New For 2013

2012

 This was Christmas Day 2012, and I stayed my butt at home out of this mess.  While it was beautiful, now it's become a beautiful mess.  Freezing temps hit across the state and we will have those temps for several days, the new casters say. I've got plenty of food and the stoves are on, so I can hunker down for a day or two, till things get better.

Make Your Wreath

You can go online to the website below and design your own wreath for the holiday's.  They have different items to suggest for your wreath design.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING 2013?

Pecan Trees

Storms

Recently the eastern states have experienced a horrible storm.  The devastation is so bad that it will take a long time for them to clean up and rebuild.  Many lives were lost as well as homes, businesses and properties.  In one area fires broke out leveling the whole housing neighborhood.  Water has flooded towns all up and down the coast, leaving property destroyed or damaged beyond repair.  It seems that area of the coast line, is a direct hit during the hurricanes season.  I don't relish the expense and trauma the people are suffereing.

It's Cool Out

The contrast from 80's to 40's is not to my liking.  Here in Texas they say if you don't like the weather just wait a few minutes and it will change.  Somehow I don't think that will apply today.  It's predicted to be in the 50's at the most today.  That's a bit shy of the 80's yesterday.  I really hope our winter months gives us the needed cool days to combat the insects next year.  Still I don't relish the idea of snow, sleet and cutting cold winds.

Cool Front

I have been watching the local news and weather in the last few days to keep up on things.  It looks as though we are expecting a cool front to hit today.  The news caster tells us that by 4pm, we will know that the weather has changed.  As I write, the wind is churning up with strong gusts and the clouds are drifting in. 
Since I have the house windows open to let in fresh air, I assume that this cool front will make me close them.  I am a bit cold natured and don't like it when my hands and feet get cold.  I put the electric blanket on my bed yesterday when I changed sheets, so I'm ready for the cool weather.

Money

It's amazing the amount of money that can be spent on keeping up a yard and garden.  Last year I remember investing large amounts just to keep the yard in city code shape and clean.  It means that if you want to have a yard that keeps standard viewing, then you are going to spend money on it.
My vegetable garden cost quite a bit of cash as well.  This leaves me to think about down sizing the coming year.  I did the type of garden one is accustomed to having in the years prior to now.  Back then you had a huge garden with all types of vegetables to support the coming harvests.  Today, it's not feasible to have such a garden considering the things that just won't grow right in certain soils and the weather.  Certain soils take a large amount of mulch to get it in shape for planting seasons.  I'm one person who is not young anymore.  I have to pay people to come and do the heavy work for me.  Here in you have more expense. 
This coming year I am considering having raised beds that can be easier controlled.  The harvest will be less but I'm sure the area involved will produce better.

Grass

I got on the riding lawnmower and mowed the yard today.  It was getting high with the rains we have been having here in Texas.  The mower is limited to the areas it can access and therefore it will need the weed eater.  That's another story, since the one that I bought from a guy, hasn't made it to my front door as yet.  I guess when he decides that I really need it he will come and bring it or do work around here to make up of the money I gave him.  That's what happens when you trust extended family members to be straight up with you.
There are a few weeds that grace areas where the lawnmower couldn't get, so if I can get my lazy butt out there before the ground gets too dry and pull them up then it will look much better.  If not then they will get larger and go to seed.  Darn weeds.

Storms

Last night was full of weather.  In the afternoon and during the whole day the wind blew as if it would never blow again.  Only a few showers had come and gone when I turned off the TV and went to bed around 11pm.  Around 2:15am I was awakened by loud thunder, brilliant lightning, high winds and heavy rain.  The storm lasted about 40 minutes and even after you could hear it moving further down the country side with it's loud thunder rumbling along the way. 
I went out this morning to a beautiful sun lit day, no mess to clean up like fallen trees or limbs. So I feel good about they way the storms controlled themselves.  As you know Texas has storms that get out of control more often than not.

Hey Lady

How cute of this lady with her ideas about planting bulbs and getting rid of the pests.

Cold

My son, who lives up in Cheyenne, WY. just text me and told me that they have snow.  There's about 2 inches already and it's not over yet.  I saw that they front we are now experiencing was making it through their area yesterday.  We won't have snow here, but the panhandle of Texas may get some.  I know it's cold here and that's enough for me.  The temperatures were in the 70's & 80's here yesterday and this morning they are in the low 50's.  That's Texas weather for ya!

Time to Mow

It seems the grass wants to grow again, now that a good rain came by.  Along with all the leaves that have fallen, I'm sure it will make good winter mulch once I have mowed.  Maybe this will be the last time I need to mow for this season.  I don't relish the winter months but the freezes are needed to combat too many insects from hatching next year.

Cover Crops

Planting Fall Bulbs

Planting fall bulbs that will bloom in the spring is a great idea.

Not Problem

I have no problem with her when it rains.  She makes sure to get inside and lay around all day.  Getting up to eat on occasion and then right back laying around sleeping.

WOW

Well, it's later on in the day, and when it started raining, it put it down.  As I am writing this post, it is raining a good soaker.  I sure am glad for the rain and hope it sticks around a few more hours.  It's been raining about 2 hours now and that's a good thing.

Rain

I got up this morning thinking there would be a good drizzling rain in action.  Nay, to that idea.  It has been sprinkling from time to time, and the grass is wet. but no rain. Since I have the "Weather Channel" on my computer I put it on the "radar" screen and it shows plenty of rain all over our areas here in North Texas.  Still I believe they are trying to tease us, since at the present it's not raining in my area.  Hey, come on now.

Plants

 The plants in this picture are all that's left of my once big garden.  Some pepper plants and in the clay pot there's onion plants that I grew from a seed packet.  I'm sure they will make it through the winter as long as I keep them watered or it rains.  As for the pepper plants, they will give it up on the first freeze, unless brought inside.  There hasn't been much rain lately, so I've had to water them every few days.  I'm about tired of them with this constant drought.  It would have been nice to have a good rain weekly.  That's not going to happen.

The Leaves

This is just a few of the leaves that have already fallen in my yard.  I know that before long the yard will be covered with them.  I have several large trees which will contribute to the coverage of leaves.  Two weeks from now will be a mess.

Planting Garlic

Fall

As of 9:49am this morning it has finally arrived.  It will not feel like fall because it is predicted to be in the 90's today and stay that way most of next week.  A cool front that is supposed to come is has been pushed off by a high pressure sitting in the west Texas area.  Either way we know that the equinox has made things happen.  The leaves have been falling in my yard for weeks, so the experience is already here.

Gone

The days when the above picture was going strong has passed and the place where it's beauty was growing is now desolate.  The heat, no rain and grasshoppers have taken their toll and now I'm just not interested in working that hard for another disaster like this year's.  I know that it was a 1st year garden and that the amount of work done was adequate for what developed.  I still am too tired and too old to worry with what could have been.  I'm sure that the people who were helping me with it, were enjoying the money I spent each time they drove out to work.  I realize that Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is a great garden.  I may go smaller this next spring and make raised beds for my convenience.  As for a fall garden.........forget it......I'm too lazy.

Building Raised Beds

Raised Beds

Strawberries......

Perennials

Good Idea

So, you think earthworms are outdoors creatures? Well, you can actually raise them indoors, and use their castings to improve your soil, indoors and out.
Container
Make it large and manageable, space 8 to 12 inches deep. They feed on the top layers of the bedding. Bins can be plastic or wood.
Drill 8 to 12, ¼-inch-diameter holes in the bottom and sides for aeration and drainage. Drill more holes if using plastic or bedding stays wet. Place a tray under bin to collect “tea” that drips from bin. Tea makes good fertilizer for houseplants.
Bedding
Options; shredded cardboard, newspaper, or coir (coconut husks); and peat moss. Mist bedding with water if it looks dry.
Cover bins to keep worms in dark. Keep temperatures between 40°F and 80°F for survival, place bins in cellar, warm garage.
Red wigglers thrive in temperatures between 55°F and 77°F (Worms from garden, night crawlers, prefer cooler and deeper soils.) Buy red wigglers through the mail or at a bait shop.
One pound of red wiggler worms (about 1,000 worms) can eat a 1/2 pound of scraps a day.
Food
Feed worms vegetable scraps, fruit peels, coffee grounds, tea bags, crushed egg shells, and even leftover pasta. No spicy foods. Avoid meats, fish, fatty and oily foods, and bones. Lay a thin layer on top of bedding. Worms feed in the dark.
A small amount of potting soil or cornmeal help your worms digest their meal.
Harvest
After 3 to 4 months your worms should have eaten the bedding and the scraps. Top layer of matter should be dark brown and the consistency of chunky sand. Harvest the castings. Push the castings to side, add more bedding and scraps. Worms will go to the new bedding and scraps. Dig out castings and add more bedding and scraps. Make sure to pick out stray wigglers and return

Peas

I have been able to get a fair harvest from the purple hull peas and yet, I feel that my garden didn't do well this year.  I hope that next year can produce better yields since, I invested quite a bit of money in this one and am not seeing any profit.  I love fresh veggies out of the garden and will try to find better ways to go the route on the coming seasons.

Summer

It's here in all it's glory with the heat and bugs along with the dry grass, wildfires and that 's just part of it.  The heat is horrible to the point of being so bad that Texans just give up and turn on the air.  It's bad when your car air doesn't work.  You will swelter in the heat a car builds during these months.  That's why so many deaths occur during the summer.  The heat is nothing to deal with, just keep hydrated and inside if at all possible.  Keep an eye on small children and elderly people, who are most at risk during this time.

Weather

The weather has been crazy here in Texas and it's not without disaster's.  There was a horrible hail storm last week that left very expensive damage.  I'm thankful that it didn't happen in my area of the state.  I could have used the rain that came with it, but since it went around my area, I suppose it's time to water.  The garden and the yard is giving me that look. 
Mowing the grass will have to wait about 3 more days because of my errands that need to be done.

Garlic

Planting Fall Bulbs

Planting Corn

Eggplants.....

Cucumbers

Pole or Bush Beans?

Corn Tassels

As you can see the corn is tasseling and I can't wait for the corn to start growing.
It will be good to have some fresh home grown corn.

 

Turnips

It's looks as though the turnips are taking their time as well.  Not only that but the leaves and stalks aren't looking as healthy as I had hoped for.  It's not been a great growing season, for the root plants.  The potatoes and onions didn't do well either....

Weather

It has been a good growing season this spring.  As we join the coming summer, I look at my garden which is coming into the harvest time.  I just picked the green beans and am looking at the corn.  The tassels have bloomed and I noticed some ears forming on several stalks.  The purple hull peas are starting to make, the okra is starting but taking it's slow time.  The tomatoes haven't fared as well as I had hoped and the cucumbers are sparse also.  The squash haven't done well either and I guess you may be asking, what do I expect from a 1st year garden?  The cabbage is heading slowly as well.  Darn it I sure didn't want to put any commercial fertilizer on it, to get a good harvest.  The rain has been much better this year, so I thought maybe it would make everything okay.  But, nay to all the above and I sure wish the harvest was alot better.

Looking Good

Vegetables are growing and looking good.  On the left there are green beans that are running and blooming.  It won't be long until this garden will need me everyday to harvest the fruits of my labors.

Corn/Weeds

The corn and purple hull peas are growing, and so is the grass and weeds.  I need to get my lazy butt out and start hoeing this stuff before it takes over.

Squash

The squash plants have really gotten big since the great rain we recently received.  It will be great to have fresh squash from my own garden.

Tomatoes

My first tomatoes of the season are starting to grow, this is very rewarding when you have a vegetable garden.

Cukes

Hey, I got cucumbers............can't wait to have a fresh salad with these babies......... :)

Keep Off Ground.

Peppers

Growing Tomatoes

I recommend checking out the website for this company.  It's great....

Potatoes Are Up

The potatoes are growing but the crop didn't do as well as I had hoped. The red potatoes that sprouted must have rotted in the ground with all the rains we have had and the standing water. Guess the white potatoes were stronger, because they are up and doing well.

Earthworms

So, you think earthworms are outdoors creatures? Well, you can actually raise them indoors, and use their castings to improve your soil, indoors and out.
Container
Make it large and manageable, space 8 to 12 inches deep. They feed on the top layers of the bedding. Bins can be plastic or wood.
Drill 8 to 12, ¼-inch-diameter holes in the bottom and sides for aeration and drainage. Drill more holes if using plastic or bedding stays wet. Place a tray under bin to collect “tea” that drips from bin. Tea makes good fertilizer for houseplants.
Bedding
Options; shredded cardboard, newspaper, or coir (coconut husks); and peat moss. Mist bedding with water if it looks dry.
Cover bins to keep worms in dark. Keep temperatures between 40°F and 80°F for survival, place bins in cellar, warm garage.
Red wigglers thrive in temperatures between 55°F and 77°F (Worms from garden, night crawlers, prefer cooler and deeper soils.) Buy red wigglers through the mail or at a bait shop.
One pound of red wiggler worms (about 1,000 worms) can eat a 1/2 pound of scraps a day.
Food
Feed worms vegetable scraps, fruit peels, coffee grounds, tea bags, crushed egg shells, and even leftover pasta. No spicy foods. Avoid meats, fish, fatty and oily foods, and bones. Lay a thin layer on top of bedding. Worms feed in the dark.
A small amount of potting soil or cornmeal help your worms digest their meal.
Harvest
After 3 to 4 months your worms should have eaten the bedding and the scraps. Top layer of matter should be dark brown and the consistency of chunky sand. Harvest the castings. Push the castings to side, add more bedding and scraps. Worms will go to the new bedding and scraps. Dig out castings and add more bedding and scraps. Make sure to pick out stray wigglers and return

How To Make Seed Pots

Ground

The ground is dried out and cracking after all the rain we've gotten this spring.  I was afraid this would happen.  It looks as though I will have a huge water bill this summer.  Here is the turnips, cabbage, potatoes, mustard spinach and green beans. 

My Garden

As you can tell there is plenty of weeding that needs to be done.  It is my hope that these tomato plants will thrive and make plenty of tomatoes so I can enjoy canning a few and having some fresh salads.  :)

Vegetables

This is the garden that I have planted and it's a first year garden.  I'm am enjoying watching it develop into a good harvest.