The little garden has been plodding right along, regardless of the intermittent just-under-a-freeze-warning type temperatures we have had here in South West Florida (today it’s warm out!) I got home last night from my Avon Rep Meeting and hubby had decided on his own to go pick one of the tomatoes that was barely starting to turn red! It’s sitting here on the counter more than likely destined for (gluten free) Fried Green Tomato to go along with dinner tonight. I wish he hadn’t picked it. His excuse; ”I thought I’d pick it so the animals wouldn’t get it” WELL…. The only animals likely to get it around here are an errant wood pecker, blue jay OR human. The Nasturtiums I planted from seed last month are still coming along. The lettuce and collards are still producing as well.
Picked Too Soon!
The rest of the tomato bunches are doing OK… so long as no one decides to pick any or take a bite…. The above and below are Bonnie Select Hybrid Tomato, Determinate. They get 8 to 10 oz and are a good handful. Maturity is around 75 days. Water Tomatoes daily! Check periodically for worms and bugs to pick off. Interestingly enough, my Bonnie Tomato “Mortgage Lifter” and Black Krim are undersized plants with small fruits – they do receive the same treatments with water and fertilizer.
Bonnie Select hybrid Tomatoes
The Cauliflower is just starting to head up. I was taught that when it starts to head up like this you take some of the leaves and you cover the head up so it stay a nice white color. Do you do this with your Cauliflower? (I also like to put some of the leaves in salads for a little different flavor.) Store bought Cauliflower does not compare to home grown! It’s easy to grow, try it out in your Zone!
I had no idea that while I was planting and taking care of the garden, the birds were also planting a Sunflower Garden. OK, they were in cahoots with the squirrels hiding seeds.. The Black Oil sunflowers are almost as tall as me (5′ 4″) and are wonderful to see every day as they track the sun across the sky. I’ve included another photo. The two below are the tallest.
The most cool bird I have seen in the Backyard Universe has been an American Goldfinch I sighted in the Labyrinth tree last month. He was part of a small flock that passed through one evening. You just never know what you might see from your backyard! Spring is coming so get your small (or large) garden in, feed the birds and watch the magic happen around you! Get the family involved! If you need suggestions, drop me a note. I am located in Lehigh Acres Florida. Part of South West Florida. Visit my website here if you are visiting!
Click to view slideshow.
