Summer Gardening Update Part III: Orange Pumpkins, The Olla Experiment, & The Wedding Party
Before we get too far into fall, let's recap the end of summer with part III of my summer gardening series!
Nice south swell out there.
Jack on Track
I'm very excited to report that there are currently two pumpkins! They are on track to be Jack O'Lanterns by Halloween.
In a previous post, I said I didn't know if the pumpkins would grow inside or outside the pot. Well, they have grown a good deal outside the pot; the vines extend about 5 feet on either side!
The other pumpkin plants have been growing, but not quite as big as the one in the pot (that one has more sun). They are flowering, but no pumpkins so far.
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Also, the two on the Stairway Slope have powdery mildew. Thinking about it now, the fence in this section blocks the typical direction of the wind (making it a recipe for powdery mildew).
Tasty Tower Tomatoes
The Botanic Apartments have been a tricky growing method to master. The top level soil dries out, while the bottom ones get too wet. So far, the only plants that seem happiest are the tomatoes.
You can have those round red things over there. We're here for the peanuts.
They have done very well in the Apartments, providing a continuous supply of tomatoes all summer. I've enjoyed them in many salads and as a tasty snack.
Toward the end of the season they did get attacked by tomato hornworms.
O yess! Nice tomato. Yess indeed.
Lia is a Cantina Regular
When I first met Lia, she was very shy. But now Lia is part of the Cantina crew - frequenting our fine establishing for daily specials.
Wait, don't take the picture yet, I'm chewing.
I also saw her with her best friend once. Word of beak really is the best form of marketing!
Really? While I'm bathing?
Planted Oregano
I didn't know how much I liked oregano until I planted some and started adding it to my summer salads. It is delicious!
Date planted: August 8
I added it to bean & sundried tomato salad and to grilled halloumi.
Halloumi with fresh oregano
The Olla Experiment
I saw a video for an "ancient watering technique" called an olla and thought it would be an interesting experiment to try. Essentially, it waters plants underground through soil-moisture tension. You'll see as I explain with pictures.
Historically, an olla is crafted like a vase. You bury it in the ground and fill it with water through a narrow neck opening that sticks above the ground.
You can also make one out of terracotta pots. Somehow, I already had one. I found a sealed pot a while back and didn't think I could use it because it lacked drainage. But it is exactly what you want for a makeshift olla.
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I put it on the Stairway Slope as a watering solution because when I water the slope, the water (to no surprise) runs down the slope. The olla is the experimental solution to keeping the water where it can water the plants.
Olla in the ground
A bonus to gardening is finding buried treasure.
Yo ho, yo ho, a gardener's life for me
After I buried the pot, I filled it with water.
And covered the top with a terracotta tray.
The water slowly seeps through the porous terracotta. Here is the moisture reading just after I installed the olla:
And here is the moisture reading later that afternoon:
Every other day or so, I top up the water.
I think the olla experiment has been a success. While the other pumpkins start to wilt in the midday sun, the pumpkin next to the olla remains upright because the moisture level is steady.
Made Mint Ice Cream From Fresh Mint
Because it's not summer without ice cream!
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I had a cute but pesky stowaway when I brought in the mint.
A kitchen! I thought this hand was going to Hawaii!
The Zinnia Was Eaten...
Mark zinnia on the list of plants to keep out of reach from the Courtyard thieves.
... So I Planted Chamomille in Its Spot
Red-Shouldered Hawk
Often I see hawks soaring in the sky above the Courtyard or in the tall trees in the distance. One day, I saw one borrowing BJ's lookout for "making" his morning meal.
Hawk of Hawk's Natural Pest Control
The Wedding Party
What's this about a party? Will there be an open peanut bar?
My sister (hi lil sis!) got married this month, and I wanted to make the Courtyard and Deck look nice for the wedding party we would have the day before. What better than flowers for a wedding party. Here's what I added:
Hydrangea
Beautiful white flowers for a wedding party.
Date planted: September 6
French Lavender and Chrysanthemums
I added these to two corners of the Deck to make a symmetrical arrangement. The lavender would be a nice evergreen addition, and the mums perfectly fit the beginning-of-fall-vibe.
Drummond's phlox
I got this because the label said it is a good pollinator. It is native to Texas.
Date planted: September 13
Impatiens
The impatiens I planted in the ground have been doing very well, so I got more to decorate the shelf next to the jasmine.
Date planted: September 13
Sweet Lavender
Another variety of lavender in another corner. I like the wild look of it.
Date planted: September 17
Zinnias and Salvias
An arrangement of zinnias and salvias for the table on the Deck (inaccessible to hungry Courtyard thieves).
Date planted: September 17
More Salvias
In a pot near the backdoor of the Courtyard.
Date planted: September 17
Thyme
Because herbs are pretty, too.
Date planted: September 18
Even More Salvias
They join the drummond's phlox and snapdragon.
Hey, it's a party in here!
The wedding party was a lovely time, and my sister and her husband enjoyed a fun tour of the improved Courtyard.
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And that concludes this year's summer gardening series! Check out Part I and Part II if you missed those. Thank you for reading, and stay tuned because I have more coming up this season!
Gotta get the last of these summer rays before I go into brumation.