I might be alive, but are the plants?

It is definitely here, summer. And the first couple of months of summer can be quite brutal while living in the desert before the monsoons arrive.  Fortunately most of May was reasonable, even a bit chilly for my memory. Just my luck, when the temperatures increase to their normal numbers, I go out of town on a vacation. And hot and dry conditions can be hell on a garden when its maintainers are on vacation.

Many and most plants did make the few days with a neighbor watering a tad, but some did not. The newest beans sprouting, about 5, a pot of carrot tops, multiple dill plants, and a few other random things did not make the few days absense. The carrots did not die in vain and will be a yummy taste addition in Pad Thai this week.

A group of plants that did smashingly well during this time was the 3 sisters planting of beans, corn, and squash.



I am surprised and stoked that the squash is doing so well. Many flowers are in bloom, and even more have gone to fruit. It will not be too long til this plant will pass on its goodness to me, a nd I cannot wait! Squash is one of my favorite summer foods, and the hardest decision at this time is what way shall I cook this for the first time this year?

Not only was the heat and lack of water a nuisance to the plants, but a critter as well. I guess the presence of two dogs keeps the critters away, and since they were on vacation too, critters are what became of a few plants. Not so sure what, or how many different critters, but the first of the strawberries and a couple of large tomatoes were eaten. Can't win 'em all, but this time the critters won. It looks as though chicken wire will be added for further protection.

 There may have been a few plants lost, but the beach trip was totally worth it. Sand, water, speaking Spanish, and camping are always a good time. And until the 'free rain' arrives with the monsoons, the plants are going to be adapting to warmer, drier weather, and I will be watering with a bit more frequency.

Am I still alive?

It seems like forever and a day since I have posted on the blog regarding the garden. Things are still happening, plants are growing, but my 'real' job has taken me away from many duties while traveling (thank goodness for S for her watering abilities). I will say though that things are producing, and once I return from a much needed vacation, I might be able to eat peppers, beets, and carrots. YUMMY!!!!! But, the beach beckons, as does my need for speaking Spanish, so I will be on hiatus for  a short amount of time. BUT, I do promise copious amounts of pictures, my vacation does include a couple of days in and around the garden. Hopefully you will be amazed at the growings, I sure have been!

Til I return, possibly a tanner (or redder in my case) individual!

it's a chicks world

I believe I have mentioned in earlier posts that I am not alone in this gardening business. As there are three occupants on the compound, each has either their own thing going on, or in the example of the upper level occupants, shared duties. So when one person must leave for an amount of time, the other members of the tribe step up and helps with the duties that would have lacked. So, as of Tuesday, I am a chicken farmer. For one week that is.

An earlier photo of the girls

 
A total of 6 chickens, and various plants, have been added to my daily fun in the garden. It is not tough work, but something that I have not done before. When I leave for work in the mornings I let the chicks out, feed and water them, and upon return, I hang for a bit. Not only do I have two compost places where the little amount of food scraps go, some now go to the chickens. It is fun to toss them (the scraps) over the wall and watch the girls go after it. Pure and free entertainment. When the sun gets low in the sky, the girls need little nudging to get back in their pens for safety. Most have already made it in each night on their own, and a few need a little beckoning.

I am glad to be a chicken farmer for a week, but since I do not consume anything that comes from this creature, I have found it is not for me. I had the small thought early on to get a few chicks myself, but I think I will stick to plants. There are too many predators out there that could get these girls, and I am a little on edge this week due to this fact. They are cute, barely cuddly, and do provide entertainment, but I think after this week I will enjoy as a neighbor and not an owner. That is until next time R leaves for a small bit. Now I am not griping, but I did find out the easy way that chicken farming is not for me in the long haul.

a little video

Here is a video of, not all, yet various parts of the garden. My apologies, the takes were with a sub-par camera, and possibly a sub-par videographer. But, you get the point.

Enjoy!

Time creeps by as the plants continue to grow

It seems as though I could stare at these silly plants in the garden for hours that turn into days. But it is not til I ignore them for a day or two that I really see a difference in their growing patterns. Other than the lettuce and other leafy greens, which I have been happily eating for a month or so now, most plants are still in the growing stages and not ready to eat. The waiting game is much longer when you start your plants from seed instead of purchasing them ready to be placed in the ground.

While watching the plants grow tall I have found that many, or most, of the seeds planted actually sprouted. Man, was I surprised! I had hoped things would prosper, but had no idea so many would. With so many plants, more space was needed to allow the plants to grow to their full potential. Fortunate for me I am not doing this gardening bit solo, I do have a helper. S was able to work on the top garden and get the land worked to where it would be suitable for planting. Many of the abundance of plants were transplanted to the top, and at this point many have survived. Unfortunately we did lose a few, but the majority of the plants are still live. I do have about 1/2 a fence put up, and if everything goes well this weekend, the other 1/2 will be laid. Luckily no critters have had their meals on the plants. 

Before picture of the upper garden

Another item in the garden that I have ignored would be the worms. It took me a bit of time to acquire more worms for the bin, who knew they were such a hard commodity to find? A person at work graciously gave me quite a few, and in looking in on them a couple of weeks after obtaining them, the compost is doing just fine.

Worm and a bit of compost

Since I was unable to find worms for quite some time, I did have to supplement the soil to ensure the soil had enough nutrients to feed the little plants. I had a bit of heartache over this at first, but quickly got over it. The alternative would have been to replant everything ever so often, and since I am not a fortunate one, I cannot afford soils in this manner. From taking a hydroponics quick course one weekend, I remembered NPK- nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, the three things plants need (under most conditions). I stopped by the hydroponics store while in Tucson and chatted with the helpful sales people on 4th Ave. I came home with an organic mixture of NPK, mostly made of various animal poo. Once the worm bin and the other compost bin have enough time to create its goodness, I will happily use this fertilizer in place of the bought stuff. Atleast the bought stuff will do the job until this occurs.

Patience is definitely not my middle name. I will of course try to calm down and watch to enjoy the garden grow. As slow as it seems at times, I do not want to rush the yummy goodness that comes from such an activity. Hopefully there will be new pics to post next time. I did catch a glimpse of one of the pepper plants happily producing a pepper. Oh I can't wait to make burritos with the first pepper of the season! Or possibly a chili rellano, or salsa, or....oh my the choices might be endless!