THE Update Post

The simplest way to keep this blog clean and organized for later reference is to keep one evolving page per plant or issue, so this post will always be the most recent.

5/16/09: Updated photos for lots of things! Radishes,

5/12/09: New Pest activity... I have a caterpillar pet.

5/2/09: There was new Pest activity on Beltane... caterpillars on the radishes, and a beneficial wasp on the aphids. 2 pictures, and help me identify the caterpillar! Also added a picture of the radish bin on the Radish page.

4/26/09: Alphabetized everything, so the posts on the side show up in an easier-to-navigate manner. Added Diary page, which will always be directly below this Update Post. View of the Porch - Added a new page to show wider views of the porch. Rosemary - Added a new page for the new addition. Sage - a photo. Shepherd's Purse - a photo. Pest control - More aphid musings.

4/25/09: Tools & Toys - Added photo and news of the shepherd's hook and hummingbird feeder.

4/24/09: Mint - Added a surprising progress photo of the chocolate mint.

4/20/09: Everything updated (or created, whichever term you prefer)

Diary

2/26/09
Since I tasted the nasturtiums a few days ago (they taste almost exactly like spicy watercress, but hotter! Mmmm), I've been munching things daily. A little mint here, a little thyme there, and pinches of lentil sprouts every time I pass the kitchen... the hippie within is a little giddy.

Basil

Summerlong Basil is supposed to give the biggest harvest for the longest time, which is why I chose it.

Rumor has it that if you plant basil with other things, the oils will kill most other herbs... originally it was intended for the wine barrel, but I ended up potting it separately as a precaution. The sprouting rate was horrible, only 3 out of a semi-generous sprinkle popped up. I placed the basil nearest the tomato for emotional support... rumor also has it that they are companion plants, with the basil protecting the tomato from pests.

This seedling is a 4th of an inch long.

5/16/09: In a month, the thing has only grown to 2 inches tall... those leaves are super small. I kinda figured the leaves would be, you know, more basil-sized! It smells really great though.

Chickweed

Chickweed is an edible groundcover type of herb that tastes like spinach and grows profusely at my parents' house in spring... having it on the back porch would be like a taste of home. It is a mild diuretic and appetite suppressant, and would probably look awesome in a hanging basket.

I started this one indoors at first due to impatience while I was lacking potting soil, but they sprouted very quickly and look spindly and weak. Next time I'd plant them directly to soil outside.

Will plant more when I get more soil!

Chives

Mmmmm, Garlic chives.

I'm planting these too close together... me, thin to 12"?? It grows in clumps in the wild anyway. The seedlings are very easy to identify, and usually have the black seed coat still attached when they emerge.

These took a long time to sprout, almost 3 weeks.

Cilantro/Coriander

I had no idea that cilantro and coriander were the same thing!

Due to planting the entire seed pods, the cilantro's coming up in small clumps... though the packet says to thin them to 12 inches, I am leaving many together as I've seen in photos from gardens where the patch is frequently harvested.

Here are the seedlings at 4 weeks and 2 inches high... finally looking like cilantro!

Dandelion

Growing wild dandelion in a pot seems a little scandalous, but I love the bitter leaves and can never seem to find any in the store or outside in places where there aren't pesticides.