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     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.

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.

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....