Super Sweet 100

Just planted a Super Sweet 100 in the Serrano pepper bed.  Picked it up at Walmart this weekend while taking my mother shopping. This variety is resistant to nematodes.  Excellent.

It's 90 °F & not quit 8pm. The garden is popping from the heat.  My swamp pants tell me it's time to enjoy the AC.

Happy Easter

Sweet Pea Mix

 Right on cue, the sweet peas are in bloom for Easter.  The seeds can be planted between October and December here in zone 8-9 in the south central San Joaquin Valley of California. Yesterday, reminded us all that summer is on the way with temperatures knocking on the 90s.  Today's cooler breezes are welcomed before we enter into the dreaded swam pants season.

 

Ladybud on the Warren Pear

Ladybugs are showing up in bigger numbers now.  They didn't really seem to hibernate this winter.  Unusual.  Glad they are showing up because the aphids are showing up as well.  Nature is kinda balanced in the garden for now.

 

If I only had a predator for all the mourning doves.

Good Scout

Farmer MacGregor’s an Eagle Scout and it shows.  My lame attempts at re-stringing the bean support clearly showed that I didn’t excel at Girl Scouting.  Today, he got everything nice and tight before the rains came again.  Before this support is used for summer beans, it will be used for sweet peas.

A packet of Old Spice Sweet Peas was planted on December 12, 2010.  I forgot to note when the seeds sprouted.  Typically, sweet peas should be planted around here in the fall; but better late than never.  I hope.  These extra fragrant flowers are expected to be in full bloom sometime in the spring (February through April).

And if they don’t bloom, at least the strings will look smart.

Swamp Pants

Like nails on a chalkboard.   As regular as Punxsutawney Phil on February 2 – I cringe when I hear those non natives to Bakersfield, California whine, “When is it going to get warm?” each winter and spring.   Be careful what you ask for, stranger.

Well it’s here.  Hibernating season in the Great San Joaquin Valley has begun.  Get up before the sun has a chance to pierce your spirit and get as much outside work done before swamp pants sets in.  What is swamp pants?  Turn away now if you really don’t want to know.

Swamp pants is where all the sweat on your body trickles down and rests in the crotch of your pants.  Yeah.  It’s gross and I hate it.  Wearing cotton or linen helps but does not prevent the disgusting occurrence of swamp pants.  There will be no relief until Halloween or beyond.  Each day that I turn the calendar page and chant, “It’s almost October.  It’s almost October,” is one day closer to relief from swamp pants.

That’s the way summer rolls here.  Take a peek at the temperature in the shade today.  Happy?

This is the 1st day the air conditioner was switched on.  Time to pay tithing to PG&E.