to do list

Amanda and Charles brought me some gourds home last year...Kenneth cut them for bird nests but they need to be hung up and...

the seeds need to be planted along with some sunflower seeds I have.

the basil needs to be cut and dried...

I cleaned up the first bed in order to put in our second planting of green beans. I also need to finish cutting the cilantro.

the first beans I planted were Blue Lake, these are White Half runner and I need to replant my dill since the tunnel gophers ate all the last seeds.

• Update: I got the dill and beans planted and the cilantro cut on Sunday (14th)
  

drying lavender...

I cut the lavender and looked up online how to dry it so I can use it later for something.

Kitchen garden...

the lavender is blooming, I have already dried some peppermint and basil so far this year.

green beans

tomatoes

golden zucchini

sweet texas onions

I love Fall...

I love this time of year, cool weather is so nice and being able to have the screen doors open to catch the breeze. The only draw back is the amount of sand which four small paws seem to be able to bring in, oh well, you have to take a little extra work for the privilege. I have tried to be more productive this morning, I actually got fully dressed today! I've done a load of laundry which is drying on the line, weeded the garden bed and did some cleaning of the large sticks out of the compost mulch which haven't started decaying yet. I cut the okra and some peppers and picked a handful of cherry tomatoes. I checked on the lemon/lime trees and look what I discovered.

Spikes! they are at least 1" - 1 1/2" long. Who knew?

the asperigus fern are doing well

this is the "volunteer" tomatoe which grew next to Dusty's pool. It ended up about 5' tall at one point it even put on some blooms but it doesn't get any sunshine. It grew in 2" of pebbles, this amazes me.

this is the blueberry plant, it has done well, hoping for blueberries next year.

the "lavender" plant, when does it ever bloom?

this is the bed I cleaned and weeded this morning (the one in the front) and behind is the last of the tomatoes, mostly the cherry ones are the only ones still making, only when I just picked them I noticed the romas are trying to make some more, we'll have to see if they are able to turn red before the first frost.

the sunflowers are long gone...

this was the very last cantaloupe of the season, they were all very good. I'm already planning for next years garden and how to rotate the crops like all the books say from one bed to the other. We know we want more okra plants and have been saving our seed. I also saved some seeds from some of the peppers and I am planning on having more herbs especially cilantro for salsa and some tomatoes which are on the meaty side. Since I'm the only one who eats tomatoes, the cherry were good but I want something we can can to use later.
Just a Note: When logging on today I noticed "I have a follower" I am very excited about this, and their a famous family from a well known movie! I look forward to learning about using coupons from her. Welcome! Life at the Burrow

Herbs...

This is the Basil I cut this morning. If you have never tried growing herbs Basil is sooo easy. Just cut it every week or two above a set of leaves and it will grow until your first freeze. Also cut it first thing in the morning before it gets hot or it gets to limp to work with. I have washed this batch and am getting it ready to dry.

Trim off the leaves onto a paper towel. I use two towels still connected so you can cover it up when you place it in the microwave. As you may be able to tell I am reusing the paper towels.

This is what you are left with, just the stems.

Dry in the microwave for two minutes on the first side, then carefully flip it over and dry an additional minute on the second side. Remove from microwave and let cool before placing in baggy.

This is what I've dried so far this summer. Sprinkle a little on anything just at the end of cooking, it has a very mild flavor and adds just a little green to any meats you prepare.

Drying herbs

Cilantro is towards the top and catnip is at the bottom.

As you can see the herbs are way ahead of the tomatoes, and since the cilantro was supposed to be used for salsa I had to come up with someway of preserving it now so I can use it later.

"Drying Herbs in the Microwave"

Cut and clean the herbs.

Place on paper towels and roll loosely, let dry for 1 hour.

Get (2) more dry paper towels, place herbs between the paper towels.

1 on top and 1 on the bottom.

Microwave for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.

check for dryness.

turn over and microwave an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute, if needed.

Note: You might start with the lower time for the first drying, you don't want them to burn.

Place in a baggie for later use.

And there you have dried herbs. I only dried these for 1 1/2 minutes. This is just one handful, I have much more to do. Can't wait to make something for the cats with the catnip!

We also have fruit...

Well at least in a year, maybe. I ordered Dwarf Lemon, Lime trees and a blueberry plant in February. The blueberry took 3 weeks to arrive. I just knew it was too dried out, but I soaked it overnight and then planted it outside in its new home. Now look at it (I wasn't dreaming) it does have leaves.

Yes, that's right its only 4" tall. It may take two years before we get blueberry jam. The lemon and lime trees arrived in only 2 weeks. they are doing really well, but it says it will be a year before we get fruit. Get your Corona's ready!

We have red strawberries! The peach tree we discovered growing over the back fence last year has peaches on it. So I covered it with netting, I hope to get the fruit before the birds do. See the little peaches.

I also planted one pot with herbs. Cilantro (for the salsa), peppermint and chamomile (for tea), and catnip (for you know who).

Oh, right in the middle of the herbs is a Lavender plant. Here's to sweet dreams.