The Garden Center

[Cassia]

Most keen gardeners know that many plants conduct chemical warfare (allelopathy) against their potential neighbors. The plant kingdom is just as fascinating as (us) animals. Did you know that the slimy substance surrounding tomato seeds is a germination retardant? After all, a warm moist place like the inside of a tomato would be perfect for germination. And the mother plant doesn't want that, LOL.

[Mike Cl]

Most keen gardeners know that many plants conduct chemical warfare (allelopathy) against their potential neighbors. The plant kingdom is just as fascinating as (us) animals. Did you know that the slimy substance surrounding tomato seeds is a germination retardant? After all, a warm moist place like the inside of a tomato would be perfect for germination. And the mother plant doesn't want that, LOL.

I quite agree--plants are much more interesting than I had thought.  I was blown away when I learned that the trees giraffe's feed on send chemical signals to neighboring trees which then exude a chemical that giraffe's don't like.  And that mushrooms (are they really plants????) send signals along their huge underground networks that keep the forest healther.  Apparently the plant kingdom is much more 'intelligent' and feeling than we had imagined. 

[Unbeliever]

And that mushrooms (are they really plants????)

I think mushrooms are fungi, which is a separate kingdom from that of plants.

[the_antithesis]

They are fungi which is why they get invited to all the best parties.

[the_antithesis]

[Cassia]

Walking in the garden with my nephew. There was this extra big Marconi pepper I had been eyeing, waiting for it to turn full red. Next thing I hear is "CHOMP, mmmm, want a bite?" LOL. The peppers, they got beat-up in the hurricane, but that stress triggered them to set fruit early.

I got some carrots, onions, beets, and lettuce seed started this week. I see some tomatoes and an avocado tree sprouted from our compost pile. I love those little surprises. Fresh rosemary, thyme, basils, oregano, and dill all bringing joy to 'la cucina'. 

[Cassia]

We had a "warm salad" for lunch. It is kinda cool today, like 60 Deg. Picked some sweet peppers, fresh dill, Malabar spinach and purple basil from the garden. Sautéed some onions with the pepper and spinach in garlic infused olive oil and then poured it over romaine and sprinkled a bit of balsamic vinegar. A few chopped walnuts and wow, glad I made a big bowl of it. One benefit of hurricanes (LOL) is it seems to have blown the insects away. I see very little insect pressure so far and I don't use any insecticides.

One of the best benefits of gardening is being able to grow and eat things that simply are not otherwise available. Malabar spinach grows like weeds down here:

[Cassia]

You tasted better than you looked, you Italian sweet Marconi.

[Mike Cl]

The current weather/climate in my area is crazy.  I have two myers lemon trees that don't quite know what to do.  One tree has buds that usually happen in the spring, but no lemons.  The other has both, buds and lemons.  The large (30 ft) regular lemon has both buds and probably 100 lemons on it.  The Iris is sprouting.  A couple of roses just put out a new batch of buds with a couple of flowers.  It's like the plants are confused--they don't know if it's winter or spring.  It just occurred to me that maybe the current growing zone is in the process of changing for good--have to look into it.  If that is the case, then a large part of CA will be impacted and not for the good.

[Cassia]

The current weather/climate in my area is crazy.  I have two myers lemon trees that don't quite know what to do.  One tree has buds that usually happen in the spring, but no lemons.  The other has both, buds and lemons.  The large (30 ft) regular lemon has both buds and probably 100 lemons on it.  The Iris is sprouting.  A couple of roses just put out a new batch of buds with a couple of flowers.  It's like the plants are confused--they don't know if it's winter or spring.  It just occurred to me that maybe the current growing zone is in the process of changing for good--have to look into it.  If that is the case, then a large part of CA will be impacted and not for the good.

Yep, our spring/early summer plants like tomatoes and peppers that usually suffer by now are thriving and giving us a 2nd round, but the winter garden looks like a bust so far. Carrots and radish and lettuce look sad. In fact, I decided to just start over and replant in January. The birds are confused too. A bunch of species got here early after an unusual dip in the mercury but now they are gone. All our citrus has the killer disease now, so we just harvested the last orange we will ever get unless they find a solution for Florida. All the grooves are shutting down.

[Cassia]

With a big freeze hitting us down south, I ran out into the garden to salvage anything I could. I give you the world's smallest pumpkin🎃. It was hidden in a patch of brown grass. We are gonna cook it nevertheless. We dragged some tomatoes and peppers that were in pots into the barn. Not sure they will make it, but if they do it will be a nice head start for next year.

[Cassia]

It is about equal to the peak of Fall (up-North) this far south right now. The leaves have fallen with nights in the 50s/60s and days in the low 70s. Look how that swamp bay tree has engulfed that concrete tiki. I should paint that ting all colourful mon.

[Cassia]

Harvesting from garden is a daily thing right now. To kick up a salad, I scissor-off from a bed of young greens (started from "basic salad mix" seeds ordered from https://www.trueleafmarket.com/, love that site) and they grow right back! The cherry tomatoes are a little pop of tartness (pop-tarts?).