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?