22T11:54:00.000-06:00

Here is a more current photo of James and Andrea from their trip to Mexico.

2006-03-20T11:50:00.000-06:00

Today is the first day of spring and I just came across this quote:
"Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!" - Robin Williams

I just spoke with my oldest son, James, yesterday. He and his lovely wife, Andrea, just returned from their delayed honeymoon to Mexico. Then it dawned on me that I had not posted any photos of them in this space. So here is one from their wedding in May '05.

2006-03-19T18:17:00.000-06:00

So much for the shortage of rain. Remember last year when I mentioned here that we were 15" below average for the year? Things are a bit different now.

So far there has been 6-10" of rainfall in the past two days with more on the way. It would be really great to have this spread out over weeks instead of hours.

One thing you may not be able to gather from the pictures is the mulch. The cedar mulch has floated away and I'll have to replace it but the cypress mulch has stayed in place.

The importance of good drainage can not be over emphasized.

2006-03-18T21:24:00.000-06:00

Things are really moving along now. On March 10th & 11th I tilled and laid out the raised rows.

Since these pictures were taken I have planted 4 tomato plants; 2 Celebrity and 2 Early Girl; and 8 pepper plants; 2 Cubanelle, 2 Tam Jalapeno, 2 Habenero, and 2 California Wonder bells on March 16th. I now have 2 SuperSweet 100 tomato plants to add and I will be getting two of the SuperFantastic variety this week.

This year's garden plot is a 20' x 17' rectangle. I'll post more pictures as the season progresses.

2006-03-01T08:18:00.000-06:00

"I see trees of green........ red roses too...I see ’em bloom..... for me and for you...And I think to myself.... " go ahead, finish this for me.

That's right. What a wonderful world.

My wife and I went to the Neil Sperry All Garden Show this past weekend and it was really motivational. I have the itch to DIG! I bought 4 tomato and 2 pepper plants at the show. I'll be getting those repotted today to give them a little more time to strengthen before planting. I also found a brand of compost that I'm going to get to add to the existing soil to hopefully boost the fruit/vegetable production this year. Then I went to Lowe's and started getting the parts for the drip irrigation system I'm going to install. This should be much better than a lawn sprinkler or hand held watering wand.

The weather today is going to be awesome, if you like springtime weather. It will be clear and near 80 degrees. We have had some rain and now the warm weather comes. The weeds can't be far behind.

Look around and revel in the amazing rejuvenation of the earth. It's God's blessing to us all.

2006-01-04T13:44:00.000-06:00

Unbelievable! This area of Texas was over 15" below normal for annual rainfall in 2005. I think that pretty easily explains why my garden faltered and why the pecan trees failed to produce any significant nuts. Last year I used a regular lawn sprinker for my garden either in the morning or evening. This year I will be using a drip irrigation system to keep the soil moist while minimizing loss from evaporation.

The lack of rainfall is also the leading cause for the rash of wildfires we are experiencing now. Beginning in December through now fires have burned over 250,000 acres and destroyed at least 250 homes in Texas.

2005-12-21T07:16:00.000-06:00

For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations. Isaiah 61:11 NIV

Wishing a merry "CHRIST mas" to all.

2005-11-21T13:46:00.000-06:00

Oct. 6th! I didn't realize it had been so long since my last post. Here it is just a few days before Thanksgiving and I believe that fall is finally upon us. The pecan trees are almost bare and the oaks are beginning to change colors. Speaking of the pecan trees, it was a terrible year for the pecans. I have two trees of the "native" variety and they produced so few nuts that I could have held them all in two hands. One of my neighbors has a "paper shell" variety and it usually drops nuts all over the sidewalk and street which encourages me to go for a walk around the block to fill my pockets. Her tree has not produced either. It must be attributable to the extremely dry conditions we've had this year, 12" below normal rainfall.

We have reached a new benchmark in the life of young Austen. He helped me mow the yard this weekend. He ran the mower on the front yard by himself.

2005-10-06T13:00:00.000-05:00

Woo hoo!!!! Finally, a cool day. What a relief. I love the hot summers of Texas, but it's October for cryin' out loud. It is time for something resembling fall anyway. A high temp. in the 60's today. That ought to make my heat sensitive wife happy and I know it does. The people working and visiting the State Fair of Texas http://www.bigtex.com are really appreciating this change.

Speaking of THE State Fair, I have not been in at least 16 years but I'm considering going this year. I've looked over the visitor's guide and there are so many things to do that are free once you get in. My whole objection to going for so long has been my perception that everything costs so much. The tickets are available in advance for $10.50. That's not bad for an ALL day event. The parking is $9 or you can Park-n-Ride on DART for about 2 bucks. There are dozens of shows and displays that are completely free. The only real spending once inside would be Fair food, rides, and the Midway. I can avoid the Midway with no problem and neither my wife or son would want to ride any of the ripoff rides anyway. So we are going this year. Not this weekend though. This weekend is the Texas-OU game at the Cotton Bowl. You won't catch me anywhere near downtown Dallas or the Fair Park area this weekend.

2005-09-28T09:15:00.000-05:00

Another hurricane, Rita, has come and gone now. This time the impact was less devastating in the big picture but I'm certain that some families have lost all their possessions none the less. We still need to pray without ceasing for the people that live/lived in that area and for the emergency relief workers that are putting in countless hours of sacrificial effort to help those in need.

My garden on the other hand is on the verge of being tilled under for the season. I don't really have a plan this year for a "fall" garden. Of course in Texas this just means ANOTHER garden since the weather is so different from most of the country. Right now I'm waiting on my Cowhorn cayenne, Cubanelle, and habanero pepper plants to stop producing. Presently there are approximately 15 cayenne peppers, 8 cubanelles, and many habanero buds/blooms. I hate to yank the plants out until I've gotten their full complement of produce.

I've started mentally planning my plant selection and row layout for next spring. I've decided that I want more pepper plants and fewer varieties of tomatoes. I'm really seriously considering an attempt at growing yellow or red bell peppers. Have you seen how much those cost in the store?

Stay tuned for more photos in the near future.

2005-09-02T08:02:00.000-05:00

ABSOLUTELY no complaints from me! I am grieving deeply for the people in the area ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. I've watched so many news clips of the people in New Orleans without food or water for several days. My heart aches for the children who can't understand why their parents can't feed them or give them something to drink and for the parents who have no way to end there child's suffering. "Pray without ceasing." 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Just because the scene is more dramatic in New Orleans I don't want to forget the victims in Mississippi and Alabama and Florida like so many news outlets have done. Oh God, please rain Your miracles down on these people.

2005-08-25T07:45:00.000-05:00

Still H O T!!! 100+ degrees everyday. Watering the remaining plants only helps a little. Imagine if you were forced to sit out in the sun all day with just water to drink and no shade. Not good. I'm about ready to call it done and till it all under in preparation for a fall crop of something. I haven't really decided if I want to maintain a garden this fall/winter or just wait until next spring. Chances are I will wait until next spring and let the ground recover some in the meantime.

"The most noteworthy thing about gardeners is that they are always optimistic, always enterprising, and never satisfied. They always look forward to doing better than they have ever done before." - Vita Sackville-West (1892-1962)Novelist and poet

2005-08-12T14:19:00.000-05:00

I'm sure those of you that come to this blog regularly, that would be me and my buddy Drake Hawkins, were wondering if I was ever going to post something new. I've been working some overtime and other events have kept me away from the blog. Well, here it is...

It has been so incredibly hot lately that the garden is down to nothing but a few pepper plants and about 3 tomato plants that I'm sure think they are being tortured. Not that I believe plants actually "think" but it just came out that way. The peppers are doing rather well. I've given some of the habaneros and cayennes to some friends at work and they gave good reviews. One of these guys can eat a cayenne or habanero w/o anything to drink. He doesn't even sweat. Amazing. I think the movie "Men in Black" might have been based on some facts after all.

I've been doing a bit of reading lately about when and how to harvest as well as what and when to plant for a fall/winter garden. I'm going to keep the peppers going as long as I can and nurse the tomato plants that I have left.

I'll be adding a "Photos" link soon so keep your eyes open.

I came across a great quote a little earlier and wanted to share it here (maybe someone will read it): "When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers, just men who will rule in the fear of God. The preservation of a [our] government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty; If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made not for the public good so much as for the selfish or local purposes; Corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the Laws; the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizens will be violated or disregarded. If a [our] government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the Laws." Noah Webster 1832

2005-07-21T11:07:00.000-05:00

It's been over a week now since my last post and the garden is showing signs of neglect and "heat exhaustion." There will be no pictures of it in its current state. The weather in Arlington (TX) has been HOT and DRY. I've been busy at work and family duties to tend to the garden much so the desired plants are looking fatigued and the weeds are looking strong. I'd like to find a way to cultivate a market for garden weeds because I have that well under control.

The tomato plants have gone on vacation except for the Sweet 100s and the Pear varieties. I'm getting more Pear tomatos than I can eat. The Sweet 100s started out being a good size cherry tomato but lately have become more of a small marble size. I think the plant is tired. I'll have to take a cutting to root it and try for a fall crop. I have found out, too late, that tomatos should not be planted near pecan trees. The yard behind my garden has several pecan trees and some hang almost right over the tomato portion of my garden.

Lately, Theresa and I have been discussing the possibility or likelihood of moving to a more rural setting. We would love to have a place with 10+ acres to grow more crops and even some livestock. I've started looking into owning an organic, sustainable, grass-based family farm. I have found several in the North Texas area and will be making plans to visit some as soon as possible to see how they make things work. I know that some families make products that they sell for income but others have internet based businesses for income. I'd really like to live off of what we make or grow and sell enough to buy what we cannot produce.

2005-07-08T23:42:00.000-05:00

After 2 weeks of no rain a big storm came through yesterday and wreaked havoc on the garden. The dill plants were almost flat. A pepper plant was blown halfway to the ground. Most importantly, I learned the importance of sturdy tomato cages. I've read about some of the structures that serious gardeners use to support their tomato plants and now I know why. I had one plant that was inside a triangular cage made of light gauge wire and it was blown clean over on top of another tom plant. It looked really ugly when I first went to assess the damage.

2005-06-27T09:52:00.000-05:00

Things are looking better. This picture is two months after the earlier shot. We've enjoyed several tomatos already and have a bowl full of Sweet 100 cherry toms and Pear toms to eat up. There are several cucumbers about ready to harvest. Have already picked 3 Cubanelle peppers and 4 or 5 Tams (mild form of jalapeno). Just the other day Theresa noticed several blooms on the pumpkin plants. They were planted just for fun to see if we could get a pumpkin to grow. I got the pumpkin starts by cutting up and throwing the pumpkin from last fall in the garden as compost. I got all kinds of starts but just kept 3 and treated the others as weeds. Now there are 2 left and both are doing well.

It has been really hot (upper 90s) and dry the last week+ and it is only June. I'm really concerned about the health of the plants come July and August.

2005-06-22T15:27:00.000-05:00

The beginning of spring garden 2005. As you can tell from the date on the picture I did get a late start this year. Well, it was late for Texas anyway. New picture coming soon.

2005-06-21T16:16:00.000-05:00

"Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their kinds. And it was so." (Genesis 1:11)

So as soon as God had created the earth He planted a garden. He did this before he created the sun, moon, or stars.

"Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. " (Gen. 1:29)

A few days after he created the garden he gave it to Adam to tend. So there you have it; God thought gardening so important that he created one before the sun and as humans we were made to be gardeners by God Himself. It's in our blood.

I love gardening. I've been around gardens since helping my paternal grandfather when I was just a small boy. It is so rewarding to plant something, watch it grow, and receive a usable product for your efforts. There are no shortage of challenges either. Bugs, disease, too much sun, and too much rain are some of the issues to keep you using your brain to get the most from your toilings. Oh, and birds, don't forget the graceful acrobats of the air. Birds can be very enjoyable to watch as they fly and go about their bird business but I don't care to see even one within 10 feet of my garden. They love tomatos as much as myself.