Composting.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?RZASZ 31 July 2008 Composting

If there is one secret to speedy composting, it is chopping the vegetation into small pieces, place it on the pile and forget it. A machete on a block of wood works just fine, and gives a small workout. Once or twice in the season mix it with a fork or rototiller. No silly container, or starter is utilized. The microbes will do their job. This pile will added to as required, and placed on the garden in early Spring 2009.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?QUIGD 8 August 2008 Chopping vegetation for composting
The compost pile will be ready come Spring about April 2009. I keep adding until about the end of October.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?KQATV 13 August 2008 Mixing compost pile
Using rototiller to mix vegetation in the compost pile.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?RYRSF 23 August 2008 Adding vegetation to compost pile.
Total time 15 minutes.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?AWMOS 28 August 2008 Reducing vegetation for composting.
Some spent plants were removed from the garden, and chopped for efficient, timely composting.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?ASDRY 6 September 2008 Removing and chopping spend vegetation from the garden. Total time 25 minutes.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?QERMY 15 September 2008 Shredding plant material for faster composting.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?INGIG 27 September 2008 Mixing Compost Pile
The compost pile was mixed today and some material was put on an area of the garden for planting garlic about the 15 October 2008. The pile was wet but still working as judged by the heat and odour.


http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?FHVJI Summary: Composting experience.

Gladiolus

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?CNDHV 30 July 2008 Gladiolus
There are two flowering groups of plants ( red and white). It is noticed that white always flowers first. The corms are planted in the Spring.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?LTEXC 5 August 2008 Gladiolus
The red type is blooming. I had to supply some support, due to some heavy rainfall.

Tomato Plant Lemon Boy

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?ZYMPT 30 July 2008 Tomato Plant Lemon Boy

This is the yellow tomato. The plant was allowed to grow with a cage for minor support, and no suckers were removed. The plant grows large and produces many clusters of high quality fruit. The down-side is some branches get broken due to the weight of the fruit, and much space must be left around the plant for growing. Except for this, the tomatoe plant can be grown quite successfully without removing the suckers. Sucker removal is probably a personal choice, dictated by space available, and ease of picking.

Lemon Boy produces almost perfectly shaped tomatoes with no blemishes, much more so than other tomato types. Some people prefer them, but others find them not to their liking.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?QOBPM 8 August 2008 Lemon Boy
A few ripe Lemon Boy picked today. I have many large green tomatoes on the four lemon boy plants. My tomatoes are relatively poor this year, due to cold weather in June, but I do have enough for our needs, and the quality is acceptable, certainly not like 2007.

The yellow tomatoes are touted to be less acidic than most of the reds, but I am not certain of this comment, since I never tested them.

Dahlia

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?VCVKT 30 July 2008 Dahlia

Always a pretty plant in the garden. This plant over-wintered in Zone 5. Usually the tubers are lifted and storaged for winter.

30 July 2008 Hibiscus syriacus Rose of Sharon

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?CFCYV 30 July 2008 Hibiscus syriacus Rose of Sharon

The two types of Rose of Sharon were small root shoots taken from another garden in 2005. They were just twigs of only two colours. They are almost a must have in any garden.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?IOLRY 5 August 2008 Hibiscus syriacus Rose of Sharon

Zinnia Bed

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?WEQJA 28 July 2008 Zinnia Bed

This bed is utilized for various flowers each year. The center piece was some Shirley Poppies associated with various zinnias. The Shirley Poppies have finished blooming for the year.

28 July 2008 Rudbeckia laciniata 'Hortensia' (Golden Glow)

http://xrl.us/okzxw 28 July 2008 Rudbeckia laciniata 'Hortensia' (Golden Glow)

Common name : Outhouse Plant or Golden Glow.

This plant was taken from another yard as a small clump. This vigorous spreader is kept contained by digging trenches around the clumps. A string encircles the upper area to prevent flopping after a heavy rain. I have seen the plant in many gardens, and nobody ever knew the name.

Cucumbers Cross Country

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?LQAER 21 July 2008 Cucumbers Cross Country. First picking.
Now only Cross Country is grown. This type satifies my requirements, and Cross Country is a prolific producer. There are total of seven plants in three hills about 25 inches apart.


http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?TFZVA 29 July 2008 Cross Country Cucumbers Third Picking
I didn't get pictures of the second picking, but the quantity was about the same.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?FSXRT 2 August 2008 Cucumbers Fourth Picking
Cross country is a prodigious producer.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?MUXTP 8 August 2008 Cross Country Cucumbers
Picking today.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?BDYJT 9 August 2008 Cucumbers Cross Country
More cucumbers picked today. Downy mildew has made its appearance, facilitated by wet weather, keeping the foliage damp. The cucumbers that hang from the trellis are completely green, and the ones lying on the ground have a yellow underside. This is a case for using a trellis if appearance is an issue.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?VUVUW 13 August 2008 Todays picking and downy mildew.
Another cucumber picking today. Downy mildew has appeared, since we have had a bit of rain almost everyday. This is ideal conditions for the fungus to flourish.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?YLGJJ 15 August 2008 Cucumbers Cross Country
Still producing in spite of the attack of downy mildew.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?UCHSE 16 August 2008 Cross Country Cucumbers
Another picking. These seven plants will not stop.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?WCHFY 19 August 2008 Cucumber Cross Country- last picking.
A perfect cucmber for the home garden.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?LJPJV Summary: Cross Country Cucumber.

Website and Sending pictures over the Internet.

Website and Sending pictures over the Internet:
If a tree falls in the forest and no-one hears it, does it make a noise? This applies to those wonderful, pictures you have on your computer. Sharing them with others is fun and they may even like to view them. I have tried all methods and this procedure I present here is by far the best. It is relatively cheap and non-intrusive for the recipient. I have about 30 thousand photos on my site over a time period of about 8 years. They are always available by sending the URL via E mail, or posting on any forum. This method is far superior to all the free websites that allow people to post pictures.

The procedure is: Download your pictures from camera to a directory on your computer. Open Breezebrowser to make an HTML file. Upload this file using FTP to the pub directory on your website. Copy the URL from the website and put it in your browser address line and hit go. Send the URL anywhere you like and anybody can open the directory to your pictures. This method is far superior to all the free websites that allow people to post pictures. I upload photos within literally minutes of getting home from a shoot, and notify all the recipients via E mail as to the URL of the site.

Method for Handling Photographs for distribution.

Get a web site. Probably less than $7.00 per month. There are many but here is one: http://www.bluehost.com/

Get Breezebrowser to make HTML of your photos, to file, plus annotation if necessary. It only requires a few minutes to process pictures at any size ready for uploading to the website. http://www.breezesys.com/BreezeBrowser/

Get WS FTP or any other FTP program to upload your photos to your web site. http://www.download.com/3000-2160-10018456.html

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?CAEZO 14 July 2008 Sunflower (Helianthus) Here is a a sample of how the pictures are received. Simply click on the thumbnail and the larger picture appear. The size is determined by the maker of the HTML page. Simple and Clean.
Using the method described above you are free of the shrills and their constant advertising on the various "Free" photo websites. Your site will be clean and fast. The uploaded photos will be excellent for viewing but not necessarily for printing.

If the users want prints you can send the originals at a size that they can print using this free software via E mail. http://s6.yousendit.com/

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?SIZCQ Summary: Website and sending pictures over the internet.

Red Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva)

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?XWNKM 21 July 2008 Red Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva)

Soldier beetles are similar to ladybugs in their feeding habit and are beneficials. They'll chow down on aphids and other insects' eggs. As far as I know, they don't hurt the flowers and can be good pollinators for selective plant species.

http://bugguide.net/node/view/82948 Information about this beneficial beetle.

http://bugguide.net/node/view/89507 More information about this beneficial beetle.

Curly-leaf parsley (Petroselinum crispum)

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?EGSNF 20 July 2008 Curly-leaf parsley (Petroselinum crispum)

There are four plants, planted from seedlings in early Spring. This plant will over-winter, but isn't worth the effort, since the new annual plants have more tender shoots.

Morning Glory (Ipomoea)

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?KOOGA 20 July 2008 Morning Glory (Ipomoea)

Morning glory are a nice vine, particularly in Northern climates, since its growth habit can be controlled. Mine are grown along the deck to provide shade, and it always self seeds. Many of the flowers have particular names, and the flowers have all the same shape.

20 July 2008 Purslane, Portulaca oleracea L

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?EYYPS 20 July 2008 Purslane, Portulaca oleracea L

Other Names: Portulaca, Pursley, Pusley, Pussley, Wild portulaca. This plant is an annual, reproducing only by seed, and the plant has enough nutrients in a small piece broken off that seeds can be produced.

It is pleasant to eat raw, and is a nice addition to a salad, amongst other cookery uses. This weed is ubiquitous, and seldom is a garden without this useful weed.

Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana)

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?WCQJP 19 July 2008 Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana)

One of my two horseradish plants was dug today to make horseradish condiment. The roots are scaled and cleaned with a steel wool scrubber and blended with vinegar to the desired texture, and stored in small jars.

I used 250 ml jars, but it is probably better stored in 125ml jars, since oxidization occurs every time a jar is opened, and the colour changes from the pristine white to a dull white over time. Total time 4 hours.

I have since learned that putting a layer of olive oil in the jar on top of the horseradish prevents oxidization, when using at the table. The horseradish is dug out with a small spoon keeping the olive oil present. A bit more oil can be added if too much is lost.

There is still a few 125 ml jars from 2007, and it is still in pristine condition.

19 July 2008 Dill (Anethum graveolens)

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?VTHBM 19 July 2008 Dill (Anethum graveolens)

A number of Dill plants are growing up the center of a carrot bed. When the seed head is formed the top will be cut, and used for in the jar when pickling cucumbers. The plants grew well.

Onions

I plant in very early Spring, as soon as the frost leaves the ground, and the soil can be worked. The bulbs are planted, but small seedlings are also successful, but grow longer to maturity. They are in full sun, in good soil well supplied with vegetative compost. When the bulbs start to bulge and rise above the ground I heavily mulch with wood chips. This tends to keep the top vegetation green longer than just exposing the bulbs, hence larger bulbs. And I keep the soil damp often with a watering can.

Onions are light sensitive- meaning they grow vigorous vegetation until the days shorten then they bulb; so maximum growth is essential at the beginning of the season by extending the time in the ground in early Spring.

I do grow the multiplier onions for early green use, and they also thrive.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?LKOKW 18 July 2008 Yellow Spanish Onions.

There is some controversy about allowing onion to bulge above the ground as they mature. The view is that they get larger, and have a less stinging flovour if exposed to sun.

I have two rows of Yellow Spanish Onions, and have covered one row of bulbs with light mulch and earth, and the other has all the earth removed down to the beginning of the root.

Both rows will be allowed to mature, and they will be judged as to size and taste, in an attempt to determine if the claims have any validity that is apparent.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?HKLFV 9 August 2008 Yellow Spanish Onions
Some of the exposed bulb onions had soft necks so were pulled today, and placed in the sun to dry completely.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?PLEUK 11 September 2008 Spanish Onions Harvested
today.
Onions are large and well shaped. They will be further dried and stored

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?QDFKW 28 September 2008 Spanish Onions dried for storage.
Next year as the onions bulge from the ground they will be covered with mulch. I notice the tops stay green longer, hence possibly larger bulbs. As to exposing to Sun to reduce the sting, I have drawn no conclusions, and will pursue the matter no further.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?NSUQX Summary: Onion Growing experience.

Short URL Services

There are many "free" short URL services on the Internet. I suggest using these third pary services places one at the mercy of these services. If they go down, which is often, all the links supplied are dead.

There is another way, which I recently incorporated on the SQL server of my Web Hosting Company. A Hosting Corporation is probably as reliable as the internet can become. This is simple software, easy to install, and totally under the owner's control.

Here is the URL to the software for those interested. http://www.gentlesource.com/short-url-script/

Example.

You get this: http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?CAEZO

Instead of this: http://www.durgan.org/2008/July%202008/14%20July%202008%20Sunflower%20(Helianthus)/HTML/

Crocosmia Lucifer

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?AVHAK 15 July 2008 Crocosmia Lucifer

This plant was purchased in a small pot in 2006. It gets larger every year. The Crocosmia Lucifer is the center piece for the ornamental grass bed. It sort of fits in with the grass vegetation. I expect a magnificient bloom this year.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?QTCUI 29 July 2008 Crocosmia Lucifer
In bloom.

Echinacea, Purple Coneflower

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?EHJRJ 15 July 2008 Echinacea, Purple Coneflower

The "rocket' flower rises every year, and spreads slightly. I always look for its return each year.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?CUJQT 30 July 2008 Echinacea, Purple Coneflower In full bloom.

Cleome, spiderflower (Cleome hassleriana)

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?IKZOX 15 July 2008 Cleome, spiderflower (Cleome hassleriana)
Grown from seed. This plant is available in several colours.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?ZZHWP 5 August 2008 Cleome, spiderflower (Cleome hassleriana)
The flower has the odour of a skunk. At first I use to think there was a skunk in the yard, but eventually found the odour was coming from the flower.

Sunflower (Helianthus)

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?CAEZO 14 July 2008 Sunflower (Helianthus)

There are four strong sunflower plants in the garden. The object is to have a large flower with many large seeds. I usually leave the heads for the birds.

Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?VYEXX 13 Juyly 2008 Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)

Thjis pretty plant usually gets touch by frost in May, but still blooms. It is cut back to ground level in the early Spring. The flower colour may be changed from pink to blue by modifying the pH by adding aluminium sulphate to the soil.

Ricinus communis (Castor bean)

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?LHEHW 13 July 2008 Ricinus communis (Castor bean) Red type
This plant is grown due to its tropical appearance with the large leaves. This plant started on 29 March 2008 indoors is doing well and should become quite large by the end of the season.The beans must be accounted for, since they are deadly if ingested. I pick them before they fall from the pod cluster.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?XIXCL 19 August 2008 Ricinus communis (Castor bean)
Plant is growing well, and seeds are forming.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?PAEAW 20 September 2008 Ricinus communis (Castor bean)
Some seed pods are ripe. The seeds have various patterns different on each large side of the bean. The plant is now over ten feet tall, and very healthy.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?CPVJL Summary: Ricinus communis (Castor bean) Red type

White Datura Inoxia (Devil's Trumpet)

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?KCUBS 13 July 2008 White Datura Inoxia (Devil's Trumpet)

A.k.a. Devil's Trumpet, Horn of Plenty, Downy Thorn Apple (Datura metel) thorn-apple, devil's apple, devil's trumpet, angel's trumpet, stinkweed, green dragon, apple of Peru, Jimson Weed; Devil's Apple; Thorn Apple; Stinkweed; Devil's Weed; Malpitte; Moonflower; Toloache.

This plant self-seeds, and I usually grow one or two, usually seeing how large I can make it grow.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?OHHBX 9 August 2008 White Datura Inoxia (Devil's Trumpet)
Many flowers, which last for one day.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?JSRAF Devil's Trumpet Seed Pods
This plant produces numerous seeds, and self seeds yearly.


http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?CQMAI Summary: White Datura Inoxia (Devil's Trumpet)

Ornamental Grass Bed

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?PHPHH 12 July 2008 Ornamental Grass Bed

These are perennial grasses. They are located in a relatively wet area, and thrive. The grasses are cut to ground level in early Spring.

Portulaca grandiflora

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?JJZFQ 12 July 2008 (Portulaca grandiflora)

Portulaca grandiflora- moss rose, garden portulaca, garden purslane. This plant self seeds in Zone 5. It makes a great fill in any flower bed, and its foliage is a great moisture retainer. Watering almost immediately destroys the plant. It thrives in droughty or very dry conditions.

Bee Balm - Monarda didyma.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?ZXPGX 9 July 2008 Bee Balm - Monarda didyma.

Flower colors - red, white, purple. I only have the purple (red?) in two large clumps. Bees favour this plant. Rhizomes propagation and it spreads a bit. I truly enjoy this plant.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?UPJVG 15 July 2008 Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
In full bloom

Adam's needle (Yucca filamentosa L)

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?UZPYZ 9 July 2008 Yucca filamentosa L. - Adam's needle
Two needles this year. This plant likes to be very dry.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?QGWDU 16 July 2008 Yucca filamentosa L. - Adam's needle
In full bloom.

Berry picking container

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?UXHVP 8 July 2008 Berry picking container.
The container is a small lunch thermos purchased at Wal-mart.

This container is used for most of my fruit picking. The container is a good size and the ridge around the top reduces spillage, if the container falls over. This is far superior to the ubiquitious tin can tied around the waist.

The baffle in the first picture can be left in place to from a further barrier in the event of tipping when full of fruit. This baffle only extends halfway down the container.

Practical Composting.

Practical Composting.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?WRHWG 20 June 2008 Practical Composting.

All garden waste is chopped into small pieces and placed in the composting bin. A bin must be readily accessible for placing waste into, and also for ease of removing, plus convenient for mixing. A block and a machete will suffice for chopping if the quantity doesn't warrant the expense of a chipper/shredder. The bin is rototilled for mixing purposes periodically. All vegetation is added until the Fall season, and left to brew until Spring, then put onto the garden beds. It takes a lot of vegetation to make any reasonable quantity of compost.

Urban compost initiatives are about selling silly containers, rather than a practical aim. From my 0.4 acre of garden the compost quantity is about four cubic yards, for all practical purposes almost nothing.

Kitchen vegetative waste should NEVER be put into an urban compost pile. It stinks, attracts rodents and insects, and is such a small quantity as to be useless.

Never turn a well working compost pile. Let it finish brewing then mix.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?APEVH 20 April 2008 Practical composting and use.

All vegetation is chopped on a block with a machette, or put through the chipper/shreddeer to make small pieces. This facilitates the brewing of the vegetation. The open end pile is easy to service for turning over, and for removing for placing on the garden beds. Five wheelbarrel loads were put on this bed and worked in with the Honda FG110 tiller. The effort from start to finish took one hour. Note: Eight wheelbarrow full are about one cubic yard.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?IIVET Summary: Practical Composting.

Spinach

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?XTKXY 7 July 2008 Picking Spinach.

There are about 14 plants well spaced. These plants have produced about 11 bunches of about 20 leaves in three pickings.

Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum)

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?FAKGU 7 July 2008 Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum)
One pretty dragonfly was observed hovering around the Shirley poppies. Its flight was fascinating in that is was almost a perfect helicopter.

Cabbage White Butterfly (Pieris rapae)

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?EZSNM 7 July 2008 Cabbage White Butterfly (Pieris rapae)

Imported from Europe about 1860. There is no other butterfly that is so successful over such a large variety of landscapes and climates. The caterpillar is highly destructive to the cabbage family, radishes, aand nasturiums, amongst other plants.

There are usually some in my garden and I destroy by catching in a net, and shooting with Malathion in flight, also wash their eggs off the cabbage family with water, when seen. Their offspring destroy brussel sprouts, and other members of the cabbage family. The butterfly is very quick and flies in a spiral path.

I consider the Cabbage White Butterfly one of my most irritating bugs.

Multiplier onions

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?RTEVQ 7 July 2008 Multiplier onions

The multiplier bulb produces onion bulbs in a circle inside the one bulb planted. Harvesting is by pulling the whole plant, when of sufficient size. The green so formed bulbs are separated and the green shoots produced are eaten as green onions. These are easily grown.

Knee Pads with Flexible Joint, and Weeding Tool

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?SVYXH 24 September 2007 Knee Pads with Flexible Joint.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?CFVQV 4 July 2008 Knee Pads and Weeding Tool.

These Knee Pads don't slip down the leg in use, and basically stay in place when getting up and down. The flexible joint is the key to not slipping down the leg.They cost about $25.00 and are practicable and useful for gardening, and any other vocation requiring the wearer to kneel. An added plus is the knee area of clothing remains clean. The padding is sufficient for any rough surface. I usually put them on when working in the garden, and it is a joy to kneel down when required. These pads button on with a simple elastic strap. Don't leave home with out a pair.

The common type usually available in stores is for all practical purposes is difficult to use, since they slip out of position, when getting down and up and walking around. The common variety without the flexible joint costs about $7.00, so there is quite a price differential.

The weeding tool is useful for those hard to remove weeds and tuffs of grass with strong numerous roots.

Elephant ears. Colocasia esculenta

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?OSAXW 3 July 2008 Elephant ears. Colocasia esculenta

I tend this plant carefully, since I want it to get as large as possible. To date, it is doing well.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?DDQKS 6 August 2008 Elephant ears. Colocasia esculenta
Growth. The recent heavy rains damaged the leaves a bit.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?FQLCF 4 September 2008 Elephant ears. Colocasia esculenta
Healthy and growing well.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?OFGLW 9 October 2008 Elephant ears (Colocasia esculenta)
Frost has arrived, so the roots were dug today, and now I have to decide how to cook as an experiment. This is my first experience with cooking the roots.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?AQDQH 9 October 2008 Cooking Elephant ears (Colocasia esculenta)
Wash the tubers well, peel them, and boil them until they become tender (20 minutes in a Pressure Cooker). Then bake them in the oven at about 350 F for half an hour to 45 minutes. The first cooking process denatures the oxalate crystals, and the second converts the starch to something digestible.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?BEAQX 10 October 2008 Mature Tuber of Elephant ear or Taro (Colocasia esculenta)
My plant only produced one mature tuber, due to the shortness of the season in Zone 5.


http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?HOJAV Summary: Elephant ears. Colocasia esculenta

Vegetable Garden

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?WZUOD 3 July 2008 Vegetable Garden

Zeus and Helios are quarrelling, and Helios has been losing during the last two months. May, and June have been relatively cold, compared to last year. Some of my early plantings were not successful. One advantage is the bugs are not as evident this year.

Orange Daylily (Hemerocallis fulva)

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?VSMXV 2 July 2008 Orange Daylily (Hemerocallis fulva)

Ubiquitious lily native to Asia often seen in the wilds of North America. Many parts of this plant are utilized for human food. I often eat the flowers when newly opened. This plant is contained by a trench around the clump. It appears every year with little care required.

Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum superbum)

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?YZDMX 2 July 2008 Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum superbum)

The foliage is attractive and remains green all season, and the flowers are on long stems, which are quite strong-meaning the plant doesn't droop. The cluster gets a litle larger each year.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?EMWQK 12 July 2008 Bee on Daisy
The bee goes from small segment of the flower to the next.

Latin names for Plants

Plant names can be and are confusing. With the internet, looking up the Latin name is relatively easy. Now after the Latin name is found, how do you pronounce it? Here is a site that solves this issue, for those that are interested.

http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/pguide/pronunciation-guide-to-botanical-latin.aspx

Hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos)

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?QOSIP 1 July 2008 Hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos)

There is one plant in the garden, and it has many red blooms in season. The plant was on the property when purchased five years ago, and it blooms (red) every year without fail. These hibiscus tend to be the very last plant to reappear in spring. At first it appears to be dead, then when the soil is warm enough it shoots up. It is pruned to the ground in the Fall, and I cover it with some fine compost for fertilizer. I place a string around the plant about one-third up the stalks, since during a heavy rain, the stalks can be bent to the ground due to the weight.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?PZGDZ 7 August 2008 Hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) In Bloom

Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?XNCYP 1 July 2008 Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

Basil with its aroma and flavor, is one of the most popular and widely grown herbs in the world. There are four plants in the garden. The flowering buds should be pinched off to encourage the plant to bush. A plant gets quite large at the end of the season.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?EQUPB 20 July 2008 Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
The four plants are producing more than can be utilized.