In my Garden Lately

I've been redesigning my page for a cleaner layout, I hope this is it! I'm extremely frustrated because all my photos disappeared then Blogger keeps giving me problems with the post editor not showing things like they should. Arrrggh it's madness working on the issues for hours, I still have to re upload over 100 photographs! If you happen to read one of my older post and images are missing, I'm currently putting them all back. I'm new to the blogging world but I can't believe all the trouble I'm going through. Have this happened to anyone before? I must vent...HELP!   

Nothing much are blooming in my garden except the same flowers in containers. The newest from last week was my lovely pink Geranium, she's adding summer color. I have such small space that I'm limited to planting more flowers, besides it doesn't make sense if we might be moving soon. If you're new here, I wrote about it a couple of weeks ago. Although we're uncertain when this cabin will sell, I have to be prepared to take all the plants with us (if possible) when we leave. 

Salvia Beard Tongue (Penstemon)

Sweet Quinault and Sequoia Strawberries were beginning to ripen in the garden bed but some kind of terrible bug consumed them. I noticed small bites in the fruit so that was disappointing! A few Strawberries were alright so I added those in our salad for dinner. 

I barely have a chance to photograph Hummingbirds because they're shy but you can tell they love the feeder!  

Looking back, only 2 months ago nothing was growing in the raised beds. My husband lovingly built all the Cedarwood boxes including the low budget yet sturdy fence to protect my garden from hungry deers, rabbits, and coyotes...The deers visit often but thankfully no damage to my garden.

For vegetable garden progress update: Today the raised beds are filled with veggies sown mostly from seeds growing lush and healthy. I'm waiting for everything especially Tomatoes, Peppers, Zucchini, and Beans. Idyllwild have a short growing season so I'm curious to see when we'll get to harvest. Vegetable gardening is testing my patience but it's absolutely rewarding to watch plants grow vigorously.

Organic Roma Tomatoes

I started my Tomatoes from seed and check them out taking over the beds! I have 7 varieties with a total of 12 Tomato plants, all have tiny green tomatoes except the 3 Heirlooms with only flower blossoms.

Cherry Tomatoes are popping up nicely in clusters, I'm hoping for sweet juicy Tomatoes to ripen soon! At first, I wasn't aware the packet of seeds I purchased were indeterminate so the plants are becoming enormous, I had to tie them up and keep them from shading other vegetables! I have much to learn and next time things will be planned out better, I'm taking notes. 

My edible garden is a labor of love! I'd like to hear what everyone is harvesting in their veggie gardens. Any gardening advice for a newbie? I appreciate it and have a wonderful week!   

Visiting Mom's Garden and O.C. Fair!

Sometimes my husband and I need to get away from the mountains, we long to see the city and relieve ourselves from cabin fever! It's almost a 3 hour drive yet exciting when you've been couped up at home talking to Squirrels. We visited my sister and stayed at my parent's house for 2 days. Roses in my mom's backyard garden were in bloom but not all since she pruned them. They weren't blooming like I saw them long ago. I love this baby pink rose, its fragrance was sweet and delicate to touch.

My mother is sick and her condition seems worse as she gets older. She's weak with Arthritis and can't tend to the garden like before. Years ago there were flowers blooming all around like crazy. Too bad I can't find photos I took from my first digital camera. Although the garden is not colorful like I remember, it's still lush like a private forest. She also owns about 20 Parakeets living in a large birdhouse cage my dad built and another 4 Lovebirds in a separate cage. Wild birds come by everyday perching on the branches of trees. It's truly serene and my mom loves nature like I do.

Interesting Succulent, I don't know the name but it's growing and trailing down near the ground. She can plant almost anything then leave it alone until it grows triple the size!

I appreciate follage in the garden. When there aren't flowers; leaves certainly add color, shape, and texture.

Here's an old water fountain that I'm guessing wasn't working but is now a nice garden statue tucked in her garden.

I gave my mom Hibiscus years ago. I recall it being small but today the Hibiscus is a giant bush with tons of blooms. It's tropical and I'd love to grow them someday when we're in the proper hardiness zone and I have garden space.

I'm reminiscing about how mom's garden used to be when she had energy to keep up with it! I only have a few pictures of flowers that grew in her garden. I believe this is Dahlia, it's vibrant and beautiful!

I LOVE the ruffled petals of this rose and I'm obsessed with every shade of pink flowers! This variety is not in bloom yet but my mother's garden surprises me when flowers pop up in unexpected places.  

Mums in many shades bloomed profusely in her garden along with other gorgeous flowers of various color. I'm inspired to continue gardening and one day I'll have more room to plant flowers, veggies, and herbs! 

Hubby and I spent quality time together, we had a blast at the annual O.C. Fair in Costa Mesa! This was the Centennial Farm and Garden Show. It amazing to see everything contestants grew from kids and adults that entered. Behind me were a variety of onions, very fun to look at!

   

Many veggies in the show, here's an arbor covered with beans!

I was checking out all the vegetables and that motivated me to eat more greens! 

I love Sunflowers even on a cloudy afternoon. Sunflowers have a way of cheering me up and brightening up the day.

Quite expensive Plumerias but I'd like to grow them in the future!

There were plenty of animals in the Barn Show. My husband took this adorable picture of a snoozing pig and piggies! 

Llama busy chewing hay! 

Some freaky bird costume on stilts? 

We treated ourselves to yummy greasy food throughout the day, but it was the first time I ever had Funnel cake. It was a huge plate of warm dessert we shared and it was absolutely divine! :) 

First Lettuce Harvest with Healthy Recipes

I harvested my first leaf lettuce yesterday and we enjoyed a variety of wonderful greens. I'm ecstatic about vegetable gardening knowing what went on our table was homegrown and fresh, no pesticides or synthetic fertilizers but look at how healthy they are! I grew the lettuce from seeds, it amazes me as a beginner and the taste can't compare from store bought.       

We have plenty to last all season, I can keep coming back with this basket for harvest. I look forward to growing other varieties in the future! Lettuce was definitely worth the wait and I have a feeling we'll be eating more salads than before. This is the first time my husband and I had salad straight from the garden! Thanks to Seeds of Change, Renee's Garden, and Botanical Interests for the packet of seeds. Here we have Merlot, Summer Lettuce Bouquet, Red Sails, and Oak Leaf Lettuce. Perfect for Summer since they won't bolt as fast.

Organic Mixed Salad with herbs from my garden topped with Goat cheese and slivered almonds. Hubby said it was the best salad he ever had, awww such a sweet compliment! We eat very well, his tummy is always happy :) The texture of lettuce was both buttery and crispy. Moreover, herbs gave wonderful aroma and flavor. For a quick recipe you can prepare: I combined Red with Green Leaf Lettuce, Cilantro, Parsley, Sweet Basil, Variegated Oregano, and chopped Green Onions. Garnish with almonds and Goat Cheese (substitute whatever cheese you prefer). I also added a dash of salt, fresh ground black pepper, and about 1/4 tsp all natural Frontier™ Salad Sprinkle Seasoning Blend.

I served the salad for two with my homemade dressing. Savory Shallots Garlic Vinaigrette was excellent with a nice balance of flavors. You can adjust the vinegar and oil according to taste. Ingredients were: 1 tbsp chopped Shallots, 2 cloves minced fresh Garlic, 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, about 4 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1 tbsp Lemon juice, 1/4 tsp dried Parsley, 1/4 tsp onion powder, a dash of salt, and fresh ground black pepper. Combine together well.

Strawberry Lemon Water with Pineapple Mint

Another quick recipe for summer! Add fruit to your water, we're drinking more water and it's a refreshing, natural way to add flavor. For a glass: Slice about 3 Strawberries, 2 Lemons, and add ice. Garnish with Pineapple Mint or English Mint if you have any. You can make a pitcher to last for awhile if you desire. Slice a handful of Strawberries and 1 small lemon, then add a tray of ice and some Mint. 

Pineapple Mint from my garden. I recently found out how good this was with water but it's optional if you don't care for it. However, Mint would probably be great with homemade jams, tea, and some desserts. By the way what veggies are growing in your garden? Have a fabulous and relaxing weekend everyone!     

Hummingbirds and July Blooms

Hummingbird after the salvias  

As you all know I've been trying to capture a decent photograph of hummingbirds that come by often in my garden. They're so shy and only stay for a few seconds. This little one unexpectedly visited while I was watering the garden and I barely had a chance to turn on the camera before it flew away!

My husband moved the feeder a little closer for a better chance of taking a picture. Yet still, the cute hummingbird stayed for two seconds hiding on the side or behind the feeder.

My mom gave me geraniums from her garden in the spring. I didn't know what color they were, I planted them on the ground in late May and yesterday I noticed the flowers were blooming. I'll have to eventually pull them out and transplant to a container when we move. By the way moving is still up in the air, it depends when this cabin sells. I'm still blogging and I appreciate my readers!

More geraniums to come, it's exciting!

Dahlinova hypnotica, bronze bicolor began blooming again after I deadheaded the flowers. I had to cut it down quite a bit because the leaves were turning yellow and brown but they're back to life again.

I don't have new flowers blooming in the garden for now. The latest addition is yarrow, summer berries I planted in a container. We need to attract more pollinators ... come on bees do your thing!

My African violets are back again. The flowers were gone for awhile. It's nice to know I can keep them alive after I killed several of these 8 years ago from excessive fertilizer and water! Now they're happy on the windowsill with filtered light, less water, left over coffee sometimes, and sea kelp fertilizer. 

We filled the feeder 3 days ago. These wild birds eat too much!  I love watching birds from my garden, they're adorable. Oh this afternoon was a pleasant surprise, it sprinkled for awhile with rolling thunders. We enjoyed the fresh mountain air! It has been too hot and humid so rain is wonderful for a change. Have you been getting any rain? Happy Thursday to all!      

  

Beginning of My Organic Tomatoes and Goodbye?

Roma Tomatoes

This morning I woke up quite early, not enough sleep from excessive stress taking a toll on me. I haven't been able to water my plants or veggies for a couple days due from being sick. The weather has been terribly hot and dry that tending my garden must be done before the sun appears or I get dizzy in the summer heat. I had a migraine for 3 awful days and was recovering from a cold which led to sinus infection.

Cherry Tomatoes

I expected container plants to be shriveled up but to my surprise (again) they all looked alright. In my garden today, tiny tomatoes finally bloomed and made me smile. Roma and Cherry Tomatoes are bearing small fruit except the Heirloom which I heard takes time. I started from organic seeds back in February indoor under fluorescent lights. It seems like I waited very long. It's a miracle to watch seeds germinate, become seedlings, then suddenly be over a foot and still growing strong! My enthusiasm comes from being new to vegetable gardening, in case you're wondering. 

Tricolor Beans, Flower Blossoms

 2 x 4 Vegetable Raised Bed

My husband and I received sudden news that the cabin we're living in is being sold as soon as possible, perhaps in the next two months or by the end of this year. We have no choice because we don't own the property. We're having financial difficulties because the lack of employment. I'm aware we're not alone since plenty of people I know are out of work and suffering in this economic crisis. If you're going through it don't give up, try to remain positive. I can relate, we understand.  

Took awhile for the Leaf Lettuce to grow

We're not sure where we'll move or if I'll have a garden at all. Honestly, I might be writing my last post until I know where we stand. I love my garden, it makes me truly sad but that's the reality of it all. The Tomatoes are still babies and green but hopefully I'll see fruits ripen and maybe make it to the end of the growing season. I wonder if I'll have a chance to harvest my very first vegetables, or if I'll have to pull them out allowing them to die. I don't know anyone with room or patience to take care of my edible garden. After all the hard work and effort, I might have to let them go. I had plans of making and freezing tomato sauce, grilling vegetables, making salsa, and preparing salads but now things are uncertain. That's life, plans change, and only God knows what's best.

My list of healthy veggies and fruits planted in organic soil with a desire for us to independently grow our own food in sustainable ways. No pesticides, harmful chemicals, or synthetic fertilizers were used:

• 3 Roma Tomatoes
• 3 Cherry Tomatoes, 1 Cherry Delight 
• 3 Heirloom Tomatoes: Green Zebra,  Brandywine, and Marvel Stripe
• 1 Tomatillo (grown not from seed) 
• 3 Heirloom Zucchinis
• 3 Heirloom Green Beans, 3 Tricolor Beans  
• 1 Arcadia Broccoli (grown not from seed)                  
• Potatoes, Red and Fingerling (grown not from seed)  
• Variety of Leaf Lettuce 
• 2 Jalapeno Peppers 
• 1 Serrano Pepper (grown not from seed)
• 5 Strawberries: Sequoia, Quinault, Pretty in Pink Everbearing (grown not from seed

I'm growing 6 types of Basil, I'm crazy about them! In this container: Cinnamon, Thai, and Red Rubin Basil. The others in the garden bed are Italian Large Leaf, Sweet Basil, and Spicy Basil.

We have many herbs for cooking. If I'll be able to, I'm going to take my container garden wherever we go. I'm genuinely grateful to live in the mountains for even a short time. The door of making a home here probably closed on us because of better opportunities. I'll announce what's going on when we find out. It has been awesome meeting other passionate gardeners and excellent bloggers out there. Thank you for following my garden blog, I appreciate you all. This is not a final goodbye but goodbye for now. Farewell to my little garden?

More Sweet Strawberries are blooming 

Have a great weekend to everyone!