We were sluggis this morning! We had our coffee without a jaunt to the garden; instead, we cleaned the office and did our delinquent filing! The office is now almost presentable for Sunday’s visitors, plus we find things we have been looking for every time we “clean.”
The morning walk revealed we were beginning to get blueberries, which are so satisfying directly from the vine.
Did You Know? They have been shown to protect against heart disease and cancer and help preserve bone strength, mental health, and healthy blood pressure. Blueberries contain a plant compound called anthocyanin, giving them both their blue color and many health benefits.
We have blueberries!
We had to shift the bench about three feet because we needed space to anchor the vineyard supports. We used the substantial lava rocks for anchors drilling holes in the rock to fasten the supporting wires. I tugged on the first rock to move it about five feet. The lava rock is comparatively light, but it still was quite a job.
The bench is now moved, and the legs are resting on bricks.
The vertical supports are eight-foot iron fencing bars driven about two feet into the ground. The wire between the supports will keep the grapes growing vertically and allow us to espalier the branches along those wires. This does require a lot of selective trimming over the next few years.
A high-wire cordon training system consists of 1 to 3 wires, with the top wire strung between 4 and 6 feet above the ground. I should have driven the end post in at an angle, but with only ten grape plants, I decided to keep them upright.
Mary was asked, “Where do the priests go to get fresh and holy grapes?” I darted behind her precious Chardonnay vine and blurted out, “Off divine!” Within seconds, a bad of mulch flew by my head! Her aim is getting better!
The wine vineyards are now open.
We added a new grape to the collection! We found a Chardonnay grapevine at OC Farmers Supply. Chardonnay most likely originated in Italy and was then spread throughout France by the monks. The earliest recorded reference to Chardonnay occurs in 1330.
There will be no grapes this year but wait until next year; Mary will be running around barefoot, ready to stomp at a moment’s notice.
That grape plant will get a lot of TLC by YKW! I was not surprised when Mary put a tiny umbrella over her new plant and wrapped the leaves carefully in a small towel before we went to bed; she heard rain was in the forecast!
Chardonnay anyone?
I emptied two planter boxes and replaced the contents with potting soil, manure, Epsom salt, Azomite, and sand (over 25 pounds of sand per planter)! The soil is now perfect for planting seeds.
I remember planting some worry seeds earlier in my life. They’re a growing concern.
Did You Know? Kohlrabi is an excellent source of potassium, vitamin C, and fiber. Kohlrabi is related to cabbage, broccoli, kale, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. Kohlrabi’s name originated from the German words “kohl,” meaning cabbage, and “rube,” meaning turnip.
Plant height ranges from 25 to 40 centimeters (10 to 16 inches). The edible part of the Kohlrabi is an enlargement of a small portion of the above-ground stem. In shape, the swollen stem varies from nearly round to a flattened globe; in exterior color, from greenish white to reddish purple.
We planted radishes and Kohlrabi!
All parts of the Kohlrabi can be eaten, both raw and cooked. It is delicious steamed, sautéed, roasted, stuffed, creamed, in soup or stew, and eaten raw. Smaller Kohlrabi tastes sweeter; the vegetable develops a sharper, more radish-like flavor as it matures.
The seeds were a gift from Robin and Bob Duda the first time we grew them.
The sweetpeas get prettier every day and keep on blooming. We will plant pumpkins beneath the peas this week, hoping a jack-o-lantern will appear in about four months. Pumpkin carving is the only time it’s socially acceptable to play with your food.
The sweet peas are still going strong.
The sheds are great for regularly housing garden supplies and other items. Before the party, I plan to decorate the sheds with under-the-eves color-changing LED lights.
The sheds are getting more organized every day.
Scout was of zero help today; he found ways to be underfoot, plopping himself in our pathway to the back door. He appeared to be bored.
We are trying to teach him manners!
We finally told him to go next door and play with the neighborhood dogs, but we got a call saying Scout was not playing nice. He came home and told us what he had done!
I think we have failed in our training!
Yes, veggies are the primary vegetation, but colorful flowers and herbs are also the house’s mainstay.
We love the colors.
Did You Know? It was originally a native of South Africa, where more than 250 wild plant species still grow. The first geraniums did not come to Europe until the 17th century. The leaves and flowers of scented geraniums are edible. Thanks to their leaves’ essential oils, they lend both decorative touches and a pleasing aroma to meat dishes, salads, and desserts.
Varieties with a lemon aroma add zest to salads, sorbets, or tea. Rose geraniums lend a sophisticated note to puddings, cakes, jams, or desserts. Those with a peppermint scent are a delicious addition to homemade lemonade.
Fire engine red.
Oh, we can’t forget to mention the roses! I bought my wife 12 dozen red roses, but I don’t think she likes them. She said that’s gross.
Did You know? Strictly speaking, roses do not have thorns; they have prickles.
Such a beautiful creation of nature.
It was time to quit working, so Mary headed for the kitchen to prepare a wonderful meal, complete with corn on the cob. We had a mixture of Fava beans and roaster Fennell with cheese ravioli while we watched “Clear and Present Danger,” an oldie but goodie.
We were out like a light by 9:30 pm. The garden takes a lot of work. At 11:00 pm, the sound of water awakened me; the weatherman was right, the downpour started.
I thought to myself, you never see owls being amorous in the rain. It’s too wet to woo.
