Wednesday, May 23, 2012

On the Home Front

Refurbished Chiminea
I was inspired to recycle a broken chiminea this weekend. High winds last fall toppled it over and the top piece broke. Even though the Hubs discarded the broken chimney, I could not part with the base. This is what I ended up with:

Succulents in a terra cotta pot and a saucer on top with LED (flame-less) candles in the bottom. The flame-less candles were my daughter Shannon's suggestion! They have an auto timer and I think they look marvelous!

Since Husband is retired, he takes care of all things inside and outside the home, meaning specifically he cleans, does laundry, gardens, plants flowers. Suffice it to say he amazes me! Here are some pix of our raised bed garden. You can see a corner of it above along with the hose that leads to the drip hose in the raised bed.
The Lone Zucchini Plant
Only one of three zucchini plants lived. ALAS! Usually they are so prolific one will be enough!





The Brussels Sprouts







I've not tried Brussels Sprouts before, but have a renewed interest (read taste here) in them!








The Tomato Plants




Husband planted three tomato plants - two regular type and the largest, bushiest one is a cherry tomato plant. They are full of blossoms and green tomatoes! (I'm salivating as I write this!)


More of the Tomato Plants








We will plant more in July. If it is like last year, we will have fresh tomatoes into December!


Asparagus Plants




Do any of you know anything about raising asparagus? This is year two of setting them out and we are at a loss to know what to do with them or how to tend them. I understand we are to wait until next year to begin harvesting them. Just as plants, they are lovely and airy looking.




Next we move to the front yard: 



Artichoke to the left of the front window
Artichokes do quite well in Arid-zona! These were planted last fall and were so small! I was afraid they might not winter well.


Artichoke to the right of the window









Artichokes are a lot of work to prepare for eating, but are Oh So Lovely to look at!









Pomegranate



This is our pomegranate tree / bush - it will depend upon our care of it which direction it will go...  I have wanted a pomegranate since I learned they grow here in the SW!

The blossoms are as beautiful as the mature fruit! You can see the small, immature fruit already on the bush.


Front Yard
This is Husband's front yard endeavor. His plants in the flagpole area, then flower pots he set out along with the solar lighting. The spikey red yucca have been here since we planted them 16-yrs. ago. They get divided on a regular basis. To the left of the sidewalk to the door is where I plant basil.

Well, that about it for the tour of our Arid-zona gardening!

Have a lovely day,

Tamara

p.s.  Genesis 2:9
New King James Version 
9 And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Two trees... of which do you choose to eat?



8 comments:

  1. It looks great and I love how the chiminea turned out. It looks great like that. You just reminded me I was going to do a post on our artichokes. I picked some last night and we had them for dinner.
    Your yard looks great.

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    1. Tell me what you do for your artichokes... I'm curious as this is the first I've tried to grow them. It really is the asparagus I want to learn about. I can't even find much via Google!

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  2. I love what you did with the chiminea, great idea Tamara! And a husband that works inside and outside!! My hubs would never garden!! Mow and trim but garden, never!! He does however enjoy the yard when he's home.
    I love Brussel Sprouts, they don't like me anymore however!
    And artichokes, oh my gosh!!! Those are on the top of my list!!
    Sorry I can't help you with the Asparagus Tamara. I don't grow vegies. I love to eat them but I really love flower gardening best. Plus my DIL plants plenty of vegies for us all!
    It's so nice that you get to sit and watch your hubby work, I love it!! Love Di ♥

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    1. Actually... he does the work while I'm at work, so I don't get to see it happen. But I sure do enjoy the fruits of his labor! Figuratively and literally!

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  3. you have it going on at your place!! the chiminea is a fabulous idea...and your garden...wow...
    i never considered growing zucchini or squash on a vine...that would certainly save a lot of space!

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    1. I thought the mini trellis might work well as the zucchini spreads out all over the place and the little squash themselves seem to do much better if they don't end up on the ground. I'll keep you posted!

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  4. i'm so happy you have such a wonderful husband
    who keeps house and keeps you supplied with
    delicious fresh vegetables.

    i loved your "arid-zona"

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  5. Tamara, very creative with the chiminea! And 'very valuable hubs' has done a marvellous job! It was lovely to have a tour around your place :)

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Thank you for stopping in. Your comments are a source of encouragement.