To (?) What in a hen Basket?

     As you know I  waited all day for the compost bin to arrive, I even waited to post yesterday, because I wanted pictures of it.
    Of course, after I  post a short blog, the bin arrived at  my doorstep... go figure!
  
SO!
         
             Without further aduex (is that how you spell it?) 

   Well, introducing my added work horse to keep my yard in check....

    Compost Bin From City of Mesa....

Compost bin/ Modified street garbage can

convenient lid  for covering and cooking

bottomless pit ( I mean, bin,  bottomless bin, for air circulation, Yea! That's it! see!)

   Not complaining in any aspect of the word, I think, the city had to think of something for these cans to keep them for hitting the landfill... Good Idea! Yes?

   Now lets see if they are to work as intended...Hmmm, inquiring minds want to know!




 *LOOK WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT!!!*


      When I say to **** in a hen basket, it really did go to **** yesterday...

   It was so Hot, (HOW HOT WAS IT?) It was so hot that some of my plants are turning into jerky..., 

   It isn't that they aren't getting enough water, or was really, to windy,  just look at the damage the heat has done to some of my flowers.

one day of heat...

Jus' can't hang! Get it!... It is in a hanging basket! 

jus' kiddin'

Honorary Jerkied plants, of any plant, I thought that this one would be able to hang out!

 

   One good day of rain, and Mother Nature decides to get payment!! LOL!




LETTUCE EXPERIMENT UPDATE


   So about two or three days ago I did a post on My beautiful lettuce experiment, I thought all was going well,

   Think again Partner...,

Some one brought lunch

   Oh!! Wait!.... Lunch was already there for them...

"Before" Mesclun Mix

"After" Mesclun Mix

 

 

"Before" Grand Rapids

"After " Grand Rapids

   Now, What In the World is doing this???   And In..  A Day?     Are they Crazy?  Am I? Well, Yea, it was proven....

ha!ha!ha!          But that is another story altogether...

   I haven't a clue what to do about this!  HELP! Any thoughts? Maybe it's too late, huh?



   I start back to a regular work routine on Friday, and my eyes won't be on this garden like it should be.. I just hope that it will be fine, after seeing this go on... Isshhhh!!!!



PUMPKIN and BIRDHOUSE GOURDS OH! MY!

   The two veggies that are being awesome and troopers through all this heat... are?.... And THE PRIZE goes to

these,

Pumpkin

This is starting to get size, look it's expanding and it is very happy!  Right on track...

One of birdhouse Gourds

   The bird house gourds are very happy too! It has reached the first row of the bamboo screen... it's right on course. 

   Hooray for them!.


   Through thick and thin they troop on.... their leaves are expanding on!!!
Can you hear me cheering,...

    Okay I'm not very good at it, but you can't quell my excitement......!

   So, Now, I have work to do, What you ask?  Placing the work horse in it's, ummm... stall, ya! Where it should be! lol!

   Well, I have been waiting all day to get my compost bin and it's still is not here.... 

   Why is it "they" tell you a certain time and it is expected that we are to wait on them. If we are to dictate a time to "them",  it is unreasonable...

   Oh Well! I hope to give you the compost bin update tomorrow..

Hot Mess of compost!

  **Heat Advisory**

Excess heat warning is in effect until Thursday night!
112 degrees. It's drink a lot of water time!



Jasmine..

   For years, this plant just stayed in the pot that it is in now! I have had this plant for about 6 years, it wouldn't flower, it wouldn't have new growth, nothing, nada, zilch..

   But this past summer, It has nothing but blooms on top of blooms. It's beautiful.. It sits next to my jalapeno pepper plant.

   They must have a "thing" together!

   I think that with the bee population and  the extra time I have been spending in the yard makes a big difference,  It likes the company... (tell you a secret, so do I)...




   Front Yard Planning!

   I went to my local hardware store today, and I was looking at things that would be part of my front yard gardening, I came across these big pots that were very big and glossy and light weight, to use, for like 20.00 buck a piece. I think that I will get those. They happen to be on sale so I think It is a must get anyway.

   I have three places out front to use them in...

  The first place I want to use them is here..

   Right here, underneath the window ledge and to the side of it..

The second spot is here...
 

   In this spot, next to that bush or unless, I yank that bush out first..    It really is a nuisance more so than a pretty, bush.. It is an Oleander, It doesn't even really flower nicely, it's a bit shabby actually.. so that might be  the spot to put the container then...

    My worst battles will be the heat in the summer for it is the hottest area and the wind, we get the winds usually in April and October,  it really dries things out! I don't have much of a wind break out front... So I really need to do my research on what will work best to put in those pots...

 There are a couple of other things I want to add to the yard, but I am waiting to let the yard present what it would like me to put in it!

 Yes! I know maybe it sounds silly, but if I listen to it, I'm not fighting with it.. well like I used to, anyway...

Off to hurry up and wait for that compost bin.... (How irritating!!!! Yes, I have the ugly face on right now!!!)

  *** patience, patience, patience.... just keep repeating that to myself and all will be fine!***

It rained last night!! Really!

Before the dusty Rainbow!!

   Rain, Rain, Rain,    Rain all the night through... (Well not really But...)
 
     Last night, it finally rained... Yea!! wahoooo!

    You see, my house is located, centered, pointed, however you want to think it, right smack dab in the middle of a lull. No matter where the rain, storm, any type of weather of substantial need is coming from, we are not considered by mother nature to be deserving. Last night was "like" the third time, we were considered to get  a good rain..
    
     Thank You Mother Nature...  My garden loved it. All the plants were washed off, the ground is soaked in with great nutrients...
   
     Another Haboob was reported, but I didn't see it.. This could be the before picture of it... a dusty rainbow, before the rain..

Just before the rains....

     It is a great day..   Humid as all get out!! (today)


Compost Bins
  

   This morning I called my utility company, and joined the backyard composting program... Tomorrow I will be receiving my bin. It is an old recycled trash barrel, that was modified into a compost bin..

   Now it is on loan, and I do have to give it back, if or, when I move. So finding out about those composting bins are still a need of mine..

    But that "Hot Mess Of  Mine" will be cleaned up completely.... Hooray!!!


   Look who is visiting, the pair of Abert Towhee were making themselves at home hopping about checking in through out my areas for things to eat, bugs seed and well, what have ya!  This one was hopping about on my compost pile..

Abert Towhee!

They routinely come and visit, They are so cute. You should see how they hop a dance, then eat whatever they find..   I hope they keep coming. I love seeing them..


 Veggie contemplation almost complete!

    The tomatoes were pulled and I'm now amending the soil, and the area is being cleaned up...

Missing tomatoes!!!

    I think that I will plant cabbage, and in October,  it is said that, I can plant tomatoes again, (?) So I guess I will see if the the local stores will have them for sale.. Spinach and carrots, broccoli and leeks maybe, will be an added to the garden.. How fun! I've never tried growing them, so I will see!!!


Introducing My New Guests!!!
   

Thought that I would share my new guests!!!

 Meet my new Gnomes, they decided to stay, and liked being by the bird bath..  I don't know their names yet! But I'm sure they will tell me, sooner than later... (haha)

Pepper Plants

Jalapeno Flower!!

Jalapenos!!!!

  I have a Jalapeno Pepper Plant, it is still producing, not as much as it was, but I am still getting more..
Tons of flowers are on my plant and well, I'll be making some Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos soon, mmm!! Can't wait!!!

Update:  My Thai Chili, and Unhappy Habanero,Well,  they did NOT survive.. I will be putting them in the big compost pile... regards to my chili's....  (sigh!!!)



Compost Bins Pictures Tomorrow!!!  Can't wait....



 

     

A Return Guest!! Welcome back!!

When I started blogging, I wrote about  Praying Mantis vs Hummingbirds...  Here is a recap!


One year, we were over run with a certain type of insect.

Guess!       No, that's not it!!

The one and the only...

Praying Mantis-

She's on my Bell pepper plant!  

    She was extremely camera shy It took ten shots to get her in this one!

    I have never realized how cool they really were until not having them around for quite sometime.

How alien looking they are?
    I didn't know that tan ones existed. Actually, until I read up on them, from the the link what's that bug, I didn't know there were so many different kinds..

   I had a swarm (is that accurate, or is pod or what? hmm!)  They certainly made it fun going out to the garden and seeing what else can be found.

As I was surfing the net I came across a mantis that actually caught and ate a hummingbird!

                No,    (really? ewwww!)

Hello!?!

     I love hummingbirds more than the praying mantis.. But that being said, What amazing power this insect has, to do that!  

    So count yourself lucky to have them in your garden maintaining control and keeping balance good or bad!

 Tomatoes


   Well my tomatoes are becoming compost fodder as I type.. there was only two little tomatoes left.   That's when I found the praying mantis...  

    I'm not sure what to put in it's place, yet, but, I want to get something in it's place soon...


     think, think, think....

Espalier


Does anyine have experience with this?  I am intrigued about this process and want to learn about it?

  I think I would like to try it, but I'm not sure what would be the better tree. I would like to know what web source would be recommended to learn from also, if anyone should know, Please share!

  


 JuJuBee Tree


    My husband came home with a little fruit called a Jujubee.  It is a Chinese date... It is a taste of a really dry apple..  It looks really neat to grow.  I want to see about getting one for my back yard,   I just don't know a lot about it! So I have much research to do! 

    On top of my plans for the front yard garden.....


 Please let me know if you have thoughts and suggestions or even comments on these, I would love, love, love to hear them.....


    This lead me to think and ponder the ideas of more exotic trees too, like mangoes and dragon fruit and a couple others... to add to the list of garden maybes...


Pumpkins and Gourds and Green Bean updates....

The pumpkin is reaching now!

Gourds reach for the sky!

Some green beans growing through the lattice...

 The green beans aren't doing great, but they are still growing so hopefully they will be successful enough!


    On to revamping some of the garden areas...

My Hot Mess of Compost!

    I have a composting area, just like most that garden... My composting area is a big hot mess...  I really don't have a way to tame it unless, I run out and buy a big fancy composting bin. I don't have the space  to make a three bin either... so I decided to "bite the bullet" so to speak.. Yes, I started to look on-line and in catalogs, anything to get an idea of what I am looking for.

My husband mentioned that I should  ask my like minded blogger friends what they know...

      SO .....

 *I'm  asking? What would be the best composting system in a small space with the most return of organic material in a small space?
*What works well in small and large spaces?
*What lasts the longest?
*What is the easiest to operate? 
*I guess you can say What is the best bang for the bucks?


Here is my HOT MESS!

   I know, I know!!! It's a crazy mess!

BUT!
  
   I did however find on-line, a program that my city has,  they actually bring out compost bins to use, I found it by chance.

   It is a program sponsored by the city of Mesa, for a refundable 5.00 deposit, they bring you a compost bin.

How cool is that?

   I just haven't a clue of what it really looks like, but they have an on-line "how to" that  I can follow..  
I will be calling on Monday to get listed in the program. I am actually really excited!



Peaches!!!

   I need to do something with these peaches, I think that I will be freezing them...
I am really not sure but I think it is peach season now! I went to the grocery store and bought a bunch.. This was Tuesday, but they are starting to ripen fast!
  

Freezing Peaches  (be kind I've never done this)... 




Cut an X on the bottom of Peach... Then...

Step 1. Boil water

Step 2. Plunge peaches in water for 40sec.

Step 3. Pull from water plunge in ice water  

Step 4. Peel and put in water (lemon juice)

Step 5. Slice and Freeze

I didn't really know what else to do, other than cook or bake, I haven't the time today!


He's BACK!!!

   This morning I was busing myself with things inside,  I peered outside and saw a big black bird messing around with something. I had to throw my kitchen scraps out, well, I took a look, but didn't see anything out of the ordinary. I went about my business, again I noticed the bird out there again, this time on my eggplant.

   When he saw me, he took off.
 
   Guess What the bird left?

          Look who is back!!! (eewww!!)

A skewered remnants of a Caterpillar!!!

   I think he has been there for a short time, I had seen a little damage from him eating on my eggplant, but just for a short time.

 All is well with my eggplant.

A Quiet Friday Until...

All is quiet at 7:00 a.m.  (94 degrees out)
 

   I decided to give myself, Friday morning off, you know sit in my yard read a little, "tinker" as my husband calls it.. yada, yada, yada!
  I know it is humid, the air is heavy, 94 degrees at 7:00 a.m. There is a little cloud cover.

  For AZ, that my friends, is the best it will be as Monsoon season comes upon the last month.

  I am taking notes of the things that I need to take care of throughout the yard. I am cleaning up some parts of the garden that needs it.

   As I'm looking though the tomatoes, Look Who I found?

   I knew he was lurking around. I found remnants of him all around, but I couldn't see him at all.. Then "lucky me", I pushed back some of the branches to pull up old debris, and there he was.


What a little booger! I got you sir, I got you!


 Lettuce Update!!!
    My lettuce experiment is going well. I love how soft and yummy it looks..

Grand Rapids

mescalin mix

How they look together

  

   But I really want to show this flower, I'm not sure what type of lettuce flower it is But the color is so vivid and pretty!

   I have an on going battle with my Beautiful, spiteful Bougainvillea. Where it is planted, it hides the A/C.. I have to keep it trimmed constantly, or it will take over, At every trimming time, It certainly takes a poke at me. I think that it heard me yell at it, threatening to yank it out by the very last root it sprouted. Maybe, I shouldn't have done that!  I donate blood at least 6 times a year... But here she is..

  

   There are gaps from the freeze this winter,  In January we had a real bad freeze that wiped out a lot of things in the yard, I thought for sure that the eggplant was affect, but, Boy!  I was surprised, when it decided to come on.

    This one shows beautiful muted salmon color flowers or Bracts as it is called, I think! It will show some flowers when it isn't so hot and humid..
   

    The hummingbirds love to sit in the branches, there is usually a spider web that in between it and Momma Aloe, and the Humming bird grabs at it for it's nest and the insects caught up in it to eat. It is really fascinating to watch..

My opal purple basil is growing very well, I hope to be able to use it as a border in the garden areas...

   How pretty will that be with marigolds mixed in!!

   The visual  scene will be incredible...

   I think If I play my cards right, I think that I will be able to get some to transplant out in the front yard container garden!



   I will be starting to plan my front yard with pictures and things for this weekend... Hooray, how much fun will this be for meeee!!! 


    On to my planning!!!

Resorting To What One Owns!

  I have so much basil, not only is it bolting, it is coming out my ears,
Well, not really... but  a fellow blogger was putting some basil up and made it look beautifully easy.. and "that" I thank you, to The Ebullient Gardener..

    It starts by, me getting all giddy I just can't wait to start washing and chopping, Then I go to grab my ICE TRAYS!!!  Gosh darn it, I can't find them anywhere.. So, silly me, I thought I would just go to the store to buy some, easy task right??

   Oh! NO! Why would that be simple?

   I look in the first store, "none", that's okay right?  So go to the second store, I search the place... "none, nada," Okay, feeling a little agitated, nothing too major.. I move on.
   Last, store, knowing they have everything.... I have no doubt that ice trays would be at this particular store....Again I go in with great enthusiasm, ready to grab, pay and go.  I walk down the isle that has everything that you could imagine for the kitchen, I have no doubt, total hope...
   As I pass each item, hope diminishes, until I reach the end of the row, the inevitable introduces itself,  none, nada, zero!!!

    Are you kidding me? What are the chances that three stores in a row have  "NO ICE TRAYS!!!"

    I'm standing there, I glance over to a shelf, while my mother is talking and looking for the trays with me, for that chance shot that we missed them in some way. I zone out, Light bulb!!! I have an idea.... wait!, "I do?" Yes!!, I do!!!
    I get this insanely great idea, One that I'm sure someone out there is thinking to themselves, "They knew that!" Right? (Shrugging that off), I see tin foil throw away muffin tins..

    Of course, What a great idea...
 
    OMG! Why did, I, waist all this time looking for these stupid ICE TRAYS???? When, all I had to do was look in my cupboard, and say that should work...! Hmm?...

   Sometimes, my little dealings like this particular one, well, it keeps me on my toes, laughing at myself! (well Quietly anyway!). Holy Cow!!

Hence, search before you search!!!

    So I as you know it I start, my "little" project...

 Step 1.  Collect basil, wash and chop...
 Step 2.  Line tine with plastic wrap...
 Step 3.  Pack compartments of tins with chopped basil...
 Step 4.  Fill filled compartments with water...
 Step 5.  Freeze tins

Finished for the moment and doing the "hurry up and wait!!"



In the case of birds vs Me and Green Beans...

   So for the solution for placing a bird bath by the green beans seems to be working and, I have been putting the feed a small distance away for where the green beans grow... I am getting all new green bean sprouts, so I am relieved that I may get a great harvest!...

  

   My potted plant menagerie,  Well, really did not go so well... The only three plants that survived as of to date... Is Beautiful Portulaca, and yellow lantana, and the fabulous Shazam... Still beautiful...

   New projects are stewing in my brain, My husband will be thinking OH! NO! But little does he know he stuck them in my head?

Thank you dear!

   I will be plotting new locations in my front yard, The world of Container Gardening, Yes, adding a whole new dimension to the look of my house and yard.. I do have concern of what HOA might say.. But this is container gardening and I can move them if it is a problem!
  

      So, I will be talking (blogging about it soon)....

Momma Aloe Vera!!!!

   I was taking moment and really looking at my yard, I glanced over here, and walked over there, you know taking it in...
 

   I realized, years ago a dear friend of my mother, (and of mine), gave me this small pot, with it, an Aloe Vera plant was just peering over the rim. Now this pot was either a 6 inch or 8 inch, mind you this was 10 years ago.

  
  I never really gave it much mind, I left it in the corner that it is in now. It has never been anywhere else, except two feet to right of it's place at present.
 
   It loves this spot, It loves this spot so much that I have plantlings constantly... I have fear that Momma Vera, will soon break her pot, and I won't be able to put her back together again, but...

Offspring Of Momma Vera!

   This particular offspring has been through **** and back, It was a gift for my daughter to put in her room, Of course, it didn't look like this.. it grew gangly, and weak, to the point of, being abandon outside in the worst of conditions.
 
   So in June, I decided to take it and clean it up, recondition the medium, a snip here and a snip there, and Whalaa! Here it is, plus another offshoot to boot..   THIS OFFSPRING CAME FROM....


TADAAA!

ALOE VERA, (aka Momma Vera)

   This plant has survived everything, from micro-burst weather, to massive downpours, to even sweltering 120 degree weather.

   Would I recommend this plant?

   What a question to ask! Is the earth round?, Is the sky blue?, Am I crazier than... well?

YES!!! 

   Of Course I would recommend this plant... This is I would say a "must" plant to have in any garden, not only medicinal, but structurally beautiful, It can withstand anything pretty much dished to it...... Think about!! Try it! You might like it!




Chili Pepper Update...

   The beginning of the week, it was reported that there was a near disaster, (well drowning)... UnHappy Habanero, is of late not recovering well, It is still in critical condition... So, my thoughts, are with it and hope for a more speedy recovery, or
  
   Just stop playing around  Habanero and get with it!!!! (okay, tangent...)(or is a tantrum)...
 
   Thai Chili, I must say is expiring as I type, (may you reach the Chili Peppers, in the great heaping compost)..

But I'll leave it in the ground just in case, much worse has happen, and resiliency became the victor before.... just maybe it will happen again...

Un-Happy Habanero

Thai Chili

Soon to be Happen-in!!!!
  

   Pretty soon, the tomato plants will be compost fodder,  and I will have new space to plant something new, but what?

   What would be a suitable replacement?  AZ is a two season experience.... Broccoli, more beans, peas, (eeww!, but pretty)?  Hmmm! contemplation is in play now....  Think! Think! Think!...