Gerber Daisy

Two gerber daisies seeded. At least I think so. This is what they looked like.

This is what georgez says about planting. "No pretreatment required. lightly cover the seed soil temp 68-72F & takes 10-14 days to germinate & transplant after 6 weeks... & produces a plant in a 4" pot in 24 weeks (flowering)."

I half buried the seeds in the soil around the daisies. The flood of watering has moved ALL four types of seeds all around. That's great, if they all germinate. The Gerbers are looking great. The white even has 2 new blooms today and they look lovely.

Epiphany: Gospel learning in the garden

I don't care as much about the green grass as I do the dead grass. I spend much more time caring and worrying for the yellow. As I watered by "hand" tonight, I understood a bit more about the prodigal son's brother. He was always under the sprinkler, so stayed green and had all he needed and was capable of obtaining for his good. The dead lawn crawled to the well and received a ready welcome. A good lesson then...don't carry your water into the desert, follow the steady source of water--living water.


Under stress, the pumpkin plant shrivels its leaves to preserve water, a valuable resource. In gardening and tending plants, I understand more about the nature of life and the cycle we live in. My cycle is longer than a plants, so it is interesting and telling to watch the life process happen so quickly. Here is the first trimester of a pumpkin flower. Conditions had to be perfect for this young plant to begin production so early. I love this plant for doing what it was designed to do.

A proper place

I removed a huge hydendrea bush today. It was one of my favorites, but there are three others. It went something like this:

I've never removed a stump before. I was quite proud of myself... UNTIL I acknowledged many people for a long time have been doing this for survival, not on a whim to plant a fragrant vine (star jasmine). I, therefore, admit that I am a wimp. I concede to those who triumph in the fields and forest to the saving of their families and contribution to the development of agriculture.

opinion

I don't like how the root "heart" of vinca looks. Like eyes or valves or tentacle arms ... ugh. shiver.

My garbage is full. It's all from the yard.

I found a place for my star jasmine. Tomorrow, the hacking will begin.

We love to pick the peas. They grow fast and taste good. Even the snails and grasshoppers like the plants. They are pretty water picky lately though. Too dry for them. Guess I should water. Next year, space them better.

Front door flora

The Verbena/Lantana mix is doing surprisingly well considering the lack of water and attention. The lawn is half dead and the weedy vines were closing in, but these three little plants are thriving.Peach Verbena, Pink Verbena: "They can be grown as annuals in cold climates; they are tolerant of drought and are especially suitable for growing in hot, desert climates. Grow these plants in fertile, well-drained soil that is moist to on the dry side, in a sunny location."

Rainbow Lantana (actually flowerless in the photo from tonight, but budding): Recommend cool temps with lots of water.

I have no idea how the lantana is alive. It's been hot and unwatered. I planted the three plants in the same whole. The flower bunches are about the same size, and the colors when intermingled are cheerful. I love the peach with the pink. The lantana is pink to yellow and coordinates nicely. They are crawling plants, but I am trying to train them upward. I would mind if they filled the entire space next to the front door.

I can even take infrared pictures with my camera. Both photos were taken tonight.