Flower Bed by the Driveway
Stories from a non-expert suburban gardener in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Last June when I harvested my garlic and braided it, I saved half a dozen of the biggest bulbs for planting. Today they got planted. You're not supposed to grow garlic where you grew it last year, so that left me in a bit of a conundrum. I didn't have enough space left in a single bed so I've split the crop in half, planting half in one of the new lasagna beds and half in the bed where I grew lettuce, basil, cucumbers, and beets last year, planting around the remaining cucumber plant and around where I just planted some lettuce and beets. I'm a bit concerned that the new bed doesn't get enough sun in the winter, but I suspect that won't matter much to the garlic. However, I wasn't willing to gamble my whole crop, since I grow all my garlic. (Didn't have to buy any at the store last year and I use a LOT of garlic.)
I'm still harvesting tomatoes, cucumbers, beets, apples, parsley, basil, and cilantro. But I'm thinking ahead also...
I know they're good in the garden but they are kind of gross, too. Weird looking. I've been lucky to spot a few around the vegetables this year and last year. Yesterday, my daughter spotted one sitting on the driveway, a large female. Should have grabbed the camera I guess but it would have been a boring picture sitting there on cement. And the second time we spotted it would have been even worse... We came out later and it had left the driveway. My friend spotted it though... Apparently a neighbor's dog had a lift a "gift" on my front lawn and the praying mantis had gone over there. The flies come; she eats. Smart little bugger I guess to go where the food comes to you!
I've been busily harvesting parsley, rainbow chard, tomatoes, beets, and cucumbers all summer. I had the hardest time getting the cilantro started but it is now looking good.
There are bare spots in the garden, which makes me think ahead to the fall, even though it's still hot August around here.
I was tagged by Kenny over at Veggie Gardening Tips. I'm not a big meme participant but decided to follow his lead and jump on in. So, 7 random things about me... Hmmm....
Rules for this meme:
Each blogger starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to then report this on their own blog with their 7 random facts as well as these rules. They then need to tag 7 others and list their names on their blog. They are also asked to leave a comment for each of the tagged, letting them know they have been tagged and to read the blog.