Slight OT Pumpkin Carving......papier mache style

I know, I know.... this is not really gardening related.... but it is Halloween and Pumpkin carving.....saving the real pumpkins for pies! LOL!
This is just too cool not to share. I think we may have to try this. Since we don't grow pumpkins and large pumpkins are expensive and last two or three days....
http://www.stolloween.com/?page_id=67&ref=nf

  

Avocado Pits

We started the one on the far left in July. All went really well, then the “stalkling” seemed to dry up. Still hoping a sucker will develop since the roots are developing at an astounding rate. Brought home two Mexicola avocadoes and started again. Both have split and the nodules are starting to sprout.

I’m really depressed over the burned out seedling. Chalk it up to a learned experience – keep the blinds down. I am sure the sun sunburned the poor thing. 

We’re just about ready to start the peach pits. They’ve been in the fridge for about 2 months now.

  

Bubble Wrapping the Greenhouse

It's still early October, but we got our first 33 degree night already!

I started insulating the greenhouse yesterday with bubble wrap. Purchased two 150ft rolls. I am just about half way through with taping the panels. Wasn't sure how much "air space" would be ideal. So, I decided to tape it up with the bubbles on the inside.

My hopes are to be able to grow salad fixings throughout the Fall and Winter seasons in the greenhouse. Trial and error.

I still need to paint more gallon jugs black. Enough to line the walls along the floor. With the greenhouse being only 6'x8', I don't have space for the larger barrels. Then  I will utilize a small electric heater. The main goal will be to prevent freezing temps.

I would certainly love to hear of others' methods of winter greenhouse gardening. The more "GREEN" solar type info I can get, the better. Not needing the heater would be the ultimate goal..... zone 5b

Adding a Bird Bath to garden area

During the hot dry early Summer I had noticed that there very few hummingbirds visiting the feeders. I put plain water in one feeder hoping that might attract a few more.
They finally re-appeared after a two-week long deluge of rain.
Yesterday morning, while watching the sprinkler water the garden, I saw two little hummers playing in the sprinkles! Sitting on the fence having a shower. So I decided they needed a little bird bath..... making do for this season as the hummingbird migration will soon be underway. I am planning ahead for next Spring!
I found 100's of Bird Baths at Garden.com that are offered at fantastic prices. The selection is great and I am planning my garden around the one I choose! I might just get two, one to keep shallow for the hummers and one for the big guys.

Image via Wikipedia

     We’ve been having some nice rain showers this past week. Gentle rain which is unusual for around here. It is usually a hard punishing rain. The tomato plants are doing much better. Two tiny tomatoes so far. I planted these three plants that were given to me by a friend last weekend. She forgot the names of them so we’re in for a surprise! Transplanted 3 pepper plants just before the rains started.

Scheduling for an MRI

Had too much fun with all the gardening and tree trimming! I thought my shoulder was acting up and scheduled an appt to see the PA who assisted with my shoulder surgery in August.

The results from the exam today are that there may be a bad disc in my neck causing the pain that is running from my shoulder all the way down to my elbow and sometimes wrist. I have complained of a neck ache. We'll see what the MRI shows. The good news is that possible therapy and injections will take care of the problem.

Gardening duties were light. Planted out a tomato plant that was gifted to me and a young cucumber plant. Also potted up some red petunias that my son bought for me. A bit of weeding and watering. The foxgloves are beautiful.

The avacado pit is beginning to separate. I've successfully "started" an avacado (some 25 years ago). Decided to experiment with a few pits and seeds. "C" had such fun growing a potato in a container in the LR. We did it completely incorrectly and produced one small potato about the size of a pencil eraser. The vine grew 6 ft long. In the plan are: apple seeds, peach pits (in the hull and hulled), and will let "C" look through the organic stuff and see what catches his eye.

Stop and enjoy the wildlife

Took yesterday off from yard work and tree trimming. Went on a day trip and picnicked in the forest of eastern AZ and western NM. I spotted a young bull elk and a little later on, R spotted a small herd of deer does. After lunch and headed back, C spotted a cow elk and two turkeys.

Today, we will work on trimming 3 or 4 more trees. I want to circle them with the over abundance of lava rock all over the place. Then I would like to plant some annuals and perennials inside the little “islands”. I am making a shopping list of flower bulbs to purchase.

Veggies are doing ok. Corn is off to a slow start. The broccoli is doing great, peas and greenvbeans are coming up. In the greenhouse, gardening is doing great. We have radishes, carrots, lettuce, peppers, tomatoes and the marigolds are finally sprouting.

Yesterday one of the new daylilies bloomed! Absolutely gorgeous red color. I thought I had plenty of time to take a picture, but I guess the greenhouse is just too warm and it has already expired. The same plant has another but ready to bloom. I won't miss getting some shots of this one!!!
BloomingBulb has a great sale going on a wide variety of flower bulbs. I plan to puchase the New Toy daylily and unfortunately the Pandora's Box is sold out, so that one is on my wish list!

For quality flower bulbs and perennial plants at rock bottom prices, go to BloomingBulb.com

Monthly Showers

How often do you shower your houseplants? As part of my indoor gardening, I have several beneficial houseplants throughout the house.
I set aside one day a month to give those houseplants (not the African Violets!) a good shower! Pop two or three in the tub and use the shower extention to spray them with tepid temperature water. Free of dust, the soil gets a good saturation.
A kitchen sink with a spray extention also works well.

Tough Start with a more traditional style garden

Sharing in the struggles, triumphs and failures of gardening at 7,000 ft elevation. Added to the challenges, we are located on the fringes of an extinct volcano field and experience short growing seasons.

I've successfully grown veggies in a small raised bed via the “Square Foot Gardening” method the past few years. Other gardening friends have pushed and nudged me into tackling a larger more traditional style garden this year.

With the short growing seasons, we really needed a greenhouse. We chose a small 6'x8' from Harbor Freight. It lasted a total of 21 hours! The common high winds reached 70mph and that darling greenhouse was flattened like a pancake! We salvaged the panels; reconstructed the framework with 2”x4”'s and salvaged the entire roof structure.

I would like to start a perennial flower garden this year as well....