Sunday, July 5, 2009

The munchies.

After a heavy shower the weather turned hot and steamy here in Oklahomegrownvegland.
Nevertheless, the Happy Gardener had a task to do.
After reading about all these horrible bugs over at my friends wonderful blog called http://www.theinformalgardener.blogspot.com/ I discovered these buggers................
....Bagworms. And my Conifers and absolutely riddled with them.
They have probably been attacking these trees for ages but I didn't see them. They disguise themselves so well they look like part of the tree. That bag contains a caterpillar with a huge appetite and they are eating the trees at an amazing rate.
I broke out the sprayer and gave them a good coating of BTK but it may be too late for this year.
I can but try.
Here's the second of my munching problems............
....another type of Bagworm methinks. They live inside a huge web which is spun around the tree leaves and then go to work. These too got a spraying with the BTK.
Munchers number three are the birds and they have decided to eat....................
...or should I say "ruin" almost every apple on the Fuji tree. This I'm not too worried about but I'm hoping they leave me at least a couple so I can sample my efforts.
On the way back from the Fuji I call in at the wild Garlic......
....which is now setting bulbits.
I'll be gathering some of these later and spreading them around the garden.
The untended part of the garden which I purposely let grow wild............
....is in full greenery...
as can be seen in .....
....these shots. I like to leave this bit in the hands of Mother Nature and see what happens.
I think she's doing a pretty good job up to now. I'll take more pics another time.
On the Tomato front, I pulled a few from the Determinate plant..............
....as can be seen here. But I've been a little disappointed with this to be honest. The fruit seems too big for the size of the plant causing limbs to break in places. Also, the leaf coverage is inadequate causing some of the fruit to get sun scald.
The Cherry Tomatoes are everywhere.................
In the plot and......
....the containers.
The basil bush..................
...is romping on, as is................................
.....the Dill tree.
The Yolo Bell Peppers.......................
....are appearing at last though the plants aren't a patch on last years.
Still, there's time yet.
The Garlic crop has been pulled and I got around 17 heads, all of a pretty good size.
It's now curing in the sun. Well, it was until the rain started then I moved it into the garage.
The curing could take a couple of weeks.
Alvin sleeps on the patio, unaware of tomorrows early morning visit to the vet.
Poor "Little Al" has had some medical problems these last few weeks, pulling his hair out, loss of appetite and generally looking a bit out of sorts. He's had shots for allergies, treatment for worms, ear mites, tics, fleas, lice. You name it, Al's had it stuck in or on him and he's not too happy about all the attention. Tomorrow he's going for some blood work but don't tell him, eh?
In the meantime..........
.....Wilson and......


....Tommy offer moral support, all be it subliminally.
Enough!
Everyone's eating but me?
Tonight's dinner is.............

Roast Peppered Pork..............

....Garden Fresh Red Potatoes with Rosemary.......

.....and a little Kohlrabi Coleslaw on the side.
Enjoy!

1 comment:

miss m said...

Oh boy ! I don't know where to start. Let's see...

Welcome to the world of tree pests ! Always good to be on the look-out, eh ? Too bad about the fuji but it's OK to share a couple with the birds, as you say. ;)

Everything is looking fab !
The wild garlic is awesome. I LOVE your untended space. And, wow, that tom ripened overnight or what ?

That lunch is making me drool as always ! :P

And I hope Alvin feels better soon :( ... It's nice to see he's in good hands. :)