Mullein

Mullein

Thanks to the Plant ID section on YouGROWGirl.com, this "weed/ wildflower" has now been ID'd.

Is is in the far right corner of my garden, most likely from the lovely lady who gardened here before me.

It is about 2ft tall and 2 ft wide.

here are the plant specs

-biennial 

-grow up to six feet high w/ a width of two to three feet

-nicknames including: Aaron's Rod, Candlewick Plant, Cow Lungwort, Velvet Dock, Flannel Plant, Shepherd's Staff, torches, Our Lady's Flannel, Jacob's Staff, Beggar's Blanket, Hare's Beard and Old Man's Flannel

-in ancient times it was dipped in tallow and used as a torch, which was carried during ceremonies particularly in funerals

-medicinal herb particularly for lung problems

-to make a Mullein infusion, or tea, place one to two teaspoons of dried flowers and/or leaves (two to three times as much if using the fresh herb) for each cup in a pot and cover with boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes and strain well to avoid ingestion of the hairs and pollen, which can cause an irritating itch in the mouth

-in Germany, the flowers are steeped in olive oil and then used for ear infections and hemorrhoids

Strawberries

Isn't she pretty

I started with 5 strawberry plants last year. 

Here is one of them.

She is sending out runners (see the pot tot he right, yea that's her).

The top photo is what looks to be what is going to be the first ripe strawberry. 

Block Painting

So it's a long story, but today Heather painted the paver where her friends pet was buried in yard today.  It looks great.

&

To not feel left out Josh painted one too.

"You Are Beautiful"

*

"BloodLust"

Update

May 26th, 2009

Tomatoes & Strawberries

Far Left Corner

Transplanted Tomatoes & Zucchini (The 1 Tomato isn't going to make it)

Today I finished transplanting my seedlings and sowed some Soy Bean seeds.

I still have a few more seedlings that need are going to be in large pots, but my seedlings in cups needed to be planted, the rats have knocked over the cups every night, they are better off in the ground.

Josh & Heather came out for a gander today.

Ugh Water Trouble

So I thought I was getting a hose to water the garden

BUT

no, see that top part there is supposed to be a wheel faucet handle

is there a replacement?

who do I contact?

will this cost a lot?

I am so aggravated, I'm a renter and contacted my landlord 

still no answer.

Update & Garden Work

The May Garden

Todays Work

- set up a few more 8ft poles, for tomatoes, along the fence

-      weeded all the plots for Soy Beans, Zucchinis, and Squash

-       transplanted some tomatoes, peppers, one zucchini, basil, and marigolds

I tipped over the blocks in my wall

Making two planters

Holding: Basil & Zinnias

The halfway mark on digging in my poles

The 3 on the end are in already

Each one is about 18 inches in the ground, I hope that's enough.

Top left in the shade: seedlings in trays

Center planter and white bucket: strawberries

Along fence: tomatoes next to poles

In plot: 1 artichoke and 2 okra plants

Sienna was a little over heated today .

May Garden

Things to do

Things to BUY:

- 6 more 8ft. 1x2 in. poles, for tomatoes  (1.25 each x 6= $7.50)

- 4 ft. mesh fencing, that needs to be dug a ft. deep, for rat control. (ehh around $10)

- they only eat my PEPPERS

- Hose, Nozzle, & wheel knob faucet handle (ours is somehow missing!) 

(H= 15, N=10, WKFH=.50=====$25.50)

- One Lrg. bag of Garden soil ($10), 

- Two bags Potting soil, Im going to yard sales looking for pots for the flowers. ($12)

My BUDGET: $65.00 

Hopefully I can keep to my budget, I'll post my receipt afterwards.

Things to DO:

- Plant- Zucchinis, Peppers, Eggplant, Melons, & the rest of the Tomatoes.

--- and the flowers, I have a ton, but no where to plant them yet

- Get the bed for the Soy Beans ready and find where I put the Inoculant.

Finals Week

Newly Planted TOMATOES. 

TOMATO SUPPORT:  I Decided to go with 8ft. 1x2's, I think it will work. 

I dug a hole about 18 inches deep, put the pole in and then anchored it with garden pebbles at the base.

They look great I just hope they last the summer.

By the way: My spacing isn't correct, they should be a lot more spaced out, It got a little cramped half way down the line.

My Strawberries that are doing great, I already have 5 little green guys growing.

Sienna Lounging.

Behind her is the first row of Tomatoes, a row of nine. (Only 5 planted so far)

The tall poles are the five I planted, the teepee on either side is for the Roma Tomatoes 

Roma is the only variety I'm growing this year that is Determinate

 The other 4, Mortgage Lifter, Sungold, Rainbow Cherry, and Black Krim are all Indeterminate.

The difference????

Determinate- bush types which are usually early bearing and do not need staking, this happens because they are genetically controlled & their terminal buds set fruit and stop the plant from growing 

Indeterminate- are the later-maturing varieties that are taller and need staking.  

I do little 5 ft. bamboo pole teepees for my Determinates help them along.

Sometimes the fruit gets to heavy for the vine. (I baby them)

I have been so sick for the past week, worst timing.

So in the past, to sum it up real quick

- I lost my job, now I have two!

- Been going to the park

-Trying to convince Chris to move back

-Finishing up the semester

-GARDENING

Sienna

Recent Shows

So I've been working all week, Thursday was New Found Glory (see above), what a huge crowd.

and 

the lamest show ever, the AP tour, 5 bands, so bad. 

Im really just not into any of that music.

ugh.