The broccolis are getting huge, and they have started to set heads.  It is so exciting.

 

Believe me when I tell you I check them every day.

 

Mostly, we're checking for worms, but we do it every day.  Cabbage white butterflies lay their eggs on the underside of the leaves, and when the caterpillars emerge they start eating.  See those little holes in the leaves?  That's where we start looking for the worms, and usually find a few.  Every day!!!

 

It's easy enough, we only have 6 cabbages, 6 broccoli, and 6 cauliflowers.  Oh yeah, they go after the kale too.  Well, it's worth it to check and pick them off, because they can devour it all in very little time.  So we just do it.  Sweet rewards in the end.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

Look!!!  My cabbages are forming heads.  I bought a 6 pack of seedlings and planted them back in March.  I was afraid that I waited too late to plant seeds for cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower.  So I bought 6 packs.  

 

I go out and look at them everyday.  Sometimes more than once.  I love seeing how fast they change and grow.  

 

We should have cabbage for cole slaw by July 4th.  I think our recipe is in the recipe section;  it's under Vegetables, and called Asian Cole Slaw.  You can use store bought cabbage if you must, or check the farmers market, it should be available soon. 

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!

 

We hated to take down the flag and soldiers, but it's a new month. And it's almost summer.  Time for something festive.

 

I hope it makes you smile.

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!

 

We have been seeing the Scarlet Tanager for the last week.  Today I saw him in the yard, and got his picture.  I guess they are ground feeders.  

 

I hope Gizmo doesn't see him.  

 

HAPPY BIRDING!!!

 

 

 

Queen Anne's Lace is blooming.  It's blooming in the meadows, and here in my arugula bed!!!

 

It is called Wild Carrot, because the first year the roots are edible.  I'm telling you, they are really tiny and really dirty, and carrots in the grocery cost less than a dollar a pound.  Don't want to admit my laziness, but....you get my drift.  The second year, it blooms.  That's when it is spectacular.

 

They are in the same family as parsley, carrot, celery, dill, fennel.  The greens are edible, even though they don't have much flavor.  But they taste a little like parsley.    I just love knowing what we can add it to our salads.

 

This picture doesn't show you the greens;  those leaves you see are Echinacea.  The Queen Anne's Lace leaves are feathery, like carrots.  

But, aren't the flowers beautiful?

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

The Elders are blooming in our neighborhood.  We've seen one on Stonebriar coming up Clifford's hill, and this one near Bellavista.  They are both beautiful.  And we can see them up close.

 

There are a whole bunch on the hillside as you approach the WalMart in Blairsville.  They are really pretty too, from a distance.  

 

Some people make wine using the flowers.  Never had it.  We like to wait for the berries, then dry them and add them to our tea.  

 

I hope you get to see some Elder bushes in your travels.  When you do see them, think of me and smile.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

And the apple trees are loaded too.  Now we just have to keep the deer and the squirrels from helping themselves.  

 

We don't mind sharing some, but they tend to take all.  Oh, and the pear tree has ONE pear on it.  ;P

 

Even still, I love our gardens!!!

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

It looks like we are going to have peaches this year.  The trees are full of them.  

 

We were a little concerned that those two cold days in March damaged the blooms, but they are fine.

 

Not so with the blueberries.  They got zapped by the cold.  Oh well, next year...

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

This year the Ox-eye Daisies have taken over our old garden.  They are SO pretty, we can't weed them out.  

 

They stand about 2 feet tall, and tickle my legs when I walk through them.  

 

Fine, they can stay there, as long as they don't encroach on my squashes.  

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

Great picture Mark!!!  I can't believe how he posed for you, after having bit you.  Like you said, probably showing off.  Glad you're OK.

 

This is a Copperhead in Five Forks.  See the water box?  Yeah, well, I have it on good authority that you shouldn't stick your hand in there.  I also know that you should be really careful around leaf piles, and bushes, especially when you've been away for a while.

 

OK, now for a little ID.  I've never seen one, and hope I only see pictures, but you can identify a copperhead by the milk chocolate kisses along the body.  See them? And look at the size of that triangular head!!  

 

Be careful out there; gardening can be hazardous to your health.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!