Gallery – Never Enough Dirt

In the garden, March 2nd, 2015

By BrianT
on Mar 02, 2015
in Uncategorized

Forest Pansy Redbud(Cercis canadensis) — Forest Pansy Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

Elephant garlic (left) Chesnok Red garlic (right)

The Chesnok garlic are extremely happy and doing quite well. The matte green leaves invoke memories of drawing and coloring plants and leaves with Crayloa Green. It is a color I would later discover to not be representive of real foilage. Real foilage tends to be a brighter and glossy green.

The tale of two radishes: The daikon radish has a leaf that runs along the soil. Not wanting the leaf to block the sun out, I removed it from one of the radishes. The one with the leaf removed is now growing out of the ground. I wonder if the leaf causes the radish to stay under the soil. The next radishes planted will make for a good experiment. — The tale of two radishes: The daikon radish has a leaf that runs along the soil. Not wanting the leaf to block the sun out, I removed it from one of the radishes. The one with the leaf removed is now growing out of the ground.
I wonder if the leaf causes the radish to stay under the soil. The next radishes planted will make for a good experiment.

This Apollo’s Fire sunflower is taking the place of a Red Sun sunflower that was mowed down by slugs. To provide it with protection, a used plastic cup is installed along with.

Thyme might be the most practical herb. It grows easily, grows year round, and can be used to season many types of dishes. Thyme sows itself and after letting it grow, I yanked it out. With the bareroot, I am moving it to a more suitable location. On the far right is rosemary. Like thyme, it grows year round. They both make good ornamental plants that can be harvested for cooking. Cheap, convenient, and fresh.

First blueberry of the year. 'Sunshine' blueberry — First blueberry of the year. ‘Sunshine’ blueberry

'Sunshine' blueberry blossoms on second year cane — ‘Sunshine’ blueberry blossoms on second year cane

California Poppy(Eschscholzia californica) — California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)

February 25th, 2015 roundup

By BrianT
on Feb 25, 2015
in Amaryllis, Bulb, Flowers, Poppy, Ranunculus, Vegetable

February is coming to a close but not without a few surprises to be found and a conclusion to be had.

Last year was the first time that ranunculus was planted. When it died off, the tuber was saved but not properly stored. Mold got to them and whether they’ll grow was up in the air. A fresh stock of ranunculus was purchased and planted as an insurance policy. The growth of the ranunculus from the new stock pretty much indicates that last year’s molded stock will not grow again.

I pass by this amaryllis at least several times a day and did not noticed that it was sending up a flower bud. What is exciting is that this is its first flower bud. In 2012, I purchased an amaryllis bulb and grew it for the first time. When the flower died, I left the plant along believing that the flower would reappear the next year. Instead of a flower, side shoots shot up. It was then that I figured out that in order for the bulb to flower again that it was necessary to cut back all of the foliage. Otherwise, it will form bulbils. With four bulbils of various sizes, I planted them and three years later, the largest of the bulbils is ready to flower. Exciting!

Here is momma amaryllis in the terracotta pot and her offspring. One of the offspring only has one leaf blade and has a ways to go before it will flower. Offspring #4 not pictured.

Last year, fennel was planted for the first time. It was a surprise to discover how big the plant gets. Fennel also seeds profusely. This is one of the few fennel that seeded itself.

California Poppy(Eschscholzia californica) flower bud. — California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) flower bud.

Clivia(Clivia miniata) — Clivia (Clivia miniata)

January 2015 garden tour

By BrianT
on Feb 14, 2015
in Allium, Artichoke, Bean / Pea, Berry, Bulb, Carrot / Beet / Radish, Celery / Fennel, Dill, Elephant garlic, Flowers, Freesia, Fruit, Garlic, Garlic chive, Leaf green, Navel orange, Ranunculus, Shallot

Bok choy and gai lan harvest. Incidentally, too much bok choy is potentially harmful.

Robertson navel orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck ) blossom.

Peas have really pretty flowers. Heirloom snow pea (Pisum sativum) called, "Mammoth Melting Sugar Pea" — Peas have really pretty flowers.
Heirloom snow pea (Pisum sativum) called, “Mammoth Melting Sugar Pea”

'Sharp blue' blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum sp) blossom. A young plant I didnt expect to start setting fruit. — ‘Sharp blue’ blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum sp) blossom. A young plant I didnt expect to start setting fruit.

Heirloom snow pea (Pisum sativum) called, "Mammoth Melting Sugar Pea" — Heirloom snow pea (Pisum sativum) called, “Mammoth Melting Sugar Pea”

Bok choy (Brassica rapa Chinensis group) Ready for harvesting and thinning out. — Bok choy (Brassica rapa Chinensis group)
Ready for harvesting and thinning out.

Water droplets from the evening's dew on the gai lan (Brassica oleracea). — Water droplets from the evening’s dew on the
gai lan (Brassica oleracea).

Fragrant hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis). The first of the spring flower bulbs to bloom.

Oriental poppy (Papaver orientale). I've been trying since 2010 to get a flower. The tiny seeds have high germination rates but once sprouted, they are super delicate. They are easily damage and uprooted by the terminal velocity of a droplet of water. Last year, I was able to nurse them to a good size-- about an inch tall. Then one day to my horror, I found all ten or so of them chomped down to soil level by a single catepillar. Furious and devasted, I swiftly dealt with the problem and held out little hope that the plant would grow back. Grow back it did. I have two plants that have leaves about 6 inches long. Now that we're in the clear, it is a waiting game. — Oriental poppy (Papaver orientale). I’ve been trying since 2010 to get a flower. The tiny seeds have high germination rates but once sprouted, they are super delicate. They are easily damage and uprooted by the terminal velocity of a droplet of water.
Last year, I was able to nurse them to a good size– about an inch tall. Then one day to my horror, I found all ten or so of them chomped down to soil level by a single catepillar.
Furious and devasted, I swiftly dealt with the problem and held out little hope that the plant would grow back. Grow back it did.
I have two plants that have leaves about 6 inches long. Now that we’re in the clear, it is a waiting game.

Some softneck garlic variety that was available at the supermarket. The fine green strands are garlic chive spouts. I had a gazllion seeds to scatter with haste after the rain got to the container holding them.

Shallots. These were first grown in the garden last year from shallots that sprouted before they could be cooked.

This goji berry has been overwhelmed by the fugi that was triggered by the rain. The course now: strip the leaves.

My first time growing celery. I use it in gumbo and chicken noodle soup; and that's pretty much it. — My first time growing celery. I use it in gumbo and chicken noodle soup; and that’s pretty much it.

Bok choy grows quickly and will be my staple vegetable crop.

Recieved fresh garlic in a Community Support Agriculture (CSA) box last year and decided to dry it out and grow it. I dont know what variety it is other than that it is a softneck. — Recieved fresh garlic in a Community Support Agriculture (CSA) box last year and decided to dry it out and grow it.
I dont know what variety it is other than that it is a softneck.

The kaffir lime air layered last year by John. http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/earthkind/landscape/air-layering/ This year, I hope to see more leaves on it. With the leaves, I use it for green curry. — The kaffir lime air layered last year by John.
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/earthkind/landscape/air-layering/
This year, I hope to see more leaves on it. With the leaves, I use it for green curry.

'Green Globe Improved' artichoke — ‘Green Globe Improved’ artichoke

Elephant garlic with 'Chesnok' garlice (foreground) — Elephant garlic with ‘Chesnok’ garlice (foreground)

'Turkish Giant' garlic. Appears to be slow growing. — ‘Turkish Giant’ garlic. Appears to be slow growing.

'Turkish Giant' garlic — ‘Turkish Giant’ garlic

Blueberry blossom. Blooming early this year. 'Sunshine' blueberry — Blueberry blossom. Blooming early this year.
‘Sunshine’ blueberry

Blueberry fruiting early this year. 'Sunshine' blueberry — Blueberry fruiting early this year.
‘Sunshine’ blueberry

Blueberry (Vaccinium x 'Sunshine Blue') The leaves have green from a rust color. — Blueberry (Vaccinium x ‘Sunshine Blue’)
The leaves have green from a rust color.

Mystery plant. Very likely planted by a bird. I like the purple fringe. I am going to see if it'll flower. A flower will certainly yield another clue. — Mystery plant. Very likely planted by a bird. I like the purple fringe. I am going to see if it’ll flower. A flower will certainly yield another clue.

Roquette Arugula (Eruca sativa) Ready for making a Bollini’s Pizzeria Napolitana, Monterey Park arugula salad: roasted chicken, bacon, goat cheese, corn, & arugula. — Roquette Arugula (Eruca sativa)
Ready for making a Bollini’s Pizzeria Napolitana, Monterey Park arugula salad: roasted chicken, bacon, goat cheese, corn, & arugula.

Tea (Camellia sinensis var. sinensis) seeds from Shenzhen, China. There is nothing particular about Shenzhen other than that this ebay seller had the lowest price. If I can get any of these tea seeds to germinate, I will have to wait three years before I can start making my own tea. — Tea (Camellia sinensis var. sinensis) seeds from Shenzhen, China. There is nothing particular about Shenzhen other than that this ebay seller had the lowest price.
If I can get any of these tea seeds to germinate, I will have to wait three years before I can start making my own tea.

Upon closer inspection they were indeed leaf buds (and not bugs). The is the Goji berry that had its leaves striped off because they were infested with fungi.

Walking by this pot I spot what appears to be leaf buds.

Ranunculus tuber — Best I can do is to hope that these will still grow.

I might be a bit late on getting these Ranunculus tubers back into the ground. There's mold caused by the winter rain. — I might be a bit late on getting these Ranunculus tubers back into the ground. There’s mold caused by the winter rain.

There are a bunch of seeds attached to this Ranunculus floret. When loose, they resemble crushed red peppers. The germination rate is said to be very low. I have thousands. Surely one will grow.

February: fruit in the garden

By BrianT
on Feb 13, 2015
in Berry, Blood orange, Citrus, Fruit, Navel orange

'Sharp Blue' blueberry — ‘Sharp Blue’ blueberry

February: flowers in the garden

By BrianT
on Feb 13, 2015
in Amaryllis, Bulb, Daffodil, Daylily, Flowers, Freesia, Poppy, Ranunculus, Rose, Sunflower, Tulip

Swordlily orchid with misshapen petals due in part by a hungry katydid

'Mr. Lincoln' hybrid tea rose grows in after a being pruned. — ‘Mr. Lincoln’ hybrid tea rose grows in after a being pruned.

Amaryllis finally growing back after being cut back in late November. I discovered that they wont flower unless they are cut back. — Amaryllis finally growing back after being cut back in late November.
I discovered that they wont flower unless they are cut back.

When Amaryllis are not cut back, they dont flower but instead make offshoot bulbs. This was one of the three bulbs that has been growing for a couple of years now. Without looking up the answer, I am waiting to see how long before it will flower. Given the size, not anytime soon.

4 o'clock. These flowers are weed like. They set a bunch of seeds that scatter and grow all over the place. — 4 o’clock. These flowers are weed like. They set a bunch of seeds that scatter and grow all over the place.

Since I dont know what ranunculus look like, I was not sure if the sprouts were ranunculus or weed. Seeing the seed covering on the sprout is reassuring.

February: vegetables & herbs in the garden

By BrianT
on Feb 13, 2015
in Allium, Artichoke, Bean / Pea, Garlic, Herbs, Leaf green, Mint, Onion, Parsley, Pepper, Shallot, Vegetable

‘Green Globe Improved’ artichoke grown from seed last year

Biggest bok choy grown thus far. It is in the spot with the most amount of sun.

The spot in the garden with the most sun.

Spinach. Update: I planted these two into the ground and they were immediately gobbled up by the pill bugs.

The garden’s second generation shallots. These were grown from the seeds of supermarket shallots.

I started some paprika peppers last fall and never got around to transplanting them.

‘Anahiem’ peppers set and grew through winter.

‘Fajita’ bell pepper growing despite it being winter.

Elephant garlic grown from the bulbils. Here the elephant garlic lifted its hard bulbil shell into the air. It is going to take at least a couple of years before they get softball sized.

First time growing ‘Chesnok’ garlic. Thus far the quickest garlic (aside from Elephant garlic) in the garden.

First time growing Daikon. It is a fast growing plant.

Broccoli. It produced only a bunch of tiny florets. Which made for a quick snack when I am outside checking on the plants.

IMG_6738_1 — ‘Mammoth Melting Sugar Pea’ heirloom snow pea

The bok choy grew faster than I can figure out what to do with them. I have to remember to thin them out more aggressively in the future. Otherwise, the slugs end up enjoying them.

Fostering tomato plants

By BrianT
on Feb 12, 2015
in Determinate, Featured Post, Tomato, Vegetable

When you are a gardener, people know that you are the go to person when it comes to plants. They may ask for plant sitting favors. Fellow gardeners will share their plants with you. Once in a while, you may be called upon to foster a plant. I had such opportunity for the first time when a friend with a couple of Roma tomato plants sent a text over asking if I would be interested in fostering them. They were used for a photo shoot and now they needed a home.

Commercially grown starter Roma tomato plants

Roma tomato planted and topped off with compost. Some of the leaves closest to the ground have been pitched off. This helps reduce the chance of mold spores bouncing off the ground and onto the plant.

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