Starting to act like Fall..........

 The weather is changing and it looks like another Fall is starting. The tomatoes get pulled today and the gardens fertilized to settle through the winter months. I've decided to limit my garden to tomatoes this year and only the cherry variety. The larger ones seem to be less productive and I always seem to want more.

Spent the weekend in Eureka Springs Arkansas and it was a complete washout. Rain didn't stop till we got back to Tulsa. Next Year !!! We were looking forward to the Monster walk down Main Street but it was too wet for us. We played rummy cube most of the weekend. The one night we ate out the restaurant was full of Zombies so it was kind of fun. Some really good makeup on the people in the eatery. The food was great !!!

My bonsai maples from Carthage are starting to change color and that is always a pleasant reminder of where I grew up. I guess that's about all for now...still tired from the weekend..going back to bed and will pull tomatoes this afternoon. I feel extremely lucky to be alive at 73 and still enjoying life..it's had some challenges but overall its been a hoot ! I'll try to get more out later....thanks for reading my ramblings.

New post coming soon -!!!

Cattail….happening!

 Looking at one of my pots on the deck I noticed a Cattail forming several days ago.Since then I’ve noticed sheathing around it that is starting to dissipate. I had never noticed this before. I need to start looking more closely I guess.

Disney idea….

 Looking on the patio I had a Disney moment..,, 

The talking soles…..

Planting done and the first tomtaoes picked...

 I guess I got started early this year as I have harvested my first tomatoes last week. I have never had any before June or July. Nothing like Home Grown Tomatoes. Went out this morning and staked them up as they are really growing.I must have gotten about 12 off yesterday and there are at least that many more coming on. Gonna be a great year !!! Not the tomatoes that conquered the world but still delicious.

We were in Texas several years ago and bought aTexas Star Hibiscus and it has thrived. The blossoms are amazing and fragrant.

As long as I am writing I must say something about our Lilly. I love it.

Pretty neat !!!

Starts at last !!!

 Spring fever took over and I guess I planted my seeds too soon. Feeling like a chicken waiting for eggs to hatch I waited and waited for something to see coming out of the dirt....yesterday it happened. The first sign of life. A couple of brave peppers sprouted and I guess the rest will follow. Time will tell. I have decided to not start my tomatoes from seed as I have in the past as I waited too long to plant them indoors so I'll be out in the next few days buying plants to put in the garden. Probably Romas and Cherry tomatoes will be my selections. I like the cherry  size for my salads and th Romas for burgers, spaghetti, and eating with salt and pepper.

The peppers will get smoked in my Traeger smoker and added to various recipes I cook. Really great additions to the meal. Last year I waterproofed and stained the east two decks and today I will prepare the west deck for the same  treatment. The wood looks better and will last longer due to the lack of water damage. Probably break out the lawnmower and start mowing for the first time this year. Probably trim back the hedge also......

The start of the Summer season. More new images coming soon-be on the lookout !!!!

Started the seeds

 I've planted my pepper seeds and birdhouse gourds for the spring and will set the tomatoes later next week. I'm looking forward to a summer of gardening and raising  butterflies again. We are also looking forward to some travel and photographing again. aMy back is better though not totally good. I'll make it though maybe with additional activity it will improve. I'm going to build as raised bed on legs for onions cilantro and cumin. That way I won't have to bend down to harve3st them and  the rabbits won't have access.

I'm really tired of doing nothing but working my three days a week and am ready to get into the dirt.

I'll keep you posted and look forward to new images next week.

Garden plans...

 Cold wet and slight rain...figuring out garden plans. Over the last several years I have planted different varieties of tomatoes in my garden with pretty good success. This year however I'm changing my direction. On our three decks I have always planed elephant ears in the pots and tomatoes in the garden. This year I'm planting the tomatoes in the pots and the ears in the garden. This will allow the tomatoes to get more sun and be easier for me to watch and harvest. The elephant ears will go in the garden to keep the bulbs alive for next season in case I don't like this years trial. Always have a backup plan. This should work well as tomatoes really don't have a very large root base4 so they should be fine in the pots. Aldo gong to drop some fertilizer in the pots tomorrow so it will settle ofe3r the next few months and be ready for spring.  

Really lousy day out-cold drizzling and just not pleasant. Should I expect moree in January ???? DUH !

I'm scanning some shots Fromm my stay in Nicaragua and will try to post them tomorrow. Check them out....

Time for decisions..

The first three months of the business area always spotty as companies are slow to get moving in this economy over they last year or two, So today is probably the only day I'll have for a while to get the beds ready for planting this spring. I'm going to HD and get three or four bags of manure to fortify the beds and pots with. It always seems to lend to a better crop of tomatoes. This year I"m not bedding them but growing them I free standing pots. For another reason is to give them more light and open bed space for other crops that are as yet to be selected. This should be an interesting experiment as tomatoes don't have extensive root systems so the pots should be fine. And they should be easier to tale care of..

I'll keep you posted 

Mike