tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38057184501657285912024-03-19T07:03:49.738-04:00a lizard in the gardenalizardinthegardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667898926523249543noreply@blogger.comBlogger132125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805718450165728591.post-17570725997351146722012-06-10T21:46:00.001-04:002012-06-10T21:46:50.283-04:00The Garden of Your Mind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I know that this is a stretch, but it is still pretty cool...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/OFzXaFbxDcM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />alizardinthegardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667898926523249543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805718450165728591.post-79324815408813239702012-06-08T19:39:00.000-04:002012-06-08T19:39:39.411-04:00Links of Interest #3<br />
<b>Crafts/Projects/Ideas</b><br />
<a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2011/06/diy-project-recycled-barrel-planter.html">Recycled Barrel Planter</a><br />
<a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/10-modern-planters-for-narrow-balconies-shoppers-guide-146575">10 Modern Planters for Narrow Balconies</a><br />
<a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2011/06/diy-project-farmers-market-bags.html">DIY Produce/Farmer's Market Bags</a> - I love these!<br />
<a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/eat-your-veggies-planting-a-healthier-future-for-your-kids-171717" target="_blank">Gardening with Kids</a><br />
<br />
<b>Gardening Tips</b><br />
<a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/7-kitchen-waste-items-to-use-i-118656" target="_blank">7 Kitchen Waste Items to Use in the Garden</a><br />
<br />
<b>Articles</b><br />
<a href="http://gazettenet.com/2012/05/24/state-moving-to-ban-food-from-trash" target="_blank">Massachusetts looks to require residents to compost</a> - Cambridge is making strides in this direction, as residents can drop off compost at the recycling center!<br />
<a href="http://www.urbangardensweb.com/2011/06/22/urban-farm-in-a-shop/">A Farm in a Shop</a><br />
<a href="http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/14/the-true-cost-of-tomatoes/?src=me&ref=general">The True Cost of Tomatoes</a> by Mark Bittman<br />
<a href="http://www.mint.com/blog/trends/urban-chickens-frugal-fad-or-pricey-pastime-082011/">Urban Chickens: Frugal Fad or Pricey Pastime?</a> - I still think it would be worth it!<br />
<a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/tips-for-getting-the-most-out-147351" target="_blank">Getting the Most Out of Your CSA/Book Review <i>The City Cook</i></a><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<h1 style="line-height: 32px; margin: 0px 0px 7px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>How-To</b></span></h1>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jaR_ZK9sVc&feature=channel_video_title">Terrarium Tutorial from ModCloth</a><br />
<br />
<b>To-Do</b><br />
<a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/food-on-film/watch-it-now-10-food-movies-tv-shows-on-netflix-instant-148777">10 "Watch Now" Food/Garden Movies on Netflix</a> - I have seen and recommend Kings of Pastry and The Garden<br />
<br />
<b>Food & Drink</b><br />
<a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/-quick-tip-for-an-aromatic-garnish-spank-your-herbs-straight-up-cocktails-and-spirits-148756">Spank Your Herbs</a> - to make cocktails garnishes perform double-duty in appearance and taste.<br />
<br />
<b>To Buy</b><br />
<a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/culinary-herb-wheel-by-chew-on-this-daily-find-148990">Culinary Herb Wheel</a> - a go-to guide about using herbs<br />
<br />
<b>Blogs of Interest</b><br />
<a href="http://www.foodinjars.com/" target="_blank">Food in Jars</a> - recipes, book (includes small batch canning info)alizardinthegardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667898926523249543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805718450165728591.post-52477407225978388822012-06-04T22:49:00.000-04:002012-06-04T22:49:28.033-04:00Before the RainRain, rain, and more rain. This past weekend, the weather turned cold and damp...not a great start to June.<br />
<br />
Friday night, before the rain started I went out to do some weeding and harvested what I could. I picked 8 strawberries, 1 pea, and 1 head of lettuce. I also picked some thyme and rosemary (to make <a href="http://alizardinthegarden.blogspot.com/2011/06/rosemary-thyme-flatbread.html" target="_blank">flatbread</a> - a great rainy day snack).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VhEH5nJAxI0/T8l69MeU2cI/AAAAAAAACgI/FnDOC-kQ0K8/s1600/P1060796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VhEH5nJAxI0/T8l69MeU2cI/AAAAAAAACgI/FnDOC-kQ0K8/s320/P1060796.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I just can't get enough of these cute, perfect strawberries!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rp0p3m2lnCg/T8l7ADRE7VI/AAAAAAAACgQ/92d3_-Rpp-k/s1600/P1060802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rp0p3m2lnCg/T8l7ADRE7VI/AAAAAAAACgQ/92d3_-Rpp-k/s320/P1060802.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and look...my first tomato (on my <i>sunsugar</i> plant).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kI-n9eOrp2g/T8l7Ccl1YHI/AAAAAAAACgY/s1J57ZDltxw/s1600/P1060804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kI-n9eOrp2g/T8l7Ccl1YHI/AAAAAAAACgY/s1J57ZDltxw/s320/P1060804.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />alizardinthegardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667898926523249543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805718450165728591.post-21490957868512880722012-05-31T00:32:00.000-04:002012-05-31T00:32:43.507-04:00Patience<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6F1VRic1NEw/T8V0FfwtX8I/AAAAAAAACfs/yaXhKwVHMdc/s1600/P1060765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6F1VRic1NEw/T8V0FfwtX8I/AAAAAAAACfs/yaXhKwVHMdc/s320/P1060765.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Every gardener comes to learn patience. They may not necessarily accept it, but they learn it. In gardening, it helps when patience is rewarded! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I went to Maine for the long weekend, and had crossed my fingers that the lupine would be out. It is just so....neat, cool, beautiful, unique. The season (if there is such a thing) was not quite at its peak, but there was a lot along the roadside and throughout the Maine countryside. I couldn't get enough of it. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jtm2EeyVZOY/T8V0QWoDCTI/AAAAAAAACf0/Ek7IRdPG1Xo/s1600/P1060782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jtm2EeyVZOY/T8V0QWoDCTI/AAAAAAAACf0/Ek7IRdPG1Xo/s320/P1060782.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Upon my return, the </span><i style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Junebearing</i><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> strawberries that were just starting to ripen before I left were now bright red. I had seven ripe, delicious strawberries...and look forward to more (with patience of course!) </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JYqYPcSUimg/T8V0Svx--5I/AAAAAAAACf8/qtS-vl9c8Q4/s1600/P1060795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JYqYPcSUimg/T8V0Svx--5I/AAAAAAAACf8/qtS-vl9c8Q4/s320/P1060795.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>5.29.12 harvest</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>alizardinthegardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667898926523249543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805718450165728591.post-52002184027374769712012-05-24T14:30:00.003-04:002012-05-24T14:30:44.003-04:00Volunteers to the RescueAfter last summers incredible tomatillo experience, I had been waiting to see if any volunteer tomatillo plants would appear, since I had heard that they are pretty tolerant and vigorous. After some seedling identification research, I confirmed that I did in fact have a few tomatillo plants - along with some mystery tomato plants. The tomato plants are really a mystery since I did not even have tomatoes in that bed last year. However, the timing was perfect as these hearty little volunteer plants turned into...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SNTDy4LG6Sg/T7sXPO0zd3I/AAAAAAAACeY/cw2tR3frGOE/s1600/P1060641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SNTDy4LG6Sg/T7sXPO0zd3I/AAAAAAAACeY/cw2tR3frGOE/s320/P1060641.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
seedlings for a plant swap!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PJ_WyHfhV0g/T7sXRnZEfFI/AAAAAAAACeg/QUqtsflOLQM/s1600/P1060644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PJ_WyHfhV0g/T7sXRnZEfFI/AAAAAAAACeg/QUqtsflOLQM/s320/P1060644.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I saw a flier for a plant swap in my neighborhood after an evening walk on Saturday night that was taking place on Sunday afternoon. I was very excited to meet some fellow gardeners, share my extra plants, and potentially even take something home for my garden! I walked down to the event, and stayed for about an hour. During that time there was quite a bit of traffic between people dropping plants off/picking up plants and passers-by, interested in seeing what was going on. The organizers had made designated areas for house plants, vegetables, annuals and perennials. Perennials were definitely the most abundant, and ranged from Hostas to Bleeding Hearts to raspberry bushes. </div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IOGoUbzzA0U/T7sXUb-CTVI/AAAAAAAACeo/KLS68HwIyos/s1600/P1060646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IOGoUbzzA0U/T7sXUb-CTVI/AAAAAAAACeo/KLS68HwIyos/s200/P1060646.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House & Veggie/Herb plants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FAdH0gvWEAg/T7sXWjrzaEI/AAAAAAAACew/QVSbsMwI1JY/s1600/P1060654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FAdH0gvWEAg/T7sXWjrzaEI/AAAAAAAACew/QVSbsMwI1JY/s200/P1060654.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perennials</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I ended up taking home an eggplant (<i>little finger</i>) seedling, spinach, and a bunch of Shasta Daisies. Even though I don't have the space to plant the daisies in the ground as a true perennial, I am going to see how they fair this summer in a large container. Even if I can get a few cuttings from them I will be happy!<br />
<br />
I think that the plant swap was a great success. It was great to meet some neighbors, learn a few things and get some new plants. I heard that there are already plans for another one in the future. <br />
<br />
Readers, have you ever attended or participated in a plant swap? What fabulous plants have you walked away with?alizardinthegardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667898926523249543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805718450165728591.post-64297544134566673812012-05-22T23:25:00.001-04:002012-05-22T23:25:52.730-04:00Ready, Set, Grow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FS11LxOTN2s/T7sV76mFM8I/AAAAAAAACeA/ZHGwmHKom7Q/s1600/P1060640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FS11LxOTN2s/T7sV76mFM8I/AAAAAAAACeA/ZHGwmHKom7Q/s400/P1060640.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I got up early on Sunday morning to head to Russell's Garden Center so that I could buy everything needed to get my garden going for the season. I wanted to beat the traffic and the crowds, since it was going to be another beautiful day in Boston. I also knew that I had a long day ahead of me since I had not quite yet finished prepping the beds. In addition to my "standard" list of veggies (with a few new varieties thrown in), my goal was to vary my raised beds this year with some flowers. I am very fortunate to have extra space this year, as my friend is not able to garden in her 6' x 3' bed. I was incredibly overwhelmed by the vast amount of flower varieties, but ultimately ended up going with a few favorites that will hopefully make nice arrangements throughout the summer. Here is what I ended up with...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<u>Veggies/Herbs</u><br />
Cucumber - Burpee Gold Standard Hybrid<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzcdvIOVh_jG3gwjYpNh2TOVsGkxgx5o_-txS4_14-VRXcNIudi2xyMwVqYUjAsjYd8W3DOR_iQ-kK6yWwGxI_Z0jC3ZLhNH0WzhAKC9ea9dV5R2F7XWqOu5ORcl-m2CncWSzx4zT9O0/s1600/P1060657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzcdvIOVh_jG3gwjYpNh2TOVsGkxgx5o_-txS4_14-VRXcNIudi2xyMwVqYUjAsjYd8W3DOR_iQ-kK6yWwGxI_Z0jC3ZLhNH0WzhAKC9ea9dV5R2F7XWqOu5ORcl-m2CncWSzx4zT9O0/s200/P1060657.JPG" width="150" /></a>Tomato - Sugary (grape), Sunsugar<br />
Eggplant - Black Beauty<br />
Pepper - Valencia<br />
Sweet Basil<br />
Rosemary<br />
<br />
<u>Flowers</u><br />
Argyranthemum - white & pink<br />
Dahlla<br />
Coneflower<br />
Snapdragon<br />
Cosmos<br />
Zinnia<br />
<br />
After a lot more work prepping the beds and refreshing the "square foot" lines with new string, I planted got everything planted. In addition, I planted the three grafted tomato varieties I had ordered from Burpee (Bradywine and two San Marzano) and sowed one row of the following:<br />
Carrot - Little Finger, Danvers<br />
Bean - Kentucky Wonder, Pole<br />
<br />
Since I am always looking for new tips and tricks, I decided to try the "Tomato and Pepper Automator Trays." I have to say that they were a little awkward to set up, but I am hoping that they give my two Grafted San Marzano plants an extra boost.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4iVj-Xu_S-M/T7xSlfm-_XI/AAAAAAAACfA/zgQggua5JcQ/s1600/P1060666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4iVj-Xu_S-M/T7xSlfm-_XI/AAAAAAAACfA/zgQggua5JcQ/s320/P1060666.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="text-align: left;">Overall, I am really excited for my garden this year and to see the transformation as everything grows. Who knows if the flowers will eventually overshadow the veggie plants, but I tried to place them as best I could based on sun pattern, and all I can do is hope for the best. With rain the past two days, hopefully everything will adjust to their new home.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3xGW-0UELA/T7sWXmm6v0I/AAAAAAAACeQ/IJ5_dOIZ878/s1600/P1060670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3xGW-0UELA/T7sWXmm6v0I/AAAAAAAACeQ/IJ5_dOIZ878/s400/P1060670.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">5.20.2012</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>alizardinthegardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667898926523249543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805718450165728591.post-67967452038685620272012-05-21T23:47:00.004-04:002012-05-21T23:47:54.734-04:00Harvest Monday 5.21.12<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KuPc8zRIhHo/T7sJVW_Nu7I/AAAAAAAACd0/7O0GpptmGVg/s1600/P1060656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KuPc8zRIhHo/T7sJVW_Nu7I/AAAAAAAACd0/7O0GpptmGVg/s400/P1060656.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
It was a beautiful and busy weekend in the garden, but more on that later. I harvested two heads of Boston lettuce yesterday, which made for a great dinner. My <i>Junebearing</i> strawberries are still red, but I guess that makes sense since it is not quite June. I can only hope that mine looks as good as <a href="http://daphnesdandelions.blogspot.com/2012/05/harvest-monday-may-21-2012.html" target="_blank">these</a>.</div>alizardinthegardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667898926523249543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805718450165728591.post-23168712346386681602012-05-17T00:54:00.000-04:002012-05-17T00:54:15.554-04:00First Harvest of 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1vmU8qk2SV8/T7R3MvscHkI/AAAAAAAACcw/q8KKlerCjDI/s1600/P1060619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1vmU8qk2SV8/T7R3MvscHkI/AAAAAAAACcw/q8KKlerCjDI/s320/P1060619.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Spring temps are finally stabilizing around Boston, and even though we have had a lot of rain I can't help get excited for the warm temperatures ahead and another year of backyard gardening. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ox660YVABm4/T7R3Qq-b47I/AAAAAAAACdA/85FoDYuYCkw/s1600/P1060627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ox660YVABm4/T7R3Qq-b47I/AAAAAAAACdA/85FoDYuYCkw/s200/P1060627.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Like <a href="http://www.alizardinthegarden.blogspot.com/2011/05/commencement.html" target="_blank">last year</a>, I plan to head to Russell's after volunteering at the graduation for the college where I work this weekend to pick up veggie plants and flowers. However, I still have to finalize my garden plan and figure out what to buy this year. I already ordered and received three grafted, heirloom tomato plants from Burpee. The two San Marzano that I had last year produced incredibly well, so I went with them again. My third plant is a different variety than last year, a Red Brandywine.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I have made the decision not to grow tomatillos again, even though I loved the salsa they produced. The two plants I had last year just took over and were hard to keep up with. I was able to can a lot of the salsa and enjoyed it throughout the winter. However, I have been told that tomatillo seeds are pretty hearty and can over-winter, so I am watching to see if any pop up in the beds. There are few sprouting plants that I have not yet confirmed their identity, so I will need to do some research to find out what they are.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
I bought a few pea seedlings at Home Depot in April on a whim because I had not yet sown my sugar snap pea seeds. However, these plants are not doing very well. They are only about a foot tall (about double the size), but at the same time, already producing flowers...and peas! This was Wednesday night's harvest...three peas...and cilantro (I love an 'excuse' to make salsa.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xst5FXXmNLI/T7R2v7HBL1I/AAAAAAAACcY/OBu0A9mG3rE/s1600/P1060638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xst5FXXmNLI/T7R2v7HBL1I/AAAAAAAACcY/OBu0A9mG3rE/s200/P1060638.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VuHcaJ6eUCE/T7R3VCaWoiI/AAAAAAAACdQ/TeibRW6_mPU/s1600/P1060635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VuHcaJ6eUCE/T7R3VCaWoiI/AAAAAAAACdQ/TeibRW6_mPU/s200/P1060635.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eaJwYnNV_1Q/T7R3KL-o3zI/AAAAAAAACco/I0OAsVqqCl0/s1600/P1060617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eaJwYnNV_1Q/T7R3KL-o3zI/AAAAAAAACco/I0OAsVqqCl0/s200/P1060617.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
My thyme plant over wintered very well, and much better than my rosemary, which I have declared dead.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hu41CSNG_3E/T7R3OkDS_DI/AAAAAAAACc4/IJcxXgvfqq4/s1600/P1060620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hu41CSNG_3E/T7R3OkDS_DI/AAAAAAAACc4/IJcxXgvfqq4/s200/P1060620.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
Next up...strawberries! My plants multiplied quite a bit and I am excited for even more strawberries this year.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q65rpJKGhS0/T7R3IGMFI8I/AAAAAAAACcg/ym4BCqYX4_U/s1600/P1060613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q65rpJKGhS0/T7R3IGMFI8I/AAAAAAAACcg/ym4BCqYX4_U/s400/P1060613.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <i>5/16/2012</i></span></div>alizardinthegardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667898926523249543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805718450165728591.post-88037741479672844942012-03-17T11:53:00.000-04:002012-03-17T11:53:17.978-04:00Event: 37th Annual Gardeners GatheringIt is that time again...<br />
<br />
<b>BNAN's 37th Annual</b>
<b>Gardeners Gathering</b>
<br />
<strong>Saturday, March 31, 2012</strong><br />
11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.<br />
<a href="http://www.neu.edu/campusmap/">Curry Student Center, Northeastern University</a><br />
<br />
Gardening workshops for community and residential gardeners for
both beginner and experienced gardeners. Enjoy networking, door prizes,
info gallery, community garden awards, and more! All invited to join
with more than 300 community gardeners to welcome spring. Free event,
all welcome, walk-in registration. For more information email <a href="mailto:info@bostonnatural.org">info@bostonnatural.org</a> or call BNAN at 617-542-7696.<br />
<br />
The Gardeners Gathering is an annual citywide event for community gardeners
and other garden enthusiasts. Held in the spring of each year, the event is
a welcome kick-off to Boston’s upcoming gardening season. The event is
filled with informative and fun activities and workshops. Gardening and green
space organizations are present to provide current program information.
Door prizes are awarded and pre-ordered seeds (provided by BNAN) are
distributed.<br />
<br />
One of the typical highlights of the Gardeners Gathering is Mayor Thomas
Menino’s greeting and presentation of the annual Community Gardening Awards.
BNAN is grateful to Northeastern University for hosting the event each year
and to the City of Boston for its ongoing support of community gardening.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IZaYgXZnHmQ/T2SnoGhNIQI/AAAAAAAACVo/3dtlLH_yEAo/s1600/BNAN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IZaYgXZnHmQ/T2SnoGhNIQI/AAAAAAAACVo/3dtlLH_yEAo/s320/BNAN.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Find out <a href="http://www.bostonnatural.org/index.htm" target="_blank">more info</a> about BNAN!alizardinthegardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667898926523249543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805718450165728591.post-48353911331063432272011-09-12T22:31:00.000-04:002011-09-12T22:31:54.638-04:00Harvest Monday - All About Tomatoes<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xhoc6Ha0yUg/Tm67vJYOikI/AAAAAAAACDo/jXtbmghqi3I/s1600/P1050410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xhoc6Ha0yUg/Tm67vJYOikI/AAAAAAAACDo/jXtbmghqi3I/s400/P1050410.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Tomato production is coming to a sad end. The plants are very brown and skimpy. They no longer provide a barrier to the busy street traffic, as I can see right through them when I pull into my driveway. However, harvests are not finished yet! I picked 20 <i>Grafted Heirloom San Marzano</i> tomatoes tonight! They are not perfect or all completely ripe, but they will still be great for salsa or sauces. With close to 80 tomatoes between the two plants, they provided about 80% of my total tomato harvest this season. <br />
<br />
The three days of drenching rain we had last week did not help conditions either, having barely recovered from Irene.<br />
<br />
I still expect to harvest some tomatillos (if I can find/get to them) and have some great looking eggplants growing.alizardinthegardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667898926523249543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805718450165728591.post-64346231253625632392011-09-06T09:00:00.005-04:002011-09-06T09:00:00.085-04:00Event: FensFest 2011 9/10/11Fenway Victory Garden's Annual FensFest is this Saturday - September 10th from 11-3 rain or shine. Check out the great "simply stated" event postcard created by Emily Harris! For more information visit http://www.fenwayvictorygardens.com/<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gh-IlShutdQ/TmJGbwVcAUI/AAAAAAAACDc/SMf2siWi0g4/s1600/FENSFEST11.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gh-IlShutdQ/TmJGbwVcAUI/AAAAAAAACDc/SMf2siWi0g4/s400/FENSFEST11.1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vpi3Td9pLyU/TmJGcOJxybI/AAAAAAAACDg/pYewOPvGhZk/s1600/fensfest11.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vpi3Td9pLyU/TmJGcOJxybI/AAAAAAAACDg/pYewOPvGhZk/s400/fensfest11.2.jpg" width="305" /></a></div><br />
alizardinthegardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667898926523249543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805718450165728591.post-29124411915615646282011-08-30T18:00:00.000-04:002011-08-30T18:00:03.786-04:00Event: Cambridge Urban Ag-Fair 9/18/2011While in Harvard Square running errands and picking up fresh summer rolls from <a href="http://lescambridge.com/">Le's</a> (yum!) I noticed the below poster:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--e3DC0THYzw/TlxSA22BntI/AAAAAAAACC4/wmKI_VrND0s/s1600/Cambridge+Urban+Ag+Fair+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--e3DC0THYzw/TlxSA22BntI/AAAAAAAACC4/wmKI_VrND0s/s640/Cambridge+Urban+Ag+Fair+2011.jpg" width="414" /></a></div>On Sunday, September 18th the Third Annual Urban Ag-Fair returns to Harvard Square. I remember hearing about it last year, but was unable to attend. It looks like a great event, celebrating everything local. Unfortunately, this is the same day as another great event I plan on attending in NH - the <a href="http://www.jumperclassic.com/welcome/default.asp">Fidelity Jumper Classic</a>. Hopefully I can somehow attend both!<br />
<br />
The "judged competition - enter your own home-grown flowers, vegetables, fruit, eggs & pickles" also caught my eye. After all, I already grew a <a href="http://alizardinthegarden.blogspot.com/2009/09/success-at-fensfest.html">prize-winning cabbage</a>! I am not sure what I will have left growing in my garden by the 18th, but I would love to enter something. Changes are it would be an eggplant considering I really only have eggplant, tomatillos and tomatoes left. <br />
<br />
<br />
For more information check out: http://www.urbanagfair.com/alizardinthegardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667898926523249543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805718450165728591.post-1220876965467051632011-08-28T18:51:00.000-04:002011-08-28T18:51:17.775-04:00Thanks Hurricane Irene<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PqTGl2W2Ars/Tlqjpj49USI/AAAAAAAACAs/FqIRNFFelE0/s1600/DSC02065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PqTGl2W2Ars/Tlqjpj49USI/AAAAAAAACAs/FqIRNFFelE0/s400/DSC02065.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>There is nothing like a hurricane (or tropical storm for MA) to force a person to finally update a neglected blog! It has been almost three months since my last post - just plain embarrassing. Three months without a post is not too bad in the winter (which, regretably I am also guilty of) but these past three months have been prime growing/harvesting time - providing no shortage of updates and news. Travels to Colorado and Maine combined with training for a sprint triathlon and having a busier summer at work has made it difficult to write and keep up with my growing veggies. Fortunately, I was made sure to at least maintain the garden's progress though photos and harvest totals.<br />
<br />
With my garden secure as much as possible, I now wait for the storm to pass. Here is a quick summary of what the past few months have involved, hoping to make up [a little bit] for lost time. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Heirloom/Grafted tomato experiment update:</b></span><br />
The three plants I <a href="http://alizardinthegarden.blogspot.com/2011/05/three-new-experiences-mail-order-plants.html">ordered from Burpee</a> have been doing pretty well, and I would say that all three experiments (mail order, heirloom varieties, and grafted plants) have been successful and worth it. The seedings transplanted without problems a few days after receiving them in the mail. I planted the <i>Big Rainbow</i> in a container and the two <i>San Marzano</i> plants in with the other tomato plants in a SFG box. I don't have anything to compare the grafted San Marzanos to, but I feel that there production is very high (having harvested 47 tomatoes between the two plants as of today).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ApukeGVI5E/TlqlYtKTZUI/AAAAAAAACAw/8XiQ3j8BrN0/s200/DSC00958.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="150" /> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Three seedlings recovering from shipping.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-COPvyrK6Moc/TlqlbjIj9KI/AAAAAAAACA0/-Oy_ZWUXY60/s200/DSC00959.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Close up of grafted stem.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4QdAWugdPVc/TlqmZpR4I_I/AAAAAAAACBI/iegfCn6FafM/s1600/DSC00992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHOaOiioZq4/TlqmWx2T6mI/AAAAAAAACBE/JVmxLQqoPEM/s200/DSC00991.JPG" width="150" /> <img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4QdAWugdPVc/TlqmZpR4I_I/AAAAAAAACBI/iegfCn6FafM/s200/DSC00992.JPG" width="200" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Planted experimental tomatoes! </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3wTo33Q946Y/TlrBb7CqpHI/AAAAAAAACC0/M1yS3vr693M/s1600/DSC01964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3wTo33Q946Y/TlrBb7CqpHI/AAAAAAAACC0/M1yS3vr693M/s200/DSC01964.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A cluster of San Marzano tomatoes.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qJ7_b2iJXug/TlqmONd2IBI/AAAAAAAACBA/I9tSc4pbLl8/s1600/DSC01359.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qJ7_b2iJXug/TlqmONd2IBI/AAAAAAAACBA/I9tSc4pbLl8/s200/DSC01359.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The flowers of the Big Rainbow were really interesting - very different than most tomato flowers!</i><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YguNGXMUCVk/TlrAYT_qK_I/AAAAAAAACCw/uDvIOQ2Bx_I/s1600/DSC02026.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YguNGXMUCVk/TlrAYT_qK_I/AAAAAAAACCw/uDvIOQ2Bx_I/s200/DSC02026.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A beautiful, Big Rainbow tomato.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Harvests:</b></span><br />
Overall, I have been getting some great harvests and made a lot of farm-fresh food. Tomatoes, eggplants and tomatillos have ruled.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XCcppK4aJZs/TlqqKGrTR0I/AAAAAAAACBQ/TNvw0gV5tWk/s1600/DSC02044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XCcppK4aJZs/TlqqKGrTR0I/AAAAAAAACBQ/TNvw0gV5tWk/s200/DSC02044.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xf1Ky4gcJYA/TlqqMfAlqVI/AAAAAAAACBU/Gtmo2J8gQU8/s1600/DSC02048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xf1Ky4gcJYA/TlqqMfAlqVI/AAAAAAAACBU/Gtmo2J8gQU8/s200/DSC02048.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-deMxW1SSUcU/TlqqM3pmibI/AAAAAAAACBY/yat6qSAocQw/s1600/eggplant+harvest+2011.08.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-deMxW1SSUcU/TlqqM3pmibI/AAAAAAAACBY/yat6qSAocQw/s200/eggplant+harvest+2011.08.13.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3ttmCIiIowQ/TlqtQg-1b3I/AAAAAAAACB4/OJrAjH4tnFs/s1600/DSC01915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3ttmCIiIowQ/TlqtQg-1b3I/AAAAAAAACB4/OJrAjH4tnFs/s200/DSC01915.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ujlbEO8zsfQ/TlqtTSwBLHI/AAAAAAAACB8/SrfuDrNJqrk/s1600/DSC01919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ujlbEO8zsfQ/TlqtTSwBLHI/AAAAAAAACB8/SrfuDrNJqrk/s200/DSC01919.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H2p6insLSf0/TlqtV4v_10I/AAAAAAAACCA/4oQRcSoXsCI/s1600/DSC01959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H2p6insLSf0/TlqtV4v_10I/AAAAAAAACCA/4oQRcSoXsCI/s200/DSC01959.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q54ejjwNTv0/TlqtZTe26EI/AAAAAAAACCE/2hfpPjkpWNQ/s1600/DSC02016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q54ejjwNTv0/TlqtZTe26EI/AAAAAAAACCE/2hfpPjkpWNQ/s200/DSC02016.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rhRHe5_v25w/TlqtdnnaCUI/AAAAAAAACCI/8ubZWtckHoA/s1600/DSC02019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rhRHe5_v25w/TlqtdnnaCUI/AAAAAAAACCI/8ubZWtckHoA/s200/DSC02019.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-krPCFLNn1hY/Tlqtho4sX_I/AAAAAAAACCM/Q_j6zaC1NoU/s1600/DSC01533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-krPCFLNn1hY/Tlqtho4sX_I/AAAAAAAACCM/Q_j6zaC1NoU/s200/DSC01533.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hxD4cCHMA9c/Tlqtlpc4xjI/AAAAAAAACCQ/Rqd960OXN9c/s1600/DSC01518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hxD4cCHMA9c/Tlqtlpc4xjI/AAAAAAAACCQ/Rqd960OXN9c/s200/DSC01518.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tomatillo craze:</b></span><br />
My two tomatillo plants have taken over their SFG box. Even having trimmed them back numerous times, they keep growing out of control. New to me this year, I have made a lot of salsa and have really loved growing them but I am not sure if I will grow them again in my current garden since they require so much space. They have affected the success of almost everything else in the box (peppers, cucumbers, beans).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xzycHD2TClY/Tlqxfkm0nKI/AAAAAAAACCU/yHlU8HWOKzk/s1600/DSC01912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xzycHD2TClY/Tlqxfkm0nKI/AAAAAAAACCU/yHlU8HWOKzk/s320/DSC01912.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Tomatillos look like little lanterns.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YFvNjjO-Iio/TlqxiBt-g1I/AAAAAAAACCY/-vMMgzbftnw/s1600/DSC02051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YFvNjjO-Iio/TlqxiBt-g1I/AAAAAAAACCY/-vMMgzbftnw/s320/DSC02051.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Tomatillo takeover!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> <b>Failed/Poor Producing Crops:</b></span><br />
My <i>Sugar Snap Pea</i> plants did not do very well this year. The plants grew pretty well, but did not produce as many pods as last year, and then died off pretty early. I used the same seeds as last year, so I am not sure if that was the problem.<br />
<br />
As I mentioned above, my tomatillos have prevented my two pepper plants <span style="font-style: italic;">(Golden Summer, Red Beauty</span>) from producing any peppers.<br />
<br />
My <i>Black-Seeded Blue Lake Pole</i> beans also did not fair very well. I used seeds from the very successful crop last year. Again, not sure if it was the tomatillos, soil or using the harvested seeds that affected their growth.<br />
<br />
Tomato results have been mixed this year. My regular <i>San Marzano</i> plant never produced a single tomato and was pulled out in July. Out of the four volunteer tomato plants that appeared on their own, I gave two away and planted two in my garden. One of them turned out to be <i>Sunsugar</i> or <i>Sungold</i> (noted by the ? in the harvest report) which produced almost as much as my <i>Sunsugar</i> I have this year; One turned out to be <i>Yellow Pear</i>, which failed after providing about two tomatoes.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Disease and pests</b></span><br />
I feel that there comes a point were all tomato plants start to get discolored leaves, a fungus or a disease. I am not sure if others in the area experienced the same thing. It didn't seem to affect tomato production, but just looks awful.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-skXS8AKf5t4/Tlq52sWQ77I/AAAAAAAACCg/bZn7lllNSTM/s1600/DSC01910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BjaLJMaGhuw/Tlq5z-yq6eI/AAAAAAAACCc/EwTA3ECfA2w/s200/DSC01908.JPG" width="150" /> <img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-skXS8AKf5t4/Tlq52sWQ77I/AAAAAAAACCg/bZn7lllNSTM/s200/DSC01910.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I was curious to see if I would have any problems with pests in my new backyard location. Until a few weeks ago, I had no problems. Then I noticed multiple ripe tomatoes gone <u>without a trace</u> from my <i>San Marzano</i> plants. I had been waiting to pick them until I had enough for a canning session. Since only the ripe ones had been taken I thought that a person had jumped my fence and grabbed them. However, a week later, after another round of missing tomatoes I saw evidence that it may have been an animal (raccoon, squirrel?) I am now trying to grab tomatoes as soon as I can before someone or something else does!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W8NzwYmU6zY/Tlq9L2c9FFI/AAAAAAAACCo/ZH5GnYF9KgI/s1600/DSC01935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UR6XPkGTvK4/Tlq9JDsseTI/AAAAAAAACCk/_VlreGFBoiQ/s200/DSC01934.JPG" width="200" /> <img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W8NzwYmU6zY/Tlq9L2c9FFI/AAAAAAAACCo/ZH5GnYF9KgI/s200/DSC01935.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
A <a href="http://alizardinthegarden.blogspot.com/2010/07/acting-like-mr-mcgregor.html">similar experience</a> to last year in my community plot, I have had baby bunny visiting my backyard. All of my plants were full-size, so I was not worried about damage it would do. He seemed to have no desire to eat anything but grass and enjoyed being able to sit in the shade the tomatillo plants. It has now grown up a bit, but still visits from time to time. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VaAxz6UgB3g/Tlq9OomRnRI/AAAAAAAACCs/TfIh1c2SXjE/s1600/DSC02014.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VaAxz6UgB3g/Tlq9OomRnRI/AAAAAAAACCs/TfIh1c2SXjE/s200/DSC02014.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>alizardinthegardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667898926523249543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805718450165728591.post-73942915196762563162011-06-05T23:14:00.013-04:002011-06-05T23:46:12.604-04:00Lettuce and Strawberries...on repeat.Aside from Wednesday's crazy weather of severe thunderstorms and tornados, the weather has been sunny and mild. It has been great to spend so much time outdoors. This week's harvest continued to be all about lettuce and strawberries. I harvested a few more ounces of <span style="font-style: italic;">Salad Bowl</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Boston</span> lettuce, in addition to six perfect <span style="font-style: italic;">Junebearing</span> strawberries, which are really living up to their name.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rWpR320_X3A/TexHAoLec4I/AAAAAAAAB8g/pQQIaBv7oac/s1600/DSC01053.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rWpR320_X3A/TexHAoLec4I/AAAAAAAAB8g/pQQIaBv7oac/s200/DSC01053.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614940911535289218" border="0" /> </a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2wRLFoFZaLA/TexHBL52lPI/AAAAAAAAB8o/gjBeqOfqjfs/s1600/DSC01127.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2wRLFoFZaLA/TexHBL52lPI/AAAAAAAAB8o/gjBeqOfqjfs/s200/DSC01127.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614940921125049586" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />The <span style="font-style: italic;">Everbearing Strawberries</span> look just like they did last year - not very appetizing. They are supposed to be more of a small, alpine berry (compared to the Junebearing variety), but I am not sure why they look so bad. I have not tried eating one yet - but maybe that will be the true test since it is the most important factor!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w13FW6wqUZg/TexIFAyTyDI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/Xo5PFUDy-14/s1600/DSC01125.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w13FW6wqUZg/TexIFAyTyDI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/Xo5PFUDy-14/s200/DSC01125.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614942086371723314" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Other news...</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The first pea flowers came out this week. They always remind me of birds...<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M6sQgQ6JZxY/TexIDgE1gnI/AAAAAAAAB8w/9lUb0BblZIU/s1600/DSC01114.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M6sQgQ6JZxY/TexIDgE1gnI/AAAAAAAAB8w/9lUb0BblZIU/s200/DSC01114.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614942060411191922" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br />I moved the largest of the mystery volunteer tomatoes to an open square near the rest of the tomatoes. I hope that it proves to be a successful transplant so I can find out what variety it is. I hope to move the remaining three from their current and crowded location, but need to get more soil to put them into containers.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E3vEU4FOBeI/TexID9kUBYI/AAAAAAAAB84/7kz4t6H2wcY/s1600/DSC01106.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E3vEU4FOBeI/TexID9kUBYI/AAAAAAAAB84/7kz4t6H2wcY/s200/DSC01106.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614942068327843202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">My <span style="font-style: italic;">Golden Summer</span> pepper plant is getting a little ahead of itself. At only 8" tall, I noticed that it had at least 4 peppers starting to grow. There is no way that it could support them, so I pinched off a few to encourage growth upwards!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fgq2nDLC3LQ/TexIEL5RCII/AAAAAAAAB9A/VYlG8BjYEzc/s1600/DSC01108.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fgq2nDLC3LQ/TexIEL5RCII/AAAAAAAAB9A/VYlG8BjYEzc/s200/DSC01108.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614942072173824130" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tXXyXM8IVjk/TexIEsH-KyI/AAAAAAAAB9I/WA7EC_v3iYs/s1600/DSC01107.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tXXyXM8IVjk/TexIEsH-KyI/AAAAAAAAB9I/WA7EC_v3iYs/s200/DSC01107.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614942080825436962" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zbmBf3AC18E/TexKNGsbrLI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/4j4bG85yAjQ/s1600/DSC01096.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zbmBf3AC18E/TexKNGsbrLI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/4j4bG85yAjQ/s400/DSC01096.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614944424419896498" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Garden overview 6/4/11</span></span><br /></div></div></div>alizardinthegardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667898926523249543noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805718450165728591.post-77301268397585460992011-06-04T16:56:00.010-04:002011-06-04T23:09:47.252-04:00Rosemary & Thyme Flatbread<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--mKNQWdxWFY/TeryfGXkN7I/AAAAAAAAB7w/hBK4StZzihM/s1600/DSC01101.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--mKNQWdxWFY/TeryfGXkN7I/AAAAAAAAB7w/hBK4StZzihM/s320/DSC01101.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614566501570066354" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-whIZvLS5TtM/TeryeoG2l8I/AAAAAAAAB7o/n1UTETn60G4/s1600/DSC01102.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-whIZvLS5TtM/TeryeoG2l8I/AAAAAAAAB7o/n1UTETn60G4/s320/DSC01102.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614566493446903746" border="0" /></a><br /></div><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);" class=" down" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Link" class="gl_link" border="0" /></span></span><br />My rosemary and thyme bushes are really starting to take off. So, I wanted to figure out how I could use a lot of each herb at once. I remembered a <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/08/crisp-rosemary-flatbread/">recipe</a> from smitten kitchen (one of my favorite cooking blogs) that I made a while back - rosemary flatbread. It was absolutely delicious - and easy as she says it is. Since she commented that other herbs like thyme could be substituted for rosemary, I decided to make a batch with thyme.<br /><br />Due to a limited parchment supply, I cut four 8" x 6" squares - which made the flatbread a little thicker than a thin cracker. However, both versions were very yummy!alizardinthegardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667898926523249543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805718450165728591.post-10554894728142237752011-06-04T15:30:00.000-04:002011-06-04T14:58:34.800-04:00Links of Interest #2<span style="font-weight: bold;">Crafts/Projects</span>/<span style="font-weight: bold;">Ideas</span><br /><a href="http://www.ikeahackers.net/2011/05/herbal-regal-for-terrace.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Ikeahacker+%28ikeahacker%29">Terrace Herb Display (made from Ikea GORM shelf)</a><br /><a href="http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/gardening/a-vertical-salad-garden-go-green-gardeners-146588">A Space Saving Vertical Salad Garden</a><br /><a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/2011/05/hunt-gather-and-host-green-garden-party.html">Host a Green Garden Party</a><br /><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/summer-centerpieces-for-dinner-parties#slide_2">Vegetable Patch Centerpiece</a><br /><a href="http://www.ikeahackers.net/2011/05/tromso-indoor-composting-worm-bin-and.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Ikeahacker+%28ikeahacker%29">Three-layer Worm Composting bin (made from Ikea TROFAST bins)</a><br /><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);" class="" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Link" class="gl_link" border="0" /></span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Articles</span><br /><a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/life/archive/2011/05/the-farmers-market-myth/238661/">The Farmers' Market Myth</a> - cheaper or more expensive?<br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/10/health/10really.html?_r=1">Can Eating Local Honey Cure Allergies?</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Food/Drink</span><br /><a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/2011/05/small-measures-with-ashley-herb-infused-vodkas.html">Homemade Herb-infused Vodkas</a><br /><a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/recipe-roundup/5-ways-to-eat-sugar-snap-peas-this-spring-144936">Five Ways to Eat Sugar Snap Peas</a><br /><a href="http://www.chow.com/food-news/77877/trend-o-meter-says-hibiscus-is-in-4111/">Hibiscus is in</a> - although I have never had any food with hibiscus, it is one of my favorite flowers, reminding me of my time in Bermuda. I am excited to see it making a presence in drinks & food!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Plants</span><br /><a href="http://www.unplggd.com/unplggd/spring-clean-your-office-air-with-these-eleven-easy-plants-143185">Using Plants As Air filters</a>alizardinthegardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667898926523249543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805718450165728591.post-7273570283468381712011-06-03T10:37:00.003-04:002011-06-03T10:55:20.893-04:00Event : Garden Party & Flower Arranging at Frog PondVenture down to Frog Pond in the Boston Common on Saturday, June 4th from 10am-2pm for a free flower-arranging demonstration and workshop. Pre-registration is encouraged and can be done <strong><a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dFZkWmF4ZlRQMWtaNzhBdVdRbFJTd3c6MQ" target="_blank">here</a></strong>.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">In anticipation of Boston’s hosting the World Association of Flower Arrangers (WAFA), the Frog Pond will host a free flower-arranging workshop taught by a designer from the Cass School of Flower Design in Watertown. Create your own beautiful flower arrangement at no charge. </span><br /><br />It looks like it is going to be a beautiful day - cool but sunny, and there should be plenty of baby ducklings and geese to see!alizardinthegardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667898926523249543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805718450165728591.post-56952471778789178002011-05-30T21:05:00.019-04:002011-05-30T23:40:42.642-04:00Strawberry Season<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KTNkfxWSUUc/TeRaFoHKYMI/AAAAAAAAB6M/25uQuSvND9g/s1600/DSC01041.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 392px; height: 293px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KTNkfxWSUUc/TeRaFoHKYMI/AAAAAAAAB6M/25uQuSvND9g/s320/DSC01041.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612710088323784898" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">English Lavender</span></span><br /></div><br />I hope that everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. I spent the weekend up in Maine, seeing family and welcoming the start of summer with open arms. Although slightly cooler up north, it sounds like it was a great, hot weekend for most of New England.<br /><br />I had a special treat of fresh Jersey strawberries that my parents brought up from southern NJ, which tasted heavenly paired with a bowl of vanilla ice cream. Then, as I returned home tonight to my garden I found that a few of my own <span style="font-style: italic;">Junebearing Strawberries</span> had ripened.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RdBIv2VdqLY/TeRaF9hxwqI/AAAAAAAAB6U/DHL1SpX_NY8/s1600/DSC01043.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 194px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RdBIv2VdqLY/TeRaF9hxwqI/AAAAAAAAB6U/DHL1SpX_NY8/s320/DSC01043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612710094072562338" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Now, I know the rule that you are supposed to pinch back flowers on strawberry plants in their first year to help them establish for the future - but I am just too impatient to follow that rule. I let my three plants flower away. So, tonight I ate three great tasting strawberries of my own.<br /><br />I swear that most of my plants doubled in size over the weekend. I love watching everything grow. In addition to the three strawberries, I harvested more <span style="font-style: italic;">Salad Bowl Lettuce</span> (2.25 oz) and my first head of <span style="font-style: italic;">Boston Lettuce</span> (4.75 oz).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EunyXsS6rfw/TeRaF9Tg-0I/AAAAAAAAB6c/_2kaqh3hLyY/s1600/DSC01048.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EunyXsS6rfw/TeRaF9Tg-0I/AAAAAAAAB6c/_2kaqh3hLyY/s320/DSC01048.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612710094012742466" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">5/30/11 harvest</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Other growing news...</span><br />The volunteer tomatoes are taking over and will need to be moved soon:<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r-9UYxGuBrk/TeRgxGSAF_I/AAAAAAAAB7E/DE_cCwfL-VU/s1600/5.30.11%2BVolunteer%2BTomatoes.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r-9UYxGuBrk/TeRgxGSAF_I/AAAAAAAAB7E/DE_cCwfL-VU/s200/5.30.11%2BVolunteer%2BTomatoes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612717432226453490" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My first tomatoes (<span style="font-style: italic;">Better Boy</span>) are growing:<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mMXH-gfHOyw/TeRbSHn4z8I/AAAAAAAAB6s/qF9RBdrYGn0/s1600/DSC01045.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mMXH-gfHOyw/TeRbSHn4z8I/AAAAAAAAB6s/qF9RBdrYGn0/s200/DSC01045.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612711402452602818" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My second succession of <span style="font-style: italic;">Black-Seeded Blue Lake Pole Beans</span> (planted only on 5/24) are about half the size of the first succession, planted more than two weeks earlier on 5/8. The warm weather really made a difference with germination:<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VY9mJdb4jBE/TeRcmQ4vuJI/AAAAAAAAB68/qdW6UFvUuls/s1600/DSC01040.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VY9mJdb4jBE/TeRcmQ4vuJI/AAAAAAAAB68/qdW6UFvUuls/s200/DSC01040.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612712848048240786" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div></div>alizardinthegardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667898926523249543noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805718450165728591.post-31110268523003643452011-05-22T14:23:00.012-04:002011-05-22T17:28:43.001-04:002011's First HarvestLet there be lettuce...and salad.<br /><br />In between the rain storms this week I harvested some of my <span style="font-style: italic;">Salad Bowl</span> lettuce (11.4 oz). The leaves were definitely getting out of control, and I wanted to make sure I did not let them go too long, where they developed a bitter taste.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OxZGWJv-EYE/Tdla7GSbdVI/AAAAAAAAB5k/akMrbrzIIYE/s1600/DSC00954.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OxZGWJv-EYE/Tdla7GSbdVI/AAAAAAAAB5k/akMrbrzIIYE/s320/DSC00954.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609614782213354834" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I love the fact that I have already had my first harvest, as it was about two weeks before last year. However, I still have quite a few weeks before I will be able to harvest anything but lettuce. My <span style="font-style: italic;">Boston Lettuce</span> is doing quite well, and I expect to harvest some of that soon, but I anticipate the next veggie to harvest to be...sugar snap peas! <br /></div></div>alizardinthegardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667898926523249543noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805718450165728591.post-18543015845871377962011-05-17T15:15:00.003-04:002011-05-17T15:20:10.151-04:00Tomatoes en route!<div style="text-align: center;">My Burpee tomato order is finally on the way - the plants should arrive on Wednesday!<br /></div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4VQsgBW_6kU/TdLKFPpVebI/AAAAAAAAB5c/X6V9z4l1h9o/s1600/tracking.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 435px; height: 119px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4VQsgBW_6kU/TdLKFPpVebI/AAAAAAAAB5c/X6V9z4l1h9o/s400/tracking.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607766677477751218" border="0" /></a>alizardinthegardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667898926523249543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805718450165728591.post-51109614948979402192011-05-15T20:23:00.018-04:002011-05-16T13:30:46.742-04:00CommencementThis past weekend seemed to be all about commencement. One of the great volunteer opportunities I have in working at a college is assisting at the annual graduation ceremony. For the second year in a row I signed up to be a "marshal," someone assigned to lead/direct a row of students during the commencement activities. Although a bit stressful at times, it is such a great opportunity to share the day with students. It also means that I have to look the part - wearing the whole outfit: black robe, a hood with my grad school's colors, and even the hat with tassel! Saturday's ceremony was ordinary and extraordinary at the same time, and everyone was thankful that the weather cooperated.<br /><br />Immediately following the commencement ceremony, I went over to Russell's Garden Center in Wayland, MA to buy a majority of the vegetables I wanted to plant this year. I had everything calculated and planned out - expect for a few varieties of tomatoes. There are many varieties to choose from, but I just picked a few based on wanting a combination of cherry, paste and slicing tomatoes - with some 'new to me' varieties. I am very excited to have the 2011 growing season officially commence. This is what I came home with:<br /><ul><li>Marigold (<span style="font-style: italic;">Durango Orange, Durango Outback Mix, Bonanza Yellow</span>)</li><li>Tomato (<span style="font-style: italic;">Italian Ice, Jet Star, San Marzano, Sunsugar, Better Boy</span>)</li><li>Basil (<span style="font-style: italic;">Sweet</span>)</li><li>Cucumber (<span style="font-style: italic;">Diva, Northern Pickling</span>)</li><li>Tomatillo (<span style="font-style: italic;">Toma Verde</span>)</li><li>Eggplant (<span style="font-style: italic;">Black Beauty</span>)</li><li>Pepper (<span style="font-style: italic;">Golden Summer, Red Beauty</span>)</li><li>Parsley (<span style="font-style: italic;">Flat</span>)</li><li>Zinnia (<span style="font-style: italic;">Cut & Come Again</span>)</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OJlMdIxw3Y4/TdCdsKZGKpI/AAAAAAAAB40/c7NHInxkDOk/s1600/DSC00932.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OJlMdIxw3Y4/TdCdsKZGKpI/AAAAAAAAB40/c7NHInxkDOk/s320/DSC00932.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607154918105688722" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Tomatillos are new for me and although I have some research still to do, I hope to diversify my salsa creations this summer. I am also curious about the <span style="font-style: italic;">Italian Ice</span> cherry tomato variety. They are going to be white/ivory! The <span style="font-style: italic;">Sunsugar</span> cherry tomato was just too amazing last year (about 240 harvested) to pass up. I grew impatient waiting for my marigold seeds (planted 4/17) to grow, so I bought some plants. I just love the instant color they bring to the boxes. I left a few of the marigold seeds that actually germinated, but there may not be enough room for them all to mature.<br /><br />On Sunday I was able to get everything in the ground, but a rain storm interrupted me mid-day so I had to stop. Luckily it stopped in late afternoon just enough to allow me to plant the rest. I cleaned up the tomato plants, trimming the lower leaves to promote upward growth and placed a few crushed egg shells around the base of the tomato and pepper plants for added calcium. I have a few empty squares as I wait on the arrival of my <a href="http://alizardinthegarden.blogspot.com/2011/05/three-new-experiences-mail-order-plants.html">mail-order grafted tomato plants</a>, wait to sow the next succession of carrots & lettuce seeds, and purchase two cabbage plants. Here are what the boxes look like after planting - it is great to have them full.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ub3jeTsjaM/TdCfWLO1A2I/AAAAAAAAB5M/AScGgt5DCDg/s1600/DSC00940.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 174px; height: 130px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ub3jeTsjaM/TdCfWLO1A2I/AAAAAAAAB5M/AScGgt5DCDg/s200/DSC00940.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607156739397190498" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Is1NVvAtQg0/TdCfV24D2GI/AAAAAAAAB5E/uvl-07Bl1zY/s1600/DSC00939.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 172px; height: 130px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Is1NVvAtQg0/TdCfV24D2GI/AAAAAAAAB5E/uvl-07Bl1zY/s200/DSC00939.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607156733932984418" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p-Wrmr0d4tQ/TdCfWUTP4kI/AAAAAAAAB5U/8v218vWXNX8/s1600/DSC00942.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 173px; height: 130px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p-Wrmr0d4tQ/TdCfWUTP4kI/AAAAAAAAB5U/8v218vWXNX8/s200/DSC00942.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607156741831647810" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />This week I really need to start harvesting some of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Salad Bowl</span> lettuce, which will be my first harvest! Over the past few days, I noticed a few volunteer tomato seedlings among the weeds that have popped up in the SFG beds. I am hoping to let one grow a bit to see what it turns into!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ghc5z5JlJbM/TdCdr7oGEqI/AAAAAAAAB4s/4B6APoagJxs/s1600/DSC00931.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 191px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ghc5z5JlJbM/TdCdr7oGEqI/AAAAAAAAB4s/4B6APoagJxs/s320/DSC00931.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607154914142065314" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />This week looks to be very rainy. Hopefully my all my plants will survive the heavy downpours. I have heard from a few people that crops seem to be behind compared to this time last year. It has definitely been a cool spring. However, since weather can change in a second, who knows what this summer will bring. My fingers are crossed that it will be as good of a year as 2010!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Car8o03nYiY/TdCdsTRHjYI/AAAAAAAAB48/0gjmJXdFn_A/s1600/DSC00943.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Car8o03nYiY/TdCdsTRHjYI/AAAAAAAAB48/0gjmJXdFn_A/s320/DSC00943.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607154920488144258" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Garden Overview</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> 5/15/11</span></span><br /></div>alizardinthegardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667898926523249543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805718450165728591.post-22604067722737017792011-05-09T00:02:00.006-04:002011-05-09T22:47:54.656-04:00Lilac Day & Garden Tasks<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eGUdRlZi5Yc/Tcdnl2r9UhI/AAAAAAAAB4c/TBlbkzL4oMw/s1600/DSC00925.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eGUdRlZi5Yc/Tcdnl2r9UhI/AAAAAAAAB4c/TBlbkzL4oMw/s320/DSC00925.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604562161318580754" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sgq8WuymuYA/TcdnmDt55_I/AAAAAAAAB4k/RiD6CPgytos/s1600/DSC00916.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sgq8WuymuYA/TcdnmDt55_I/AAAAAAAAB4k/RiD6CPgytos/s320/DSC00916.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604562164816406514" border="0" /></a><br /></div> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span>I hope that everyone had a wonderful and beautiful Mother's Day.</span><span> I was not able to be with my mom, but spent the day doing a few gardening tasks and visiting Arnold Arboretum for their annual <a href="http://arboretum.harvard.edu/news-events/lilac-sunday/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Lilac Sunday</span></a> festival. It was very impressive, and although some of the lilac bushes had not yet fully bloomed, the air was filled with their fresh scent</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">. </span><span>Have you ever seen white lilacs? </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Weekend Garden Tasks</span><br /><ul><li>sewed second succession of carrots (<span style="font-style: italic;">Finger</span> & <span style="font-style: italic;">Short 'n Sweet</span>)</li><li>thinned red onion plants</li><li>sewed first succession of<span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Black-seeded Blue Lake Snap Pole Bean</span></span> </span>seeds (which I saved from last year's crop).<br /></li></ul>alizardinthegardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667898926523249543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805718450165728591.post-62917883364915463462011-05-07T13:59:00.010-04:002011-05-07T21:44:57.078-04:00Three New Experiences: Mail Order Plants & Grafted Heirloom TomatoesI am excited for the following three reasons I am about to try for the first time:<br />1. Mail Order Plants<br />2. Heirloom Tomatoes<br />3. Grafted Tomatoes<br /><br />I first heard about grafted tomatoes a few weeks ago upon receiving an <a href="http://www.johnnyseeds.com/t-jssadvantageApril2011.aspx?source=E_JSSAdv_0411_HGCR">article</a> via email from Johnny's Selected Seeds (JSS). According to JSS, grafted tomatoes "can improve production, overall crop health and vigor, reduce or eliminate the need for pesticide use, lengthen harvest duration, and significantly increase net income." Below is a photo from JSS's article showing the difference in appearance between grafted (left) and non-grafted (right) tomato plants.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kif32gmPMnk/TcWKf-iagdI/AAAAAAAAB30/szGP3elTGGk/s1600/JSS%2Bgrafted%2Btomatoes.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 231px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kif32gmPMnk/TcWKf-iagdI/AAAAAAAAB30/szGP3elTGGk/s400/JSS%2Bgrafted%2Btomatoes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604037593300369874" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Here is JSS's <a href="http://www.johnnyseeds.com/Assets/Information/TomatoGrafting.pdf">step-by-step guide</a> if interested to give it a try as they claim it is not difficult. I am a bit too intimidated by the process to try it myself, so I noted the technique, but moved on.<br /><br />However, on Friday the topic of grafted tomatoes re-entered my inbox as I received another email - this time from Burpee - stating that they had 6 varieties of grafted <span style="font-style: italic;">heirloom</span> tomato plants for sale. Still curious about the benefits of grafted tomatoes, Burpee's well advertised "limited time while quantities last" was all I needed to jump on the offer. Here is Burpee's <a href="http://www.burpee.com/grafted-tomato-plants/garden-ready-grafted-tomato-plants-article10590.html?cid=EM_2011_05_06_Grafted-Heirloom-Tomato-Plants&">article</a> about grafted tomatoes. I ordered two <a href="http://www.burpee.com/product:prod002375/grafted-tomato-san-marzano-prod002375.html">San Marzano</a> plants and one <a href="http://www.burpee.com/product:prod002374/grafted-tomato-big-rainbow-prod002374.html">Big Rainbow</a>.<br /><br />Since I was expect to buy and plant all my tomato plants next weekend, these three tomato plants (expected to arrive next week) will likely be the first I add to my garden. I am very excited and will provide updates about all three of these new experiences in time.alizardinthegardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667898926523249543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805718450165728591.post-68162808448053631192011-05-07T13:00:00.001-04:002011-06-04T14:56:53.187-04:00Links of Interest #1Below are a few things I have come across from a variety of sources that I thought I would pass along:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Crafts:</span><br /><a href="http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2011/05/vegetable_patch_quilt.html">Vegetable Patch Quilt</a><br /><a href="http://www.urbangardensweb.com/2010/12/07/eco-friendly-bamboo-bench-also-grows-plants/">Planter Box Bench</a> (looks easy to build)<br /><a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/frugality/garden-labels-from-wooden-spoons-119715">Garden Labels from Spoons</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gardening:</span><br /><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/inspiration/a-diy-kitchen-garden-walltatertots-jello-145210">DIY Indoor Garden Wall</a><br /><a href="http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/15-repurposed-planters-just-add-dirt-142393">Creative Planter Ideas</a><br /><a href="http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/planttherapy/plant-remedies-straight-from-the-kitchenplanttherapy-116903">Plant Pest Remedies Straight from the Kitchen</a><br /><a href="http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/guest-post/how-to-clone-your-herbs-guest-post-from-gayla-trail-of-you-grow-girl-120361">How to Clone Your Herbs</a><br /><a href="http://aplusrstore.com/product.php?id=550">Mobile Container Gardens</a><br /><a href="http://www.cheapvegetablegardener.com/2009/01/most-profitable-plants-in-your.html">The Most Profitable Plants in Your Garden</a><br /><a href="http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/four-ways-to-use-baking-soda-in-your-garden.html">Four Ways to Use Baking Soda in the Garden</a><br /><a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/2010/06/small-measures-with-ashley-natural-insect-repellents.html">Natural Insect Repellents Using Herbs from the Garden</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Food/Drink:</span><br /><a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/recipe-roundup-cocktails-with-fresh-herbs-straight-up-cocktails-and-spirits-119132">20 Summer Cocktails with Fresh Herbs</a><br /><a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/tips-techniques/longlasting-greens-how-to-keep-salad-greens-fresh-126732">Keeping Salad Greens Fresh with a Towel</a><br /><a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/food-science/is-it-possible-to-get-a-tan-in-your-kitchen-telegraph-uk-118216">Getting a Tan from Eating Carrots</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Local (Boston) stories:</span><br /><a href="http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/green/greenblog/2010/07/seaport_hotel_churns_out_green.html">Seaport Hotel Installs Giant Green Composting Machine</a><br /><a href="http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/locavore/local-means-fresh-and-healthy-with-seedlings-too-117620">Buying Local - Seedlings & Plants</a><br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/12/dining/12gardens.html?pagewanted=1&th&emc=th">Harvard Pilgrim - Workplace Garden</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Misc:</span><br /><a href="http://marketplace.apartmenttherapy.com/features/top-10-us-farmers-markets-worth-a-trip">Top 10 U.S. Farmers Markets</a><br /><a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00184037">Garden Set Kids Toy from Ikea</a><br /><a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/frugality/how-much-do-the-residents-in-your-city-spend-on-food-117815">How Much Do Residents in Your City Spend on Food?</a>alizardinthegardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667898926523249543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3805718450165728591.post-58558707318698963672011-05-06T09:22:00.004-04:002011-05-06T09:36:54.219-04:00Competition Among Peas<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The Winner!<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l3w2py0hCSU/TcP2xiG6IwI/AAAAAAAAB3s/hwZDrCj6fL4/s1600/DSC00907.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l3w2py0hCSU/TcP2xiG6IwI/AAAAAAAAB3s/hwZDrCj6fL4/s400/DSC00907.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603593692208833282" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In a race to grab hold of the trellis, this little guy was the winner!<br /></div>alizardinthegardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667898926523249543noreply@blogger.com0