Whiskey Good

I don’t particularly like whiskey but I love whiskey barrels. I have been looking for wine barrels for the past few years to use as planters. It is very difficult to get used wine barrels in Central Florida. We have very few wineries and it is very expensive to have barrels shipped here. You can imagine that I was ecstatic when I learned that a local big box store is now carrying whiskey barrels (which are essentially the same). It took three visits and 3 different locations for me to commit to buying one. On the first visit, I was just curious. Are these good for planting? Why does the sign say keep moist and in the dark? On the second visit, it was raining. I didn’t feel like dealing with putting the barrel in my car in the rain. On the final visit, I was finally able to get the nerve to ask someone to help me get one down from the huge pile. I also asked for assistance to help me lift it in the car. However I ended up getting impatient and loading the barrel in my car by myself.

When reaching home, I lifted my barrel out of the car (which now smells like a country bar) and dropped it in the general area that I wanted to keep it. I decided to water it down in order to keep it moist as per the instructions (If allowed to be empty or dry, the metal rings will tend to come loose). After pouring water in I realized the thing needed drainage holes. I enlisted my husband to do the drilling. He drilled two holes before I realized that they were not big enough. I needed a different kind of drill bit. After another trip to a big box store, I was ready to drill again. This time I drilled my own holes. Go me!

From Photo Challenge

The barrel was rolled back to it’s final resting place and filled with some organic potting mix. I planted tomato plant, one pepper seeding, one eggplant seeding, one basil plant, and two small dill plants. I added some drip irrigation tubes that were free. Now all I can do is wait and see what survives. The back corner of my yard now has a rosemary and whiskey fragrance.

From Photo Challenge

Fall Planting Time

We have figs…

From Photo Challenge

And muscadine grapes ….

From Photo Challenge

Getting the garden in shape
Today was the first day of the awesomeness that is called fall. Finally we got a break from the heat and I took this opportunity to get some gardening done.

First I cleared all the dead plants out of one of the square foot gardens to make room for young healthy plants. I kept one tomato plant and some borage (for companion planting).

From Photo Challenge

Next I added some peat moss and compost to the soil that already existed in the bed. I additionally threw in some Perlite I had sitting in the garage. Perlite helps aerate the soil.

From Photo Challenge

I planted half a dozen random tomato plants, a squash, and a watermelon (totally out of season – this is an experiment). In between the tomatoes, I planted random small plants in a survival of the fittest fashion. It will be interesting to see what survives the next few weeks. Eggplants, basil, and corn are in this group. Finally I staked the tomatoes to prepare for the growth.

From Photo Challenge

Infirmary

Here is what is leftover from my summer seedlings and purchases. I have them in what I now call the infirmary. They are sickly and need constant care. What survives out of this group will fill later holes in the garden and share the cool weather garden with the leafy greens.

From Photo Challenge

Score!

Today I was able to witness the final stage of the butterfly life cycle. One of the Swallowtail butterflies decided to stop in and hangout for a bit on the tree that served as its host. Notice in the background an empty pupa that was home to either him or one of his friends.

From Photo Challenge

He was very patient while I excitedly snapped photo after photo of him. I love his under wing coloring.

From Photo Challenge

Finally, he got tired of me harassing him and flew off. Luckily I got this motion photo.

From Photo Challenge

Photo Challenge: Day 25 – Framing

This was an example of framing using natural light. I was in a cave that was part of the Sutro Baths in San Francisco, California. There was a cave opening that allowed water to flow in and out. I took this opportunity to practice some framing. It is not a traditional frame but a frame no less.

From Photo Challenge

Photo Challenge: Day 24 – Storybook illustration

This photo was taken on one of the trails that are near the Sutro Baths in San Francisco, California. I thought these trees had a great look to them. While editing the photo I created what looks very similar to an illustration you would see in a storybook.

From Photo Challenge