Bountiful Harvest Larry

Busy weekend with the grand kids staying with us and tickets to Westside Story this afternoon, so only getting things done in the yard sporadically.

Larry spent the day harvesting the bounty of the garden and here he is showing off the results of his hard labor.  Not sure how he managed to grow Jack 'o Lanterns, but the proof is in his basket.

Meanwhile, I got the shell of the 6-unit bird house built and half the roof done; hopefully I'll have time to finish it tomorrow before we take the grand kids to the movies.  Also have some mums and petunias to plant to add some fall color to the yard.  Saw an avocado tree at HD today that I may have to buy for the back yard.

It came as quite a surprise last night, but Larry's cousin Henry showed up unannounced for a brief visit.  Seems his girlfriend left him because he's such a blockhead and he decided to travel and try to "find himself". Before he left, he posed for a photo with his creator, Morgan and her brother Logan.

Outdoor sink is finished!

Had some running around to do after work, looking for stuff for Larry's Halloween costume, buying supplies to finish the sink, grocery shopping, etc., so I just now finished the soaking sink.  Bird houses will have to wait for tomorrow.  I think the sink base came out pretty well and as it weathers, it'll look even better.  Did have time to order 10 varieties of chiles from New Mexico State University's Chile Pepper Institute. so I'll have to get working on the salsa garden pretty soon.

Outdoor sink

 

 
After work today, I started working on my outdoor soak sink for soaking potted plants and cleaning up garden tools.  The sink is the laundry sink I mentioned in a previous post and measures 13"x16"x12", which is perfect for even the largest plants that are still in their plastic nursery pots awaiting transplant.  I built a base out of 2" x 3" pine that the sink drops into and is 36" high for easier access.  Got the drain installed and started cladding the sides with old fence slats.  Tomorrow I'll finish the cladding and build a door for the front to hide the bucket the sink drains into, then I'll stain the new wood gray to match it somewhat with the reclaimed wood.  The remaining fence wood will be used to make a birdhouse or two.

103, Again!

Just when it looked like the heat was done for the year, back it comes; 103 today.  Watered the yard and took the form off the concrete lamppost base I poured on Saturday; only one more left to go.  Found some imitation slate roof tiles at the reuse-it center and am adding Sedona Red stain to give it more depth, as slate is rarely just one color.  Once they're dry, I'll use construction adhesive to glue the pieces to the lamppost bases.  Also started building a base for the laundry room sink I found at the reuse-it center; I'll use it to soak potted plants and will drain the excess water into a bucket so I don't waste water.

Grapevine bowl

Well, another nice day weather-wise and I got the tomatoes cut back, planted Kentucky Wonder Pole Beans, took down the gate that I'll be replacing with a much nicer one and saved the wood to make birdhouses.  Trimmed the grapevines in preparation for making a grapevine basket, then after dinner (turkey meatballs and spaghetti, with fresh basil and leeks from the garden), I started weaving the basket and wound up with a bowl instead, as I messed up the handles.  Think I'll use it as a planter, or maybe a fruit bowl center piece.

Back to the garden

Finally, the heat wave is over and daytime highs are in the 90's. Got out, deadheaded the roses and removed the dead peppers and green beans.  Pruned the grapevines and tomorrow I'll attempt my first grapevine basket (pics to follow).  Also seeded some peppers, but can't remember which type I saved the seeds from, so if they grow, then I'll know.  Will harvest a leek to two tomorrow to go with dinner and then trim the Roma tomatoes back in anticipation of new growth and a second crop.  Also planning on reseeding the green beans and staking the pepper plants that survived the heat, as they're getting top-heavy.

The Stapelia gigantea bloomed again this year, so far only one, but expect more as the weather starts to cool.  It takes several days for the buds to open and the flower lasts for 2-4 afterwards.  This particular species doesn't have any fragrance to speak of, but some Stapelias have a decidedly rotten scent, so I guess I should count my blessings.

 

I'm back!!!

After enduring 3 weeks of 110+ temps, having a wedding and a 1st birthday 2 days apart and suffering through the flu, it's finally cool and calm enough to get back into the yard.  Looks like I lost several plants to the heat, including a couple of citrus trees, the dahlias, and most of the seedlings I'd started.  On the bright side, the okra is getting along nicely, the roses all look little worse for wear and 3 out of 4 of the Cannas made it.

It's now September and while my thoughts are turning to my winter garden full of veggies and blooms, Larry, like many men from coast to coast, is preparing for a different ritual of Fall. No not football, but tracking elusive prey in the great outdoors.  That's right, it's American Sportsman Larry, out in the field looking for game.  Chuck's decided the safest perch is on top of Larry's head, and it also gives him a front row seat to the action.

Heading to Houston tomorrow for work and when I get back on Wednesday, I'll start working on cleaning up the backyard veggie patch and planning out the side yard salsa garden.