A Sunny Saturday Morning

Welcome Jessica, I'm glad you are here.

I've been a litle remiss in posting, life keeps getting in the way blogging. The nerve!

It's a beautiful sunny morning, so I grabbed the camera and my coffee and stepped out the back door. There is something for everyone this morning.

I'll start with the vegetables, but if you wish to jump to the flowers, Scroll down.

Green beens starting to blossom

Hairy Tomato blossoms

Cukes growing up the mesh trellis, so far so good!

A healthy start

The peppers are also doing well.

Giant Marconi (sweet)

Hot banana

Greens are a mixed bag. They are growing well, but something is eating them, I will put up a short fence this weekend.

Chard, lettuce, and shallot

Lettuce is happy

Rabbit(?) damage



Eggplant



Green tomatoes in the Growbox

All in all I am rather pleased with the Squarefoot garden attempt. So far so good.

Flower Power!
This week the lilies burst onto the scene.

Good view of Stamen and Carpel. The Anthers will stain fabric, be careful!

I cut this Clematis down to 6" tall last fall. It's over 8' tall now.

One of my favorites, Coreopsis "Moonbeam" just starting to bloom, in a week or so it will be a golden carpet.

That's what I'm up to this morning, now I'm off on a field trip. More about that later!

Until next time, Keep Digging & Eat Well!

The Gastronomic Gardener
Garden blog http://amidwestgarden.blogspot.com/
Cooking blog http://ihopeyouarehungry.blogspot.com/
Twitter - www.twitter.com/DavidPOffutt
http://www.facebook.com/TheGastronomicGardener

Wordless Wednesday

Until next time, Keep Digging & Eat Well!


The Gastronomic Gardener
Garden blog http://amidwestgarden.blogspot.com/
Cooking blog http://ihopeyouarehungry.blogspot.com/
Twitter - www.twitter.com/DavidPOffutt
http://www.facebook.com/TheGastronomicGardener

Of Peonies and Clematis

It's going to be another hot one. I took a turn through the garden with the camera and a cup of coffee to see what was on the agenda for the day.

There is one major bed that I will get to and clean out today, and then it's ongoing maintenance time.

I'll report on veggie garden progress tomorrow.

For now, enjoy the spectacle that is the Peonies and Clematis. The Peony hedge was one of the reasons I bought this house. They must be 30+ years old. These Clematis I planted just 2 years ago.

The scent of the peonies is lovely.

And the Clematis...

The little white blossoms are from the black locust tree. It also lends its fragrance to the still summer air. They are a mess to clean out of the rain gutters!


Until next time, Keep Digging & Eat Well!


The Gastronomic Gardener
Garden blog http://amidwestgarden.blogspot.com/
Cooking blog http://ihopeyouarehungry.blogspot.com/
Twitter - www.twitter.com/DavidPOffutt
http://www.facebook.com/TheGastronomicGardener

Saturday in the Perennial garden

Sad to say, but I've been neglecting my garden. Today  I managed to get about a third of the garden weeded. I'm thankful I have two more days to finish it up.  I worked on the front and the side gardens.

If you haven't gone back to the beginning of the blog, I put in the side garden last year (2009). It had been a vacant spot, but with some free river rock and 12 days off I managed to create a nice entrance to the back garden.

Even neglected, the garden is doing it's thing. I was mindful to put in drought tolerant plants that can withstand the heat on the west side of the house. I also walked around to see what might be interesting to look at.

I like the "Hens and Chicks" - they do well and don't need much attention.

This sedum is in bloom, it has a creeping rather than upright habit. The sprays of tiny blossoms are a welcome burst of color this time of year.

As I was weeding I noticed this little rabbit. It was maybe 6 inches long. It was hiding under the rudbeckia. I managed to run in the house for the camera in time to capture these shots. I had to lie down in order to see it.  I get a kick out of the wild animals that come and visit.

Finished with the side garden. I like the way it beckons you to the back.

I walked in back to see what else I might find. I was pleasantly surprised to find a lone blossom on this clematis. I had thought that it was done for the season.

This time of year the rudbeckia drifts are in their prime. It contrasts nicely with the Russian sage.

 High up in the roses, a single blossom was bobbing in the breeze.

And finally, the phlox continues to flourish. It's a tight shot as I need to get to the insidious bindweed that has invaded from the neighbors yard. Perhaps tomorrow I'll show you a wider shot once the bed is cleaned out.

I hope you enjoy this little view into my garden. Tomorrow promises to be a big day with more weeding and a trip to the garden plot.

Until then, Keep Digging & Eat Well!

The Gastronomic Gardener
Garden blog http://amidwestgarden.blogspot.com/
Cooking blog http://ihopeyouarehungry.blogspot.com/
Twitter - www.twitter.com/DavidPOffutt
http://www.facebook.com/TheGastronomicGardener

Friday the 13th! Golden plums, clematis, and hops - Oh My!

After a long day in the office (contract reviews and negotiations are draining) I came home, made a beverage and took a quick walk around.

Golden romas hiding among the fading foliage. No blossom end rot here!

A few of the 4th of July - they are not 4" nor 4oz as advertised, but they are sweet and delicious. The large amount of rain caused some to split.

A stroll to the back garden reveals a late blooming clematis. What a treat! Some insect damage but not bad.

The hops on the pergola. Besides beer anyone have any cooking ideas? They smell delicious.

So there we have it, the tomatoes will be plucked in the morning.

The Gastronomic Gardener is off to the Carniceria to see if he can pick up some backfat for bratwurst. The butcher shoppe failed me.

Keep digging and eat well!


My garden blog http://amidwestgarden.blogspot.com/
My cooking blog http://ihopeyouarehungry.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheGastronomicGardener