Twiggybet1's Blog

Before we left to go visiting for the holiday weekend, we managed to get the sweet corn planted.  I think we squeezed in 6 rows.  I am SO excited!  I absolutely love corn-on-the-cob, and we have never tried to grow it before.  I decided to wait until we returned to plant the squash, since it's going in containers.

We had a very nice visit.  We stayed with my sister and her family.  They had lost their house in January (due to foreclosure) and had been staying with friends until a couple of weeks ago when they found a decent house to rent.  It's on about an acre, and there are several raised beds for planting.  Not as large as the property they lost (10 acres) but it will do until they can buy another place.  The property is for sale, so if someone buys it, they will have about 30 days to find somewhere else, and because of the temporary nature of the living arrangements, she wasn't sure she wanted to plant anything.  So, I told her I would go through my seeds when I got home, and find some stuff that grows pretty fast.  I have a small box with an assortment of veggie and flower seeds ready to mail to her tomorrow.  I think she plans to plant the fast growing stuff in the raised beds, and use containers for stuff she would want to bring with her if they have to move before the growing season ends.

We came home yesterday afternoon (Tuesday).  I had to make it home before dark so I could check on my garden.  We've got radishes ready!  LOTS of radishes.  Amazing how much happens in a couple day's absence!  No, my corn didn't sprout yet, but everything that was sprouted made some progress.  Of course the weeds made the most progress.  So I spent a bit of time today clearing the weeds out of the areas that don't have mulch.  First thing I did in the morning was to water the garden.  Our sprinkler (which we bought last year , but looks as if it's much older) wasn't working properly.  Hubby bought a new one on his way home from work today and tried it out.  Works great, and he bought a better quality one, so HOPEFULLY this one will last more than one year!

I got some containers planted today.  There is one for hubbard squash, Texas Sweet Potato (this is a new one for us, we will see how it does), one for watermelon, one for cantaloupe, and one with bushel gourd.  I need to get a couple more ready so I can plant some pumpkins and cucumbers.  I planted a couple of things in the garden, but I'm not sure which they are, so I want to be sure to have some of everything I want.  These containers are going next to the fence, with some trellising for support.  I have no idea how well this is going to work out, it's our big experiment this year. 

The maple trees and elms are shedding their seeds right now.  When we were kids, we called the maple seeds "helicopters." They were fun then, but now they just make a mess for me to clean up!  I swept up the big piles from the drive way and patio.  It's not pristine, but hey, I wasn't going for perfection, the trees aren't done yet. 

I also spent some time on Creeping Charlie (and friends) patrol elsewhere in the yard.  I hate that stuff.  It grows everywhere, and is practically indestructible.  Funny story about ole creeping charlie.  Right now, the stuff is in bloom.  I noticed it growing at my sister's newly rented place.  When she had everyone over on Monday, my mother spied the tiny purple flowers and proclaimed "oh, how pretty, I'm going to pick some to dry!"  Mom does stained glass, and one of her projects is jewelry boxes with a section of dried flowers between panes of glass on the lids.  I told her to come on down to my place and pick as much as she wants, even dig some up, and she will have a never-ending supply!  She doesn't have it growing in her own flower beds, and didn't know what it was, apparently.  I don't know how she ever escaped an acquaintance with ole creeping charlie, she loves flowers and has always had beautiful plantings in her yard. 

Tomorrow I plan to plant some flower seedlings I started, moonflowers and bright-eye daisies.  I'm still debating where I will put them.  One of the beds out front, rain garden, or back corner?  Hmm, I guess I will sleep on it...