I'm Back! And Plus Garden Stuff

After 3+ hours and 3 telephone calls to Dell, I received the replacement keyboard.  I was assured on the first two telephone calls to Dell that the keyboard was on its way.  The keyboard was not even ordered until the third phone call on Friday!  It is not the same keyboard that was ordered for the computer, namely it is the cheapest available and not back lit.  However, at this moment, I'm thrilled to be able to type words and spaces instead of copying and pasting each letter and space.  :D  But, I will give long consideration before purchasing an extended warranty that supposedly replaces the equipment. 

Enough with the complaints and on to a much happier subject. Here are some photos of the little garden's progress.

White geraniums function as a toxic, trap crop for the Japanese beetle.  It is suggested that the white geranium be planted about 20 feet from the garden to draw the beetles to it.  Aren't the flowers lovely with the pink anthers?

Red spider mites and cabbage worms steer clear of all geraniums.  Plant geraniums close to corn, grapes and cabbage.  This geranium is planted in the herb garden but will pick up one or two more when the corn is planted which should be by the end of this week or the first of the next -- got to consult the Farmer's Almanac to see which days are good for planting seeds that produce above ground.  :D

This is the African marigold which reseeded from last year's.  I had quite a few African marigolds in the garden last year, but this is the only one I've found so far.  I'm just hoping that I didn't pull up the seedlings thinking they were weeds. 

Petunias attract the asparagus beetle, leaf hoppers, and some aphids away from your veggies.  In fact, petunias are good to plant throughout your garden.  I bought a flat containing 24 petunias and have 5 left to plant. 

 

The yarrow is coming up nicely in the herb garden.  I will probably transplant some of it in both the little and the big gardens because yarrow attracts predatory wasps and lady bugs.  I don't know if it is an old wives tale but was told to use a yarrow poultice on a brown recluse spider bite.  Should I ever be bitten by one, not only will I rush to the nearest doctor but will apply yarrow poultices.  I believe in covering all bases.

Four weeks ago the garlic chives were frozen to death or so I thought.  This is what it looks like today.

Two years ago I bought a couple of basil plants for my herb garden.  I haven't needed to buy any since as it reseeds itself.  I plan to transplant a few of these close to tomatoes, asparagus and petunias.  Basil deters thrips in addition to improving the taste of tomatoes. 

My first attempt at growing mesclun greens which makes for a delicious addition in salads.

Finally, a strawberry is appearing.  I've not had any success with strawberries this year in that I planted 30 bare root plants which died during our two-week freeze in February.  I bought 10 more and they never put out one green leaf.  As a measure of desperation, I bought a container with six strawberry plants.  I want to separate and transplant to the ground but am afraid they will die.  For the record, I bought a strawberry kit and jar last year.  They never sprouted a leaf.  I may be jinxed when it comes to strawberries but have not quit trying.  I dearly love strawberries!  I shall overcome.  :D

Hot peppers, jalapeno in this case, are a good companion to tomatoes.  We'll see since I transplanted four near the tomatoes that went into the ground yesterday.

I bought 7 tomatoes plants.  I read somewhere to plant tomatoes much deeper than where the soil meets the stem.  I tore off the bottom leaves and buried about 1/2 of the stem.  It is said that the main stem gets stronger and, of course, the roots are much deeper.  As I said, 7 were planted.  This morning I am one less; I suspect Maggie jumped into the little garden sometime last night on one of her trips out to patrol the premises or after she went out this morning.  UGH!  I'll be buying a couple more plants. 

I think I know how Maggie is getting into the little garden; but, naturally, the wildlife camera was not turned on.  I'm thinking she jumps into the herb garden and then using that additional height to leap over the 4' fence on the little garden's side.  I've been waiting since January for rain to enlarge the little garden and enclose the herb garden by pounding in more T-posts on which to attach 5' horse wire.  It hasn't rained more than a few drops since January 15 and the ground is like concrete. 

Whew!  This is a long entry, but I've been out of a keyboard since last Monday and had a lot stored up to say.  lol  For the record, though, as the week progressed, I got much better at picking out single letters and numbers with the mouse to copy and paste.  I couldn't stay silent for long. 

Until next time, God bless.