The month started off with traveling for work. I attended conference for families affected by Tay Sachs/Sandhoff’s and other genetic diseases. I learned several things, saw firsthand the impact of these diseases upon families. It was sobering to say the least. On the upside we did manage to recruit some new donors.
While I was gone my neighbor Josie took care of all the gardens/yard. She has become my gardening bestie. Lol. She’s given me some great advice, and some nice plants, we’ve shared seeds and helped with set up of the new greenhouse. (She bought one the day after I set mine up.)
The most obvious change for the month is the west side of the garage. I am really loving the look now that things have some great color and are growing well. I was pretty motivated to finish up the gardens after the Garden Fair.
I still have some grow bags that are going to be added to the area, with some squash, flowers, and a Spanish Broom bush toward the back of the area. It’ll hide those utility boxes and the neighbor’s fence. (I absolutely LOVE those bushes, they smell amazing!) There are a few more pots that need to be cleaned up and added too. Yes, I have acquired a lot of pots, this isn’t all of them, but close. I did count I have almost 100, not counting all the seed starting pots/cells/boxes.
It even looks great from the street.
The corn sprouted, it needs to be around 12 inches tall before I plant the green beans, about a week after I plant those, I’ll plant the squash seeds. I’m thinking rather than zucchini I’d rather plant butternut or spaghetti squash or more cucumbers….. I am a bit disappointed that this is all that came up from an entire package of corn seeds.
It should be more than double what is shown below.
I know I said it before, but I’m about done adding/changing things around the house. The one thing I need to do that I’ve put off is moving the wood pile. It needs to move more behind the blue spruce tree. I put it there because it was easier to get to, but since then I’ve really trimmed back that spruce tree, so it can move more to the right side of the picture so it’s a bit more behind the tree. I think it’ll make the yard feel less crowded.
I did take the time to get the yard certified as a national wildlife habitat. See the image below for more information.
Here’s the checklist.
So far, I’ve got 3 new birds’ nests on the portal, I did add 3 bird houses and a bat box to the east side of the house. I might add another birdbath and feeder to the yard, the one by the garage hasn’t caused any issues. I’d love to see all the birds at a feeder when I’m in the house or using one of the seating areas. I think that I’d like to get a sign like this one too.
I’ve also applied to the Friends of Valle de Oro to get the yard certified as a NM backyard refuge. The program started in abq, but they are expanding out to other areas. I figure since all the things they require are things I’ve got anyway, why not do it. I believe in trying to support the birds and pollinators as much as possible. If I can get other neighbors to think about these things, it’s a win. Not sure how long it’ll take before I hear back or get the certificate from them. I already know where the plaque is going to be mounted….
I’m just about done planting in the Community Garden Plots now. There are a few more things that I’m going to be adding to the North plot once they are ready to be transplanted. Lovage, Yarrow, Sorrel, cilantro, dill, lemon grass, chives and garlic chives, and a few marigolds. Once I harvest the garlic bulbs, I’m going to plant some more green beans to replenish the soil. I finished mulching it, I have to say it’s looking great!
There is definitely room for more plants here. I have to say I knew that mulch was beneficial for moisture retention, but I am still surprised at just how well it works. I didn’t mulch this one last year. I was having to water it at least every other day. Now, even every 2 days the ground under the straw isn’t bone dry.
I harvested garlic scapes from the north plot! I love getting to see and taste things I’ve only read about. Scapes are curly, vibrant green flower stalks that grow from hardneck garlic plants, you trim them off in late spring to early summer so the garlic plant directs its energy toward growing plump underground bulbs instead of flowers. They taste like a sweet cross between a scallion, asparagus, and mild garlic, they were great in a store bought pasta sauce.
The south plot is now done! Over last weekend last weekend of the month, I added the last three plants to it. The tomatillos! After having the tomatillo salsa that Sam made at the last Trials event. I needed to make some myself, it was awesome! Again, the mulch! Dang it does a great job of helping cut down on how much you need to water. I do need to find some more basil so I can make pesto again this year. I didn’t really stick to the square foot gardening plan. I did stick close to there only being one plant per square foot.
Here’s wishing for a rainy and cold monsoon season for New Mexico.