We finally received actual rain (read: more than a twenty minute spritz) for the first time in a month, and the world smells like pollen. Our “tropical” fruits, hardy kiwi and maypop (passion fruit), have put on feet of new growth as a result and are filling out their support trellis, which is very exciting.
I’m heading out in just a little bit to attend a walk’n’talk at a nearby orchard - our county extension office is hosting the event to discuss some of the climate risk mitigation strategies the orchard has been leveraging for a few years now. This afternoon some folks we know from the library are coming over to harvest flowers to supply an art project for the kids in town.
What’s growing on with you all?
Hello Lally! I’m pleased to report that my peppers are mostly going strong, and wife was able to make the most delicious enchilada sauce with poblanos, cayennes, and anaheims mixed in. It was so rewarding to get to eat something made from scratch that was covered in sauce (also made from scratch!) from stuff I grew myself! Unfortunately, some have succumbed to what appears to be blossom end rot, but I’ve saved a lot of egg shells and am going to get to work on that. Even more unfortunate, my bell pepper plant seems to have shirked its mortal coil. I’m not sure if it was due to the heat or lack of watering, but I came out one day and it was gone. Pour one out for my bell pepper, that thing lived a few years and survived a move. Life is but a dream, we shall have more peppers <3
I’m not 100% what’s going on with my pumpkins, but the remaining two that haven’t succumbed to the heat are doing great. One has really taken off and is making friends with my asparagus fern I saved from Kroger last year. However, it seems that with both, the male flowers open up but I never see the female do her thing, so I haven’t been able to pollinate them. But, like I say every time I post these updates, I’m just along for the ride and am having fun on my balcony. But a teeny pumpkin would be neat!
Herbs are looking pretty good! My two potted mint plants are still kicking ass, though that’s not really anything to shake a stick at lol they grow like weeds. The oregano got a little heat damaged, but it’s not in direct sunlight for very long now that I’ve moved it. Rosemary’s looking good too, nothing much to say there. Can’t say the same about her baby though, that kid’s the end of the world (ba-dum-tiss). My basil is a bit meh, but it’s just a starter, and I’ve heard they’re not necessarily intended to last long, so I’m not too caught up in that.
I’m pleased that the kale and microgreens I sowed are doing well too. Most of the things I planted from seed didn’t last due to the heat, due to me being an amateur and doing it outside, but I’m able to add fresh kale and who-knows-what to salads and wraps, and that’s awesome. I also have one catnip that managed to make it, and one day it could be a huge catnip bush like its older sibling. That one’s just a starter plant, but it’s really taken off, and my cats love it. I decorate the kitchen with the flowers :)
I’m so glad to hear how well things are doing! Here’s hoping those female flowers will be open for you soon so they can be pollinated - doing it by hand is still fun when it’s just a few plants, and I really want that for you.
The throwaway joke had me laughing, as that’s one of the movies I’m just not allowed to watch around my wife for the near future. The Alien franchise is another one that’s verboten in our house for the time being…