Yesterday, hotter than hell, I wrote a long entry about the current state of my garden when we had a most abrupt and long lasting power outage...threw my whole watering schedule off since none of the drippers went on time, and if they did, there was no water going thru the lines.
today at 4:21 it is only 103o, better than yesterday's reported 110o, but really you get over 100 and it is just miserable combined with the high humidity down here by the creek and the pervasive stench of the blue green algae which is going nowhere now as the dam is closed.
Really, gardening and life on the creek can be a challenge. I haven't written for more than a week as my dog had an accident and has been suffering and pretty immobile though she seems to be on the mend now. Hard to tell with an 111/2 year old 88 lb dog...in this heat she isn't moving much, but still eats and drinks with gusto.
The garden is mostly a matter of watering, deadheading, pruning back stuff and trying to find morning cool time to do it in. This heat is just deadly for working out there...Later in the evenings works but I am not always home then. Makes me wonder what I am thinking of to more than double the size of my yard, but that is another blog that will start up in one week.
Current status of plants:
Veggies: Cukes are growing fruit as are tomatoes but nothing ripe yet. I have one eggplant, long asian, and one padron pepper. NOTHING on the zucchini...still no female flowers on any of the plants. The Brandywine has finally set some tiny fruit and my sweet 100s are starting to be ready to eat.
Fruit...a good crop on the Bartlett pear tree, lots of figs, ate my first two this morning in the yard, and lots and lots of grapes are starting to get color. I learned last year to wait a long time to eat those purple ones, they just get sweeter and sweeter...so delicious.
Flowers: Roses, are doing great, esp. the icebergs...ha ha. Dahlias are huge but not lasting in this blistering heat, Canna's are coming along in different places, and my zinnias while huge water hogs are looking good.
It is actually too hot to sit here and do this...I am just out of range of the ceiling fan and am going back under it. The notebook comp. would be too hot to handle on my lap, so ending this post.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Stalking the blue green algae
I was happy to see the night herons arrive as I have had such a time trying to photograph them this year. There are several just waiting for all the little fish trapped by the algae...at least that is my theory.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Heron & egret fishing the blue green algae
The stumps protruding out of Cache Creek provides the perfect spot for the opportunistic flocks of night herons and egrets that are decending on the creek these past two days. It is really wonderful to see them. Wish I had a camera that could capture what I see with my binoculars. Pretty amazing stuff. Because of the algae, on a Friday night, instead of a lot of partying, I had the creek to myself and the birds stayed put. Except when they dove in for the fish. I haven't seen any dead fish yet, but the fish must be right near the surface as the birds seem to just pluck them out, and swallow them.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Hunting Egret Cache Creek
I have never seen so many egrets right across the creek from my house. But then I have never seen Cache Creek almost bank to bank with thick thick mats of blue green algae. It is really becoming unbelieveable but one can get used to anything, even if it smells like this.
If there are this many opportunistic birds of all kinds down here, I wonder what in the world it must be like down at the dam! A few minutes ago, I counted at least five egrets, three great blue herons, many small birds all enjoying whatever bounty they can capture in these mats.
I will be going near the state park tonight, and I bet the water there is clear compared to this end of the lake. Location, location,location as they say!
Of course this is perfect for this blog given it's name. I hope they are hunting there tomorrow when the light is better. I will miss them this evening.
If there are this many opportunistic birds of all kinds down here, I wonder what in the world it must be like down at the dam! A few minutes ago, I counted at least five egrets, three great blue herons, many small birds all enjoying whatever bounty they can capture in these mats.
I will be going near the state park tonight, and I bet the water there is clear compared to this end of the lake. Location, location,location as they say!
Of course this is perfect for this blog given it's name. I hope they are hunting there tomorrow when the light is better. I will miss them this evening.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Flowers in the vegetable garden
Today it is supposed to be 106o...I hope that is not the case, but out where these flowers are in the full sun, in boxes on the hot hot gravel, it might be a reality.
I tried to make sure that there was supplemental water for them...when it is this hot, the drippers don't always provide enough water for plants in giant containers.
At 1:09, it is 93o in the shade.
I tried to make sure that there was supplemental water for them...when it is this hot, the drippers don't always provide enough water for plants in giant containers.
At 1:09, it is 93o in the shade.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Blue Green Algae on the move
Blue Green Algae on the move
Originally uploaded by Rexfree_99
It will pass on to Yolo County, but in the meantime, it is a burden for all of us who depend on the lake for tourism, recreation or irrigation.
Just remember that it is a natural occurrence and that people are working to control runoff and other issues that contribute to these large blooms.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Italian heirloom tomato from Genoa, Costoluto
I chose this tomato plant to celebrate the fact that my family came originally from Liguria and considered themselves to be Genovese. It certainly is an odd shape. It is pear shaped but deeply ridged. This is still only thumb size, but growing rapidly. It will probably start to ripen along with the Black Cherokee Heirloom. The Brandywine still hasn't set fruit!
Tonight I will make pasta con pesto with some of my own basil, some that came in my coop box and some from plants I just bought at Trader Joe's. It will be delicious with potatoes and stringbeans also from the coop...everything but the pasta and Reggiano Parmesano comes from Lake County.
Well, the salt comes from Germany, a recent gift from traveling friends.
Tonight I will make pasta con pesto with some of my own basil, some that came in my coop box and some from plants I just bought at Trader Joe's. It will be delicious with potatoes and stringbeans also from the coop...everything but the pasta and Reggiano Parmesano comes from Lake County.
Well, the salt comes from Germany, a recent gift from traveling friends.
Male & Female squash flowers from California Master Gardener Handbook
Male & Female squash flowers from California Master Gardener Handbook
Originally uploaded by Rexfree_99
Male Flower
And another photo that won't rotate. Still the photo shows that this is a male flower with the long stem. Apparently I don't yet have any female flowers yet. I check each morning early and find lots of blossoms on long slender stems, many bees and no female flowers.
A great resource for gardener's in California is their local Master Gardener office usually to be found in office of the UC Farm Advisor, even in urban areas. The California Master Gardener Handbook which is received as part of the training to become a Master Gardener is a wonderful resource. It is published by the University of California, agriculture and Natural Resources, Publication 3382. The price is probably close to $90 but very much something to consider.
A great resource for gardener's in California is their local Master Gardener office usually to be found in office of the UC Farm Advisor, even in urban areas. The California Master Gardener Handbook which is received as part of the training to become a Master Gardener is a wonderful resource. It is published by the University of California, agriculture and Natural Resources, Publication 3382. The price is probably close to $90 but very much something to consider.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Summer's Rose
The garden has been wildly busy this past week with new flushes of roses, like this, as well as a real burst of Dahlias, both yellow and pink. At least one of the new ones looks like it might bloom soon and hopefully won't be pink or yellow. Need a change in color.
The tomatoes are setting fruit, except for the Brandywine...nothing that I can spot at all. I can't see any peppers, eggplant, zucchini or cukes ;yet, but hopefully within days I will have something from all four. The sweet 100's are turning red, slowly though. Our weather has taken another turn to the cool side. Not unwelcome, I can tell you that! I have been able to spend more time in the yard instead of writing about it!
The Chrysanthemums are all starting to bloom as well, the small summer type in a wide variety of colors. Even the wisteria is having a second bloom, quite extensive too.
The pear tree has stopped self-thinning, and looks like I will have another bumper crop. My neighbor's apricot tree has a lot of almost ripe fruit on it. I hope to have more to report about soon.
The tomatoes are setting fruit, except for the Brandywine...nothing that I can spot at all. I can't see any peppers, eggplant, zucchini or cukes ;yet, but hopefully within days I will have something from all four. The sweet 100's are turning red, slowly though. Our weather has taken another turn to the cool side. Not unwelcome, I can tell you that! I have been able to spend more time in the yard instead of writing about it!
The Chrysanthemums are all starting to bloom as well, the small summer type in a wide variety of colors. Even the wisteria is having a second bloom, quite extensive too.
The pear tree has stopped self-thinning, and looks like I will have another bumper crop. My neighbor's apricot tree has a lot of almost ripe fruit on it. I hope to have more to report about soon.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Zucchini Blossom, First of the year!
Now to wait and see if fruit sets. Every year I forget which kind of blossom is the one that fruits. I could look it up, but not today!
Happy 5th of July!
This beauty greeted me this morning, an explosion of orange with red red pistil and stamens. Very beautiful.
Actually the whole garden decided to put on a show this morning, with Dahlias blooming, as well as huge zucchini blossoms. I am craving the first of my own zucchini. I hope this isn't one of those years when it doesn't set.
The weather has really moderated today. Yesterday at this time it was 95o in the shade by the studio, and today it is only 85o. Very pleasant change with a nice breeze.
Actually getting ready to work out in the sun...it is possible when the temps and conditions are like this!
Actually the whole garden decided to put on a show this morning, with Dahlias blooming, as well as huge zucchini blossoms. I am craving the first of my own zucchini. I hope this isn't one of those years when it doesn't set.
The weather has really moderated today. Yesterday at this time it was 95o in the shade by the studio, and today it is only 85o. Very pleasant change with a nice breeze.
Actually getting ready to work out in the sun...it is possible when the temps and conditions are like this!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Pulling the Chard
In 90o weather I finally decided to do the deed. At least last night I had the foresight to thoroughly soak the soil in preparation.
For some time now, I have been cutting back the chard which was bolting, infested with aphids and ants and just generally nasty. But no matter how much I chopped and whacked, it just kept relentlessly sending up infested shoots.
I have never seen anything quite like this...at first I thought it was mostly the red chard, but the yellow, white you name it chard all did the same thing. I also had hoped that the hot hot weather would see an end to the aphids and then the ants, but no!!! The ants became more agressive and bold. To reach into the bed to check on the squash or pepper, or eggplant was to recoil with ants racing up and down one's limbs! Yikes, not very pleasant.
so yesterday I started yanking out the chard. It was amazing how root bound they were, more than just j-root, but really contorted. Pretty fascinating actually, in very bright colors, depending on the chard.
And now they are all in the compost heap!
The other major ant infestation is on my little lemon tree where the ants are tending the scale. No matter how often I remove it, it comes right back with the ants in attendance. Really aggressive though non-biting at least. Still unpleasant. There are so many of them and only one of me!
For some time now, I have been cutting back the chard which was bolting, infested with aphids and ants and just generally nasty. But no matter how much I chopped and whacked, it just kept relentlessly sending up infested shoots.
I have never seen anything quite like this...at first I thought it was mostly the red chard, but the yellow, white you name it chard all did the same thing. I also had hoped that the hot hot weather would see an end to the aphids and then the ants, but no!!! The ants became more agressive and bold. To reach into the bed to check on the squash or pepper, or eggplant was to recoil with ants racing up and down one's limbs! Yikes, not very pleasant.
so yesterday I started yanking out the chard. It was amazing how root bound they were, more than just j-root, but really contorted. Pretty fascinating actually, in very bright colors, depending on the chard.
And now they are all in the compost heap!
The other major ant infestation is on my little lemon tree where the ants are tending the scale. No matter how often I remove it, it comes right back with the ants in attendance. Really aggressive though non-biting at least. Still unpleasant. There are so many of them and only one of me!
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