Fall Garden 2011

After 3 days of non stop rain, I finally got a chance to go out into the garden today.  You can water your plants all you want but there is something special about mother nature’s sprinkler system.  Everything in the yard seems to get an instant boost!

This is the new annual flower bed.

The Cosmos is growing fast.  No buds yet…I patiently wait.

The Zinnias on the other hand are ready to make an appearance any time now.

This Leaf Footed Plant Bug tried to hide in the Zinnias. He is NOT a welcome guest.

I harvested arugula this week. I’m really looking forward to some fresh tomatoes.

There are quite a few more blossoms and the plant looks healthy so far. The garden center recommended I use lime in the soil. I also used the bucket/container method recommended by the local extension office.

And the roses are just amazing. Here is the yellow tea rose. Maine coon kitty is in the background supervising :)

 

Garden Lesson

When the gardner is away, the pests come out to play.  This little dude was doing lots of damage to the recao (saw tooth coriander).  Major offense to my garden.  This is THE main seasoning to my puertorican dishes.

Trying to pretend to be part of the flower stem didn’t work to well for him.  Lesson for today: Don’t pretend to be something you are not.  You will never be able to pull it off 100%.  Now I have to check and see if his friends and family tagged along.

Banana Tree Vandal

Breaking news! The “Banana Tree Vandal” has been captured. The elusive 4 inch long ex-offender was seen today at the scene of the crime creating extensive damage to private property while gorging on banana tree leaves.
(objects in this image appear at actual size)

He was immediately arrested; indicted, tried and found guilty of trespassing, vandalism, tree abuse, and reckless behavior by the tree owner. He was given the minimum sentenced of death by stomping. The maximum sentence allowed for these offenses is death by elderly tuxedo cat mauling.