Fall is Right Around the Corner!

So tomorrow is August 1st... can you believe it?!? August is one of my favorite months though... I love knowing that summer is on its way out, and fall is right around the corner! :) To my delight... the backyard is already starting to remind me of the coming season ahead. Cooler weather, longer nights, autumn leaves, cozy sweaters, pumpkins, and relaxing by the fireplace with a cup of tea... just a few things to look forward to in the coming months!

More Eggplants!

The pumpkin plant is doing well. And it was grown from seed! 

 

This pumpkin bloom is ALIVE! Looks like a hungry mouth!

Yellow Orange Peppers... Salad, or Stir-fry?

I forgot what kind of peppers these are... but anything goes in a stir-fry, right? Or a salad! A salad will probably be destination for these cuties, since turning on the stove in this summer heat is pretty much the last thing I want to do. :) It will be so interesting to try these... I have never enjoyed peppers like this before!

Roses in Bloom!

May was a beautiful month for the roses... and now they are blooming again! This little rose bush is doing so well... despite the fact that it barely survived the college years (when I had tendencies to forget about plants... oops!). Back in March, I sprinkled Epsom salts around the base of the plant. Supposedly the minerals in it, sulfer and magnesium, are highly beneficial to plants. Some say that Epsom salts make the plants produce greener leaves as well as more flowers. :)  It seems to be working!!

Benefits of Basil!

If I had to choose only one herb to plant... it would definitely be basil.  It has a heavenly scent and looks great in the garden!  I picked this one up at Trader Joe's... for just $2.99!  I add it to my salads almost daily.  :)  And, it is perfect for making Basil-Lemonade!  Haven't made pesto yet... but I intend to tomorrow!  By the way... did you basil has many health benefits?  According to WH Foods, it's an excellent source of vitamin K and a very good source of iron, calcium, & vitamin A.  In addition, it's a good source of fiber, manganese , magnesium, vitamin C, and potassium.  It also has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties!  Just make sure to "pinch" back the center set of leaves to prevent flowering (as this causes the plant to taste bitter.)  It also encourages the plant to become fuller and produce even more basil!

Backyard Beans!

Just 3 months after growing beans from seed, the vines are taller than the fence, with beautiful beans just waiting to be picked!  I've enjoyed them on a salad... so fresh and delicious!  And even better... they came from my backyard!!

Fig Update!

Happy July!!  I cannot believe how quickly 2010 is flying by!

An update on the fig tree... it is producing fruit like crazy! Almost every morning, I enjoy this delicious fruit for breakfast. Interestingly, figs are considered one of "The World's Healthiest Foods". In addition to vitamin C and fiber, they are also excellent sources of potassium, vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium, and even iron! By far the best gardening decision I have ever made. :)