Marigolds from Saved Seeds. 7.8.2021

Last fall I saved seeds from a volunteer marigold. It was very compact with brick red-ish flowers. I planted the seeds this spring, and here they are. I didn't grow as many flowers as I wanted this year, so I appreciate these. Since it was a volunteer plant, these are at least third generation in my garden.

Seeds are becoming more expensive now. By saving seeds, the cost is completely free and they are known varieties that I already know will thrive in my own soil, climate, and garden.

Garlic Harvest. 7.8.2021

I harvested all of the garlic in their designated raised bed. There are still a few rows in other spots. Now they need to dry and have the tops trimmed. I'm drying them in garage, away from hot sun and morning dew. I think this is the best garlic crop I have ever grown. Key is using the raised bed, lots of coffee grounds (nitrogen, potassium), egg shells (calcium, nitrogen), planting in fall, and keeping them well weeded. The variety is "Music". I had saved about 8 of the largest bulbs to plant last fall. So those were "free", whereas garlic starts from stores or seed catalogs are quite expensive.

This photo shows the importance for early removal of scapes. I'm surprised it made such a big difference.

I also had two rows of garlic bulbils. I grew those as a way to potentially have more rows of garlic without having to set aside as many bulbs. They did OK. Some might make big bulbs next year, but many were still quite small and may need two years.

Forsythia Cutting Update. 7.8.2021

Now all of the forsythia cuttings are in full sun in my kitchen garden. Except one, still growing small roots in jar of water. I gave them some 1/4 strength miracle gro as a boost. Some are making vigorous new shoots. I'll plant them in their final row this fall. Even though they will need two more growing seasons for a good privacy impact, forsythia grows vigorously and thick, is low maintenance, has a beautiful blooming season, and these were free. There was a little nibbling of new growth by satanic deer, but I think they wont bother mature plants too much because because I have other forsythia bushes in deer susceptible areas and they don't browse those at all. The cuttings that I started in water were definitely much less trouble, more reliable, and much more vigorous, compared to the ones I started in plant starting medium.

Early Buds for Main Crop Figs. 7.6.2021

They say it takes about 100 days from bud to ripe fig. That depends on variety, weather, and other conditions. For the most part, it's just wait and see now. This is "Smith" fig.

Volunteer Yellow Cherry Tomato 3rd Generation. 7.6.2021

These are from seeds that I saved from a volunteer that grew last year. It is at least F3 generation from the original hybrid, which I suspect is Sungold but could be something else, like Supersweet 1000 or a bee hybrid of the two. These are the second plant to ripen, after Sugar Rush. I expect them to be less sweet than Sungold, but still a palatible early cherry tomato. Fully ripen in a few days.

Isolating Squash Blossoms. 7.6.2021

Several of the winter squashes are blooming, mostly male flowers. I want to collect seeds and have them true to type, so I isolated the first female Pink Banana Squash blossom to avoid bee pollination with other cultivars. I didn't isolate any males yet, but should tonight. Before

After

Some people tape them shut. That might be better. I have been manually pollinating the zucchinis, which are pretty widely separated so should be true to type. Tomorrow am, I'll manually pollinate this one too.

Knee High by the 4th of July. Sweetcorn. 7.5.2021

My dad used to say the sweetcorn should be knee high by the 4th of July. That was easier back in corn growing country, in Illinois. Here in the Maritime Pacific NW it's more of a surprise. This yearm Spring was early and warm, and we had that hot spell. This variety is "Trinity", an SE+ typecthat stays sweeter, is earlier, and the seeds are a bit more tolerant of cooler soils. It is also less tall, and the ears are a bit smaller that later varieties. I planted earlier in May than In most years, because it was so warm.

I gave Rufus his Haircut. 7.4.2021

One benefit of the COVID epidemic is that I started doing Rufus's grooming. He always seemed kind of traumatized at the groomers. He's the first dog I ever had who likes a bath - I tell him "Time for your bath" and he goes into the shower. He's not so crazy about his haircut, but no longer squirms except when I trim his face and paws. I don't push it - I groom him to keep him cool and make baths easier, not to win a fashion contest. And he's pretty happy afterwards. Before

During

After. Happy Rufus!

Garden Update. 7.4.2021

Various updates from the Kitchen Garden Most of the squashes are blooming, at least male flowers. Red Kuri squash also has setting fruit. This is a male flower from Pink Banana Squash.

We got the July 4th tomatoes I wanted. Just three cherry tomatoes, but it's symbolic. These are Sugar Rush. To be honest, they are not as good as Supersweet 1000 or Sungold, but still, real cherry tomato flavor for July 4th. Also, a taste of Fallgold raspberries, from plants I planted this Spring. Pretty good to get a taste the first year.

The pickle cukes have taken off and are growing like gangbusters. The best growth is the group from home saved seeds. Too bad I don't know which variety or even if it was open pollinated or hybrid. The male flowers are puny but maybe good enough?

The red currant plant had enough currants to make a jar of jam. The plant produced even though it's in the shade of an apple tree.

First Pillow Sham Main Panel. Men's Shirt Quilt. 7.4.2021

Today I completed the main front panel for the first pillow sham, to match the unfinished quilt made from the same mens shirts. I wanted it to be mostly the same fabric, but a different pattern. Im still a beginner so this is not perfect. Even so, I'm pretty happy with the result. This will need a border and auilting. I need to finish the auilt first to see what I have left over. This panel is made entirely from scraps of thrift shop and estate sale men's shirts, left over from making the main quilt.