Harvesting garlic scapes

Following up on the March 2, 2011 entry on garlic (http://www.captivatingprospects.com/2011/03/garlic.html), I have now begun to harvest the scapes.  I have circled a scape (i.e. a developing flowering stalk) in the picture above, and I have boxed in one that has been cut.  Anyhow, this is a delicacy that I have recently come to appreciate.  How do they taste?  I would describe it as garlic flavored aspargus.  They are not nearly as intense as garlic bulbs/cloves.

Mulch volcanoes gone wild!

There is no shortage of information regarding the problems associated with piling up mulch around tree trunks.  Yet, it is often standard practice in commercial landscapes.

But aside from the tree killing properties of mulch volcanoes, are they aesthetically appealing?  I don't see how.

It is perhaps fitting that some of the most absurd mulching practices can be seen among establishments that sell it.  Personally, I would recommend compost for most mulching needs.

Photographic excursion in my garden, May 14, 2011

The slide show features some of the plants in our garden.  While the broccoli, garlic, strawberries, black currants, and parsley have been presented on this blog before, the slide show also includes tomatoes, raspberries, gooseberries, peonies, roses, clematises, hollies, sage, beets, carrots, and cantaloupe.  All pictures were taken May 14, 2011.  The music was composed and recorded by myself.

Rammed earth tires as water barrel stands, adopting an idea from "Earthships"

Back in 2009, I visited Earthship World HQ near Taos, NM (http://www.earthship.org).  "Earthships" constitute highly efficient buildings that provide the basic needs for its inhabitants with very few external energy inputs compared to more conventional structures.   

But perhaps more notably, "Earthships" differ from conventional buildings by their use of old tires, glass bottles, and aluminum cans as construction material.

The sturdiness of the dirt packed tires inspired me to adopt the concept for our home garden.

As an abundant and generally free resource (disposal of old tires is rather problematic and most tire shops are happy to give them away), I figured that dirt packed tires could serve as cheap water barrel stands.  In order to obtain any water pressure to speak of, rain barrels have to come off the ground, and dirt filled tires are far easier than wood, bricks, or concrete.  Now, somebody may argue that tires are ugly.  But this could be addressed by applying some kind of wood or plaster veneer.  Rocks might also serve.

Protecting tomato seedlings in the spring

When planting tomato seedlings in the spring, one has to keep in mind that they don't much cold tolerance (and certainly no freeze tolerance).  With the prospect of overnight lows in the mid 30's, my cold frames (i.e. transparent plastic bins) are once again being put to use.  In addition to protecting the plants at night, these bins can also help by raising daytime temperatures.  Tomatoes typically thrive in the heat of summer, and daytime May temperatures are often less than ideal.

Backyard strawberries

While I regard strawberries (Fragaria spp.) as absolutely delicious, it hasn't escaped my attention that non-organic strawberries have a rather atrocious record as far as pesticides are concerned.  Furthermore, strawberries have a problematic reputation when it comes to labor issues, and the availability of locally grown strawberries is often limited.  Hence, it makes a lot sense to grow your own, especially since there are species and cultivars suited to most temperate climates.  Small scale gardeners are also less likely to encounter the disease and pest problems that drive large commercial growers toward using pesticides.

A few seasons back, we planted a few June and a few everbearing plants in a small raised bed that we were also using for herbs.  Although this bed had been somewhat neglected and was largely overgrown at the beginning of this season, these plants have provided us with two 20 square feet beds and one 27 square feet bed filled exclusively with strawberries (everything transplanted this season).  Taken advantage of their tendency to produce clones by above ground runners (aka stolons), a small number of plants can rapidly increase one's production capacity.  In addition to what we transplanted to these beds, we have also given away a large number of plants to friends and coworkers.