So, we've taken up gardening and man am I in love. There is nothing better than waking up every morning and sneaking around looking for new blooms or veggies! So the question is, do we have the infamous "green thumbs"? Well... let's just say we're beginners, and we're learning. So far it's been hit or miss but overall I say, not bad!
We started with a wicked bunch of lettuce and munched that until the heat of summer and the attack of the aphids came. We tried battling the natural way, soapy water and ladybugs. The ladybugs were awesome until they up and flew away or got nabbed by the pajaros.
Our second pest was the terrible cabbage worm, aka the white mouth offspring. They have just about totaled our cabbage with holes all over, and we thought about BT but then decided a) perhaps it was too late, and b) we really don't want any chemicals at all, even if they claim to be "organic!" So routinely I go out there and pick them off and they go squish in my fingers, or if they are big enough they get fed without qualms to the pajaros! Like this guy down here.
Another trick we learned was not to buy plants that are already going to seed. I never even knew that term existed or what it meant 'til this year.
Here are some of the joys we are reaping.... starting with beautiful sunflowers that attract LOTS of bees!
Bought this thinking it was a larkspur,
a new favorite Matt brought home after a run on the ditch.
We let the few carrots that came up flower to attract beneficial insects.
Our first red tomatoes!
The zucchini is getting pretty big with lots of buds so we're hoping one starts growing soon.
BIG JIM green chile!!!
Our first two big broccoli heads that were delishous! Unfortunately, most of the rest must have got zapped by the heat as they are turning brown and getting bitter.
A look at the garden.
Matt put up this fancy dancy shade structure and now our back yard is the place to be!
Aside from gardening, we continue to enjoy life's simple pleasures and find the beauty even in tragic scenes. The next shots are affected from the huge Arizona fire that fills our skies daily, some more intense than others.
And of course, we love our animals! Here's bagheera (dog) and snooks (cat) being ever so adorable. Don't you feel warm and fuzzy inside???
Last, but never least, we were blessed with 3 days in a row of seeing owls down at Matt's parents house. Here's a fledgling trying to get up in the tree, and a parent owl. We think they are western screech owls. Life is beautiful.
