Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Bloomin' Tuesday- Garden mascots and a new salad greens bed started



Here is the huge cantaloupe plant my son brought home a few months ago. It spread and spread but only produced one melon that has gotten to be any size. Over the weekend I pulled all of this out, except for the main plant and the strands that go up the far wall, climbing the "Cats Claw" vine. In that little hanging clump is the one melon, still not much bigger than a softball, but I had to leave it just to see what happens.




Here is the main plant, after the rest of the mess was removed.



Once the cantaloupe was removed I discovered two small strawberry plants and a couple of spiders hiding under the mess! I had forgotten they were even in there.

The newly cleared bed is planted (around those 2 strawberry plants) with a mix of 7 salad greens, and spinach. Of course you can't see it yet, but give it a couple weeks and there should be green sprouts everywhere! I haven't done many veggies yet, so this should be fun!




And here is that baby cantaloupe hiding in the mass of Cats Claw- do you think I'll ever taste this one?




And some blooms for Bloomin Tuesday! Although I tend to have a real mix of plant types in my yard, I do try and keep the big front area limited to plants that once established will not require much water. I am sometimes amazed at how well these plants can do, compared to those that I have to plant and then baby along. This little Ruella brittoniana (Mexican Petunia) was just planted last weekend and it is sending out blooms like crazy! Not one sign of transplant shock in this little guy, and he is smack in the middle of an unshaded sunny area. Makes me think I should stick more to the native plants.




And finally my new garden mascots! I bought these down in Mexico the other day. I love the little deer guy- I think that is what he is supposed to be anyway!



Have a wonderful Bloomin' Tuesday everyone!

To visit other Bloomin Tuesday posts and to join yourself just visit "Ms Green Thumb Jean's".

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's lovely to see your blooms from such a different climate than mine. Your mascots are so cute! And I love the blue petunia.

Unknown said...

That is so cool, all of it....Yum strawberry plants.

A Colorful World said...

Love your kachina and your roadrunner!

Aiyana said...

I think your cantalope is a little late! The Ruella brittoniana is lovely. Mine was in full bloom yesterday--I suppose I should have had those for Bloomin' Tuesday, but I've featured them before. Love your little deer guy. I like this syle--iron and rocks. I have a bird like that. Not sure what species it represents! I guess that's what makes these cute.
Aiyana

Anne Fannie said...

Hello Dee, Your garden is starting to come alive after all that HOT weather is fading away! I use to live in Arizona and one of the times I remember is going to a field and picking huge fresh cantaloupes! They were so sweet! I hope yours does the same because they love that Arizona fall weather!
Love, Ann

Anonymous said...

Your little cantelope looks great, I hope he gets bigger soon so you can harvest him. I love the Mexican Petunia, what a great shade of blue. Good luck with your fall veggie garden! And your new garden mascots have a wonderful patina that adds whimsy to your yard. :)

Jean said...

Love the garden art! Too cute! The blue petunias and lovely. I sure hope that melon tasts good! Happy Bloomin' Tuesday! Jean

Anonymous said...

Your new garden mascots are so cool! Love the little blue petunia!

Manuela

Anonymous said...

Very nice garden views - and I love both the mascots - the deer looks like one of those ancient rock paintings.

Sweetie said...

I love your blooms. It's a fun experience learning about blooms growing in a different climate. I never imagined a cantalope growing in such a dry area - and even strawberry plants. I think that your garden mascot is fabulous!
Sweetie

Suzanne said...

Love your mascots and the petunias are such a pretty color. Hope the cantalope tastes great!

Anonymous said...

Just stopped by to visit your blog and loved seeing all your flowers and mascots!

Julie said...

Such nice changes in the garden! I love native plants...trouble and worry free, generally! The Mexican Petunia is so pretty! Love your new garden art as well!