Some flowers, the porch cat and myself and Kikko snoozing last week.

Celebrating Those That Gave Some and Those That Gave All

Memorial Day is always a day for me to celebrate family members that gave some and family members that gave all. I tipped a few pints to my brothe John Stigar that passed on at 28 due to exposure to Agent Ornge in Vietnam as an Air Force Forward Bomb Observer and my dad Wayne Alfred Damitz who passed on at 55 due to complications of tuberculosis contracted in the Army during World War II. Cheers to all.


1500 miillileters of Pliny the Elder cures what ails you.

Cauliflower

I Harvested my cauliflower today. 8 heads for 10 gallons of cauliflower.

Soaking in saltwater to get rid of the bugs.


The leftovers.


The bags ready to freeze after blanching.

I'm sure I'll be sick of cauliflower before these are all eaten.

Remember Those That Gave All

Kikko Enjoying the fresh air and garden.

I was suprised with these artichokes.

Raised Planters

Stained the planters and put some bark over that "evil" landscape fabric.

The new flower bed after I removed 3 diseased roses.

I sure wish the threat of rain would pass so I could untarp my basement steps.

Garden Update

The potatoes are flowering and the cauliflower is growing heads. I'm trying using tiewire this year to hold the leaves closed over the heads instead of string. It looks like it will be a big success and I can hang them on the back of the shed until I need to use them again.

Garden Show Buys

How do I keep my better half from buying too much at a garden show? I take the Corolla instead of the Dodge diesel. With only a small backseat and a small truck she could only pick up a few small items.


She's decided she'll need to add a new family member each show.

RIP Magoo

I just read today that Danny "Magoo" Chandler passed on earlier this month at the age of 50. The wildman of motocross was a native of Foresthill and resident of Sacramento. He lived life to it's fullest even after a paralyzing accident in a race. I enjoyed speaking with him at the demolition derbies at the Auburn Fair each year. He was a hero to many young mx'ers my self included when we were in high school and a rol model on how to "Keep pushin' on" in life even after taking a serious blow. Rest in Peace Danny. Rock on and tear up the track up there.

Auburn Home Show

The Auburn Home Show is this weekend.
http://www.auburnhomeshows.com/Spring_Home_Show/index.html

May Storm

I found the rainbow for today's cold storm.......I've been killing snails wholesale. They've been out in the open due to the moisture. I've squished over 50 of the little slimy pests.

Starting to Look Like a Summer Garden

When to the Bird residence today to pick up 8 tomato plants to finish planting my middle planter. Bill and Venus had quite a collection of tomatoes growing and heading out for new homes. They also had much more zucchini etc starting. I got to first hand check out the Bird Farm and was impressed with the size of it, the set up of it and the variety of things being grown.

Once home the little Bird girls were nestled into their summer homes and the cages placed around them. Hopefully the warm weather expected late next week will get them going. We have had enough cold weather. I'm already ready for that first summer tomato and it looks like a plant I bought called "Fourth of July" will claim that honor if the wind or bees do their duty as it is already flowering. My garden has a pretty good start already with my potatoes getting ready to flower and the onions looking ready to eat. Hopefully my cauliflower will start producing heads soon.

Right planter with tomatoes, an eggplant, and some asparagus. This week after the wod dries it will be stained and bark will be added around the planters to finisah the area.


The middle planter with the Bird girls (tomatoes).


The left skinny planter with dill, Mexican Sunflowers, Mammoth Sunflowers, Children's Sunflowers and a medium height cutting Sunflower.


Red, orange, yellow and green bell peppers plus Salsa peppers in 18 gallon tubs.


Red LaSoda potatoes


Blue potatoes


Sierra Gold potatoes


4 different kinds of garlic


Onions


My radishes and lettuce have already sprouted


Cauliflower yet to head out as well as 2 kinds of zucchini, 2 kinds of watermelon, 2 kinds of cucumbers, green beans, and winter squash. I need to get it mulched.

Artichokes

My artichoke plants are actually getting some artichokes. This plant has 2 currently and the other has 1. I hope they get to an edible size before the plants succumb to the summer heat when it arrives.

Fail

The experiment in sheet mulching was a fail for me. I should of hit the grass with Round Up or dug it out. Instead it grew through the paper and looks horrible currently. After the artichokes go dormant I'll be using Round Up and fixing it.