Seed Dreaming: Amazing Native Corn Variety

I came across this on Mother Earth News and haven't been this excited about seeds since... last winter!  A man in the Southwest US has been carefully saving from extinction a beautiful corn variety now dubbed Glass Gem.  I've been thinking about growing some of the ornamental varieties of corn since seeing a blood red ear (and husk!) at a farm several years ago.  Glass Gem is at another level.  Look through the image gallery for some of the gorgeous color variations that have been cultivated.

As it turns out, there are many varieties of heirloom corn that are colorful and edible.  While Glass Gem may be hard to come by this year (Native Seeds has a waiting list) there are quite a few alternatives out there.  Shop for some at Native Seeds or Seeds Trust and grow an ear of American History!

My Favorite Jersey City Maple

This tree always puts on a spectacular fall show. This year did not disappoint.

2012 Pumpkin Review Spectacular

I have a modest collection this year. What it lacks in numbers it makes up for in personality. The dark warty specimen is new for me. Last week I ate a few of the smaller varieties before documentation so you'll have to imagine an acorn and a delicata on the mantle.

What do you think of that big stem?!

Mao Mao Shoot Pt. 3

Mao Mao Shoot Pt. 2

Mao Mao Shoot Pt. 1

Lazy Cat and New Kitten

The white cat is one of the garden's regulars. There's a whole troupe of white and gray and white and black and just plain black cats running around there. They've all been fixed (except one newcomer adult male) and are fed daily by a few dedicated cat lovers.

We think the new kitten was dumped about a month ago. He's fitting right in with the rest of the bunch, eating and playing with whomever can stomach the company of a rambunctious kitten. Before I photographed him, we played for a while with a grass tassel. He's adorable and playful but still distrustful of humans. In a few months that will probably change and with regular contact I'm sure the process would go even faster. Yesterday he was nose to nose with one of the kind souls who brings food and you could see curiosity almost trumping fear.

The man asked if I knew of anyone on the market for a kitten. So I'm getting the word out that this little gray tabby is looking for a home before the cold weather sets in! If we can't find someone, a local pet shop offered to show him off in a cage in his store to find an adoptee. That might scare the fluff out of the little guy but it's better than life on the streets.

More updates to come when they're available.

Munching Monarchs

Monarch butterfly caterpillars have been on my carrot tops all summer. Yesterday two fat ones were munching away. In the past I've moved them to the designated Butterfly Garden but this time I just let them be. I don't know if they winter over. They were really enjoying the carrot greens so I was happy to share!

The rest of the garden is winding down. I pulled all but one sunflower and the last cherry tomato. I'm hoping the broccoli will produce florets in the spring.

The Fall Plot

After a week and a half hiatus I finally got to the garden and did some much needed editing. The sunflowers got a big haircut and two cherry tomato plants were culled. Another kale plant was harvested and the marigolds all got some attention. The cool weather has been wonderful and it has me thinking about my fall garden plans. I know I will plant more garlic for spring and keep the broccoli going through winter but I'm still brainstorming the rest. Updates will follow.

Cactus Fruit Agave Ale and Mixed Veggies

We're bottling our very experimental brew this evening.  The stuff floating on top is the cubed cactus fruit.  It was bright pinkish red when it first went in, then the beer turned red, then it turned black, and now it's a medium brown.  I've read mixed reviews of prickly pear beers so it will be a surprise tonight when we sneak a taste.  It will carbonate in the bottles and be ready for drinking in a couple weeks.

I removed one of the kale plants this morning to free up some space in the plot.  I also pulled and thinned the carrots and moved a hot pepper into a sunnier spot.  Between the fig tree behind my plot and the massive sunflowers in my plot, I'm battling shade and trying to maximize my season.  Two of the three cherry tomato plants are next on the list to go.  They haven't been super productive and I'm trying to make room for late season crops.  The broccoli plants are finally bulking up and turning purple (they are Purple Sprouting Broccoli, after all) so they could use more room.  I might have to say goodbye to one of the sunflower trees. 

This morning I sowed beet, lettuce, and bean seeds to see if I can get some in before winter.  Last year we had an extended mild fall.  If we get the same thing this year, I should be able to get a few salads out of the planting.