Monkeyfister

Picked up a cheap-ass digicamera today, and snapped some shots of the gardens. The backyard garden project is a shitty mess right now, as I'm pushing to get too many things done at one time, while the temperatures are hitting 95-degrees until sunset, so, I'm not yet ready for the BIG picture for you all. But, these are pretty nice. Click them for 8x10 version.

Front Yard Bed. This came with the house. It was all dead and weeds. Now, everything in this box is either edible, medicinal, or endangered. Strawberries in front, Spearmint top right, Tennessee Echinacea (endangered) top left, a center ring of Nasturtiums, and a Prickly Pear Cactus at the center. Eventually, they will all crowd against each other, and keep each other a bay. I'm going to spread that Tennessee Echinacea all over the yard, eventually.













My two year-old St. John's Wort plants are coming into bloom. Looks like they'll be loaded with flowers this week. Tomorrow, I buy vodka. I should be able to get a good sized tincture out of these two plants. I have two more out back.










Here's a fun view of the Asparagus side of the Asparagus/Strawberry bed. Lots of intertwined Companion Gardening and biodiversity going on here. In the fuzzy foreground, you see Squash and nasturtiums, and some little radishes popping up along the bottom. In the top right, is Romaine Lettuce, top center is Bright Lights Swiss Chard-- so pretty and colorful, all of the greens are buttressing up the Asparagus ferns. There is some parsley in there, as well, keeps some Asparagus bugs away. Soon enough, the lettuce will start bolting en masse in this heat, and I'll plant in Bush Beans. The Romain is perfect, and huge. I'll sell much of it to my restaurant buddy.







The Cole Crop Bed. Here's a nice view showing more Companion Gardening. Onions planted around the Cabbages disguise them from the dreaded Cabbage Moth/Worm. Today, I put up the floating ground cover on the hoops to keep the moths away. Tis the season. In the foreground, we have Savoy Cabbages, which I will turn into delicious Galubke (stuffed cabbages), and freeze. The big Cabbage setting up the hi-rise? No idea what he's about. I got him as a gift last fall. Perhaps it's going to seed instead of head. Above those is a 1' x 4' row of Vidalia Onions, and above that, some of the most beautiful Purple Cabbages you'll ever want to see. There is a picture below. Finally, at the very top is the Cauliflower, which is just beginning to head-up. I hope that the ground row will keep the head from discoloring before the plant gets bigger. If you look closely between the cabbages, you might see lots of little Carrots growing. Cabbages and Carrots help each others' sweetness, and the Onions protect them both.


Purple Cabbage. Heirloom. Absolutely beautiful in its coloring. I have no idea what I'll do with this many Purple Cabbages. I'll probably sell them to my buddy, who just opened a restaurant in the area. They're just pretty.















Savoy Cabbages just always make me chuckle. Their so showy. But, if you ever do make stuffed cabbages, this is the Cabbage to use. Those fluffy leaves take a bit more abuse than the standard variety.
















Day Lilies. Back to the front yard. The light was perfect to catch this cluster of Day Lilies.




















Glorious Garden...
I got really lucky with this shot. Day Lilies, Gardenia, trippy rainbow light. I got it all at my place.

This is in front of my front porch, and my bedroom windows. Once the sun sets, and the evening cools, I open the windows for a blast of Gardenia. I missed that last year. Click for big view. Not a bad picture for a crappy little $50 camera.











I have no idea how this post looks to anyone else. I looks good on my little 15" monitor. I suspect that the layout goes all over the place for some people.

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Labels: companion gardening, Gardening, Lawns To Gardens, My Life As It Is, Permaculture