Garden Friday

 

Welcome to Garden Friday,

where we share what's happening on our Piedmont Homestead.

We had a spectacular sunset this past week

and it made me so grateful for my working eyes.

 

In the garden, we are gearing up for fall planting.

There is some lettuce growing,

which was started earlier this summer,

but I've left it mostly for the chooks,

as it quickly turned bitter.

Thankfully, they don't seem to mind.

Several lettuce varieties will soon be started from seed.

 

The red ripper beans are coming on.

These are left on the vines to dry and use for cooking.

It never ceases to amaze me what comes from planting one seed.

 

The Piggot peas and cukes are nestled in their bed,

where they will remain covered to dissuade squirrels 

from digging them up.

This is the first time I've grown these peas,

but I'm always willing to try something new.

 

The Seminole pumpkins were transplanted this week.

This is the first time I've tried this crop as well,

and I'm not sure I have the timing quite right.

I haven't had much success growing squash

and have pretty much given up on it,

but this variety is supposed to be resistant 

to the squash vine borer.

new to me caterpillar

 

The elderberries are here,

and although there probably won't be enough to harvest,

I'm happy to share them with the birds.

 

The morning glory seems quite content 

growing on the fencing of the compost  pile.

 

The loofah is climbing our trellis in the chook run,

providing them with needed shade.

We have flowers, but no fruit yet,

but with the ongoing heat and humidity,

it won't be long.

 

 If you've read this blog for any length of time,

you know I enjoy thrifting materials

and repurposing them for other uses.

These bundt pans have been used for feeding,

turned right-side up,

but this week I tried something new.

I stuck cabbage and corn in the hole on the bottom.

 

It was a hit!

Jubilee

 

Amazing work

 

The baby wrens fledged this week 

under the most horrendous of conditions!

This was the first lil' one out of the birdhouse on the porch.

Its siblings took the rest of the day to emerge.

 

We had a tremendous wind and rain event,

and that's when they decided it was time to venture out.

It must mean they are going to be very hearty birds!

 

The butterflies have been increasing in numbers

 

and types.

No monarchs yet, but with August rolling around,

it should be soon.

 Some of the girls are molting,

which I think is great timing on their part!

Poor Ruby looks a sight,

but I'll bet she is a bit cooler than some of the others.

No doubt she will look brand new in a few weeks' time.

Summer is waning and we are getting a bit more rain,

for which I'm grateful.

It means less time watering,

and more time enjoying the beautiful cut flowers inside.

Gardening is a blessing.