Tuesday, January 01, 2013

A December Day in the Arizona Garden

December 30, 2012

      I thined my beets today by harvesting the larger ones, three inch diameter ones leaving the smaller one to continue growing.  I will boil the leaves to make the make a vegetable soup stock.  I also planted Ranunculus and Tulips scattered among the other flowers and vegetables as well as a Ginger root in a pot.  I tilled in some steer manure into the top 2" of soil in the areas where I cleared the last of the Watermelons and Birdhouse Gourds plants. I planted Green Onion, Arugula, and Radishes, Turnips, Black Simpson Lettuce Seeds and Aritchokes transplants.  I noticed that a weed, London Rocket is growing everywhere.  I realized that it looks alot like some of my other green. It is edible too and so I began havesting it too. 
      The lone hummingbird found the feeder since I moved it close to an blooming Aloe vera plant that I knew he frequented.  He was within arms length when I saw him.  Then two more came it looked like a family. Mom, Dad and a small chick. The chick is no bigger than your thumb. I hope they survive the upcomming cold weather.
    

The Cannas are still blooming