What did you do in the garden today?

[CapricornFarm]

Bobcat. We have them around, just never seen one in broad daylight in the open like that. That is a very healthy one too. Probably about 45 pounds.

It is hard to tell size in the picture. I did see a pair in Florida, and we had Bobcats and Panthers in TN.

 

[CapricornFarm]

What a cool way to spend time with your baby! I hope you look back on those memories with a smile now.

Yes, one of my son's was breast fed at a fun match, under a blanket of course. My older son showed our Belgian Sheepdog and she weighed as much as he did. She had a good temperament. Lots of memories, son looked so cute showing dogs in his suit.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Off to bed. Good night.

 

[igorsMistress]

G'nite

 

[chickmom3941]

I planted my first pumpkin a few weeks ago. I have never grown them but wanted to this year. I bought some Sugar Pie pumpkin seeds and only planted a few but only one in the garden. Also the fruit tree cuttings I took on June 1 are growing like crazy!
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I love pumpkins! I've grown them for a few years now. Last year, they were invaded by vine borers, so this year I decided to try an experiment. I planted the pumpkin & winter squash seeds (about 8 varieties, I think) in pots on our screened porch, so the vine borer moths can't get at them. Once it's safe to plant in the garden (which should be soon, if not already safe), we will have a lot of plants to put in the ground. They are getting pretty big in their pots, and already flowering, so I hope we can transplant them soon - they're ready to really take off! Good luck on your sugar pies! Are you planning to bake with the fruits you get?

 

[NorthTexasWink]

@chickmom3941 One of the reasons I don't plant much squash is the vine borers. I'm interested to see how well your transplants do. I'd always heard they didn't do well as starts/transplants unless they were very small, which wouldn't help me much with our long season for borers. Please keep us posted!

I was awakened at 4am by the puppy's urgent whining to go out. Bladder like a thimble on that wee one (pun intended). Couldn't go back to sleep, so . . . Pickles and waffles are going in the kitchen. If I freeze some waffles, my HE will let me sleep in some other morning. And it's July, so gotta do pickles to get the produce used up! I need something different to do with cucumbers.

 

[chickmom3941]

@chickmom3941 One of the reasons I don't plant much squash is the vine borers. I'm interested to see how well your transplants do. I'd always heard they didn't do well as starts/transplants unless they were very small, which wouldn't help me much with our long season for borers. Please keep us posted!

I was awakened at 4am by the puppy's urgent whining to go out. Bladder like a thimble on that wee one (pun intended). Couldn't go back to sleep, so . . . Pickles and waffles are going in the kitchen. If I freeze some waffles, my HE will let me sleep in some other morning. And it's July, so gotta do pickles to get the produce used up! I need something different to do with cucumbers.

Hi, NTW! Yes, I've also heard that pumpkins & squash don't transplant well, but I decided to give it a try anyway. They seem like pretty hardy plants, and I can't imagine transplanting could be harder on them than the vine borers were. I'm hoping my experiment is not a colossal failure, because right now the plants look extremely healthy and it would be a drag if they didn't take the transplanting well. Plus I'm trying some new (to me) exciting varieties, as well as some old favorites with hopes of eating them all winter long! I will keep you posted.
How long have you been making pickles? Is it hard? I've never tried making them - usually me and the chickens eat them all straight from the vine. I do can a few things, though, like apple butter & apple pie filling from the apples from our trees, and also tomato products. Last year most of our tomatoes went towards a new ketchup recipe I found, and that was a big hit!

 

[NorthTexasWink]

Most pickles are easy. At least as easy as tomatoes. They were the first thing I ever canned. I've been making them on my own since I was about 20. So yes, a long time. Cucumbers always make more than we can eat or give away fresh. And pickles, relish, chow-cow let us enjoy them anytime! We do love our relishes in the South.

 

[chickadoodles]

I love pumpkins! I've grown them for a few years now. Last year, they were invaded by vine borers, so this year I decided to try an experiment. I planted the pumpkin & winter squash seeds (about 8 varieties, I think) in pots on our screened porch, so the vine borer moths can't get at them. Once it's safe to plant in the garden (which should be soon, if not already safe), we will have a lot of plants to put in the ground. They are getting pretty big in their pots, and already flowering, so I hope we can transplant them soon - they're ready to really take off! Good luck on your sugar pies! Are you planning to bake with the fruits you get?

I am hoping to make some pumpkin pies with them. I have never done it before.
I hope I can. lol

As for your plants and transplanting them, try adding some 20-20-20 to them when you do plant them. It helps keep them from going into shock so bad and will help them bounce back. I use it faithfully.

 

[chickadoodles]

You can also shred them and freeze for salads or soups later on.