Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Powdery mildew experiment

I'm first time gardener and everything is new to me. 


For example - powdery mildew. I have some cuces on a very sunny spot on my deck, I thought I can be the perfect place for them, yes they're starting to grow very nice little cuces, but
those white spots!


Cuces in a more shady garden do not have those problems.
I guess it is powdery mildew. So today, may be late, I began an experiment - I mixed 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp dish liquid, 1 tbsp fish emulsion in a water and sprayed the leaves on top and bottom.
Let's see....

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

First pumpkin and hummingbird

Today I wanted to share my first pumpkin growing and when I was working with photos I saw a green hummingbird coming to check it! 
There is my mixed pot next to a garage. There are begonia, geranium, pumpkin small sugar and some pink wild flowers.  Those wild flowers are very attractive to bees and as I see to hummingbirds.
It is very hard to make a clear picture through the window!
Here I can see the red neck - 
 so probably this is Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
And this is a pumpkin's photo I wanted to share! 
Is is a size of a tennis ball now!











Thursday, June 14, 2012

What's wrong with my garlic?

My first time of growing garlic here. Yes, it was store bought garlic, and I planted it in December, may be too late,

The plants were pretty happy before and now the stacks are thin and laying on the ground, some leaves are yellow, but there is no sign of big disease. I checked the bulbs, they are deep, small but look good.
My be it was not the right garlic to plant?
There is no scapes, I know not every garlic develop scapes.
There was a lot of rain this month.....
Any suggestions? Thank you!

And there is other news from my garden

Today our turtle was coming to visit - she is coming every year to lay eggs on my front yard!
It is very funny, first my husband took her back to the forest and it is about 50 yards!



 And she came back the next day, probably was going the whole night. Than we left her alone and she was trying to lay eggs every year. Last fall I even found a little one in a leaf pile!
My cat is looking at her.











 Roses!
 Bees are coming too, not only turtles.
 Hydrangea flowers are small now,  but the whole bush will be very big this year. I guess I need to add more sulfur.

Good Luck to You and Your gardens!




Thursday, June 7, 2012

Bee Balm Tea

Today I was harvesting bee balm leaves. Bee Balm has many different names - Bergamot, Wild Oswego Tea, Horsemint, Monard. 

It is very nice when blooming, but as I have seen last years, the leaves are developing some king of fungi disease very soon. 
So I decided to get some leaves and dry them to enjoy bee balm tea in winter.
The fresh or dried leaves can be brewed into a refreshing aromatic and medicinal tea. Bergamot tea is improving general digestion, easing flatulence, improving appetite, relieving colic, reducing bloating, alleviating menstrual cramping, and reducing nausea and vomiting.



And more! 
I am reading and reading and wanted I have more Bergamot plants! 
Join Robin over at The Gardener of Eden for more garden preserving and cooking.