Tuesday, June 29, 2010

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.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

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.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

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.

Friday, June 18, 2010

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....