~~Arizona Garden~~

Yes, you CAN grow a lovely garden in Arizona!  Ask me how we can grow one for you!  (480) 319-2229

Today's spoils!

~~Spring~~

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

~~Spring~~

Spring 2011 has brought a plethora of blessings. And what a ride it is...

First, take a look at spring in Scottsdale, Arizona.  It really does snow here!

And because I spent much of my time and energy caring for my Mother-in-law, her sons encouraged me to take a break with friends and head north to one of the few vortexes of the world, Sedona, Arizona.

Just a few days after I got home, Mother died.  It was time to take her home to her sunflowers in Kansas.

Look at the stately stone building (with antique gas pumps) we passed.  (Yes, it was snowing in Kansas, also.)

On our way back from Kansas, we traveled through the lovely High Country of Arizona and came across tranquil, beautiful snow made mountain lakes. The breeze was crisp and blew pine scents through the air.

When we returned, it was time to start another growing season in the garden, a real place of therapy and peace for me.

And I love guests in the garden....

~~Winder Garden 2010~~

Well, I no longer suffer from Fall Fever, because Autumn has officially arrived. I don't watch the calendar for seasons here; I watch the thermometer.  It is finally in the 60's at night.  Woot!  Woot!

Today, I finished planting the garden.


Drum roll.......here it is!

I have no clue why or how theses pictures got phucked up.  So there.

We have eggplant, four kinds of peppers, four kinds of tomatoes, spinach, lettuce, radishes.  And for herbs, we have rosemary, oregano, thyme, basil, cilantro and chives.

Let it grow.... Let it grow... Let it grow!  

Death in the Garden

I have not written about my garden in the longest time because we had a death in the garden.

Our beloved kitten, Tigger, was playing in the garden. Truly, he loved to play in the garden. It was about dusk and time for him to come in for the evening.

As I was calling him, a bobcat leaped over the wall and killed our Tigger. It happened so fast that we could not get to our baby on time.

The one thing that the death of Tigger taught me. We are here to love and be loved. It really is that simple.

Will start writing again regularly.... Can't write more now....still crying...

~~Summer Daze~~

After about a MILLION pear tomatoes, we enjoyed a g'zillion pear tomato dishes. I finally pulled the tangled vines out. Now, all we have are the herbs, which are thriving. (And so is the lizard that lives in the garden. Tigger and Tater love to chase him out!)

Off to Home Depot to see what to plant next!

Easter in the garden

Well, how appropriate is it that the hummingbird babies made their debut on Easter morning. You may find them difficult to see, so just look at the picture and trust me.


The garden is responding nicely to the beautiful Arizona weather. (Notice the giant gecko that made its way into the scene.)

Tigger enjoys the bougainvillea (boo gan vee ya).

The "Gifted"

Yesterday, a neighbor who knows that I started a garden stopped me to ask how the garden was growing. I excitedly told her that I have my first tiny tomato! She responded, "Well, MiMi, aren't tomatoes supposed to be big?"

Stunned, I looked at her and said, "Gertrude, isn't everything tiny before it becomes big??" (The name has been changed to protect the "gifted.")

Speaking of tiny, look at the hummingbird's eggs. She dutifully tends to them most of the day. Her partner takes turns guarding the nest when she needs to eat.

New Adds

This weekend I moved a hummingbird feeder to the garden, as I noticed a few hanging out there.

Hummingbirds can fly right, left, up, down, backwards, even upside down.

Hummers have a fast breathing rate, a fast heartbeat, and a high body temperature. They must feed every 10 minutes or so all day, and they may consume 2/3 of their body weight in a single day.A major part of a hummingbird's diet is sugar. They get it from flower nectar and tree sap.

We found a hummingbird nest with momma doing her nesting duties. Only females tend to nests of hummers, but doves share the joy.

Other critters like to play near the garden-- Tigger, the tabby and Tater, the puggle.

I cut a bunch of cilantro, also. Cilantro is a kind of parsley. I use scissors to cut it generously into Mexican or Asian recipes. I also use it in guacamole, omelets, chicken dishes and soups and salads.

Guacamole Recipe
2 soft-ish avocados
fresh lime--from the garden
coarse salt
small tomato--from the garden
garlic
cilantro--from the garden

Simply peel and pit the avocados. Mash them up--chunky or smooth. Add garlic, salt and cilantro to taste. I also like to add freshly chopped jalapeno...from the garden, of course. Squeeze in fresh lime juice and fold in the small tomato. Serve...with EVERYTHING.

By the way, avocados are "good" fat and guilt-free.