Wednesday, June 27, 2012

The Painters Have Arrived...


Our home is in a little disarray. Ok...a lot in disarray! 
But, it's a good mess because in a few days it's going to look gorgeous! If you follow diy Design Fanatic on Facebook, I posted  these two photos on my wall. 
I'm so excited that our Family Room, Foyer and two hallways are being painted that I couldn't wait to show everyone.

The last little bit of yellow paint has now been covered.   : )  : )  : )  I'm loving the new color and can't wait to get started on some new projects that the new paint color will inspire.

 In the meantime, Thought I'd share with you what's going on in the garden...
Lettuce doesn't do well in the hot Southern sun and humidity and we've had to cover the lettuce with some screens for shade. As an experiment, I let a couple of lettuce plants bolt(go to seed) They are now about 4 feet tall and full of flowers.

When the pretty flowers fade I will put bags over them to catch the seeds. 


I've just planted more lettuce seeds on the North Side of our house by the chimney. I should have done this last month, but this is only my 2nd year of growing veggies and I'm learning something new EVERY day. I've read that many people grow  lettuce in the shade in hot climates, so I'm giving it a try. Since this spot near the chimney is pretty bare and in the shade(except for 2 hours in the morning), it was a good space for my experiment.


The area was prepped by first removing the mulch, terracing the slope and spreading some organic garden mix. After that I planted the tiny lettuce seeds. 

I was amazed that the lettuce sprouted after only three days. 

The tomatoes are producing well and the we should have a whole bunch  more in the next couple of days. (this photo was taken a couple of days ago) Guess we'll be canning some salsa this weekend!

The zucchini and cucumbers are producing madly, but with all the rain we've been having, the leaves are getting powdery mildew. I've sprayed them with neem, but I think I'm losing the battle and planted two more seeds in the north bed, (just in case) so that we can continue to have zucchini until Fall.

Mr. Fanatic's favorite Butternut squash are growing slowly and are doing well.


Anyone know what this is???


It looks like Queen Anne's Lace, but they're actually the flowers from two carrots I planted.  Queen Anne's Lace is a wild carrot.

I planted 4 rows of carrots, but this is the only plant that flowered. The other carrots have all been harvested, but I'm letting this one go to seed.We didn't have any black swallowtail butterfly caterpillars munching on the carrots like we did last year. You can read about our butterfly adventure here if you missed it.


Pretty.
 Well, now you're up to date on what's happening at Casa Fanatic ~both inside and out. Hope you are enjoying Summer and are
having a fantastic day.

Pam

14 comments:

  1. I will just come to your blog and learn the gardening tricks. Did not know about the carrot flowers. So pretty. Oh, lucky you to have painters there. I may save up and have someone do ours in the next year. Not loving the color I chose last time.

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  2. WOW Pam, that is going to look fantastic! Your gardens are looking yummy too.

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  3. Carrot flowers??? Well, you certainly learn something new every day.. love them!
    So, what color IS that on your walls? I used to paint every surface in our house (the one up north). Every wall.. but now, yes, I let the painters do it! They do it so quickly and efficiently.. much better!

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  4. Pam you have the best gardens, they look amazing!! Can't wait to see the changes you do to the inside!

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  5. I need some help in my garden!!!
    Can't wait to see the paint all finished, so exciting.
    XO
    Kristin

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  6. Your garden is amazing ... envious! And, I love your new wall color ... can't wait to see more!

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  7. I know how excited you must be! We've always painted ourselves. I don't think I'd be able to contain my excitement if we hired someone!! Can't wait to see it finished.

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  8. Looking good! I can't wait to see it all finished!
    Your garden is producing nicely for you and you've gotten it all down pat!
    I've heard of using screens for plants especially in the south with the extra intense sun. All in all it looks like you are having fun and enjoying your gardening!

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  9. The Neem oil may be the reason for no butterflies--it's an effective insecticide, and unfortunately doesn't distinguish between desirable & undesirable insects :-(.
    Really the only way to 'treat' powdery mildew is to prevent it. Your weather conditions (warm & humid, rainy) are the culprit ....once it's on a plant it's there, but it usually doesn't do much harm other than looking unpleasant. Send some rain north, please --in Chicago we're having our worst drought since 1922!

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  10. New paint is exciting. Having someone else do it for you is even more so!!
    I have my lettuce planted under my tomatoes, for the shade. So far so good. they haven't bolted yet and are not bitter, as I heard they might become in the summer. My arugula have bolted however. I need to plant more of them.
    I have also had fungus problems on my cucumbers. Try spraying them with diluted milk....

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  11. Very exciting!! Your gardens are amazing! Megan

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  12. Pam, I can hardly wait to see it all come together. Your garden looks amazing home grown is the best!

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  13. Pam...looks like things are truly "blooming inside and out"!!...What a great harvest you will have..I am so admiring that squash!....and you really could have fooled me on the "carrot flower"...I truly thought it was Queen Anne's Lace....Looking forward to seeing your rooms in the new color...!

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  14. You have such a beautiful garden!

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