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Abundant Herbal Chaos and Frantic Knitting

Category: Miscellaneous | Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2018 8:50 am

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Ah, yes. There was an overabundance of Basil and Spearmint here. I inadvertently allowed the Aerogarden plants a little too much time between trimmings and this is the result. It could be far worse but, if I am to harvest this garden long-term, I must keep them properly trimmed.


Now that they are trimmed, I am watching them like a Harpy Eagle and waiting for the next moment to strike with my cutting tools.



Basils and Spearmint - 5 June 2018 ( photo / image / picture from xantedeschia's Garden )


With my free time, I've been knitting this sweater. I am now, roughly, half finished with the first sleeve. I am hoping to get this first sleeve completed by the end of today. Though, in truth, I dread knitting on the Double Pointed Needles. It isn't that I'm incapable of using them effectively. I've just spoiled myself rotten using small diameter circular needles and/or the Magic Loop method of knitting.


However, sentimentality tugs at my heartstrings in this instance. A good friend of mine sent me the gift of a knitting needle set. I would like to close my sweater off using needles from this set in a gesture of friendship and appreciation.


I will use them eventually. Not right now though.



Flax Sweater Mir Ist Kalt - 7 June 2018 ( photo / image / picture from xantedeschia's Garden )


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Basil Forever and Other Tidbits...

Category: Miscellaneous | Posted: Sat May 26, 2018 6:38 am

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It is said that Basil is the King of Herbs. It certainly rules around here lately. I have three varieties growing in my Aerogarden. Cinnamon Basil, Lettuce Leaf Basil, and Large Leaf Italian Basil.



In addition to this, I have some Spearmint growing in the Aerogarden as well.



17 May 2018 - 3 Basils and 1 Spearmint ( photo / image / picture from xantedeschia's Garden )


I could have filled this void with yet more basil but I figured I'd try something different in the Aerogarden even if only to break up the monopoly the basils had. The Spearmint grows incredibly fast and easily holds its own against the three Basils. Though I do have to keep the Lettuce Leaf Basil trimmed to keep it from blocking the light.



For anyone curious about the sweater I posted about previously, I am currently working on the sleeves of my blue Flax sweater, Mir Ist Kalt. In this stifling heat, it is not the most fun of tasks but it is worth it to see the stitches getting done round by round as my garment edges closer and closer to completion.






16 May 2018 Blue Flax Sweater One Sleeve Incomplete ( photo / image / picture from xantedeschia's Garden )



I think that's about it. Good night, all. :)


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Progression on Two Fronts

Category: Miscellaneous | Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2018 2:45 am

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I have made some progress with the Mir Ist Kalt sweater. I am a mere inch and a half from closing the body of the sweater out. From there, I'll start the sleeves.



Mir Ist Kalt Sweater 02-09-18 ( photo / image / picture from xantedeschia's Garden )


On the plant front, I am ripening a whole container of Mega Cherry Tomatoes. This is my first full harvest of the year and it looks to be a good one. At first, I thought the tomatoes weren't going to turn but they once again astounded me with their amazing abilities. From full-on green, they began to take on the familiar rosy color of a blushing ripening tomato fruit. Now one is all but completely red while the others are fast approaching the same color.



Mega Cherry Tomatoes 02-17-18 ( photo / image / picture from xantedeschia's Garden )



Just a quick post. I hope everyone is doing well and having a happy time.

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Freak Leaf, Pineapple Plant Gifting and Sweater

Category: Miscellaneous | Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2017 5:42 pm

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I've finally cut that freakishly long/tall leaf from my Snake Plant. Now that it is separated from the parent plant, I'm going to cut it up, dip it in rooting hormone, pot it all, and hope for the best.



I am also giving one of the Pineapple plant babies away. The larger they get, the more I realize that I can only sustain one. So, one is going to one of the secretaries at one of the doctor's offices I go to regularly. I get the feeling that she'll not take care of it the way I have and I'm bracing myself for being a witness to this. So, we'll see.



In the non-plant news, I am making a sweater. It is a pattern called the Flax Sweater by a knitting duo called Tin Can Knits. The working name I'm giving my variation is "Mir Ist Kalt" due to my wanting to practice German as well as it being super cold in this house due to having to deal with the dueling banjos of the air conditioner during the Summer months when I first conceived of making this sweater. Two people were vying to make it as cold as humanly possible in this house without consulting with the third person, that person being me.



Flax Sweater - Mir Ist Kalt - 16 October 2017 ( photo / image / picture from xantedeschia's Garden )


It is a top-down Raglan, made with TARDIS blue yarn. The yarn I'm using is Knit Picks - Wool of the Andes Worsted in the colorway Winter Night. Thus far, I have knit enough to where I am in the round and knitting the body of the sweater. I have yet to try anything on yet.


About the only other thing happening during this Halloween-mas is a sudden fruit bonanza on my Sweet Pickle Organic Pepper plant. Meh.


I hope you're all having a fantastic year thus far. Enjoy yourselves. :)







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In Love With Twiddling My Thumbs...

Category: Miscellaneous | Posted: Fri May 19, 2017 3:52 pm

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So, I am in perpetual wait mode for the community garden plot. While I am sitting here, I figured I might as well get some crocheting and other things done in the meantime.


I planted the 'Lettuce Leaf' variety of Basil. That's just starting to come up. All the other plants, the Pineapples, Peppers, Tomatoes, etc are self-sustaining with very little input from me.


Months ago, I also started an Avocado pit. That's now growing beautifully in a pot, on my windowsill.


The Snake plant now rivals me in height. The Spider plant is growing out of the pot.


So, twiddling my thumbs about what to do, I decided to crochet something I haven't worked on since December 2016.


This is the In Love With Color Throw designed by Jessie Rayot.




In Love With Color Throw - May 2017 ( photo / image / picture from xantedeschia's Garden )


It took me ages to finish piecing this together and putting the border on. Now, everyone is laying claim to it/offering to buy it off of me.


No.


Mine.


LOL.



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Gardening Central

Category: Hydroculture | Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2017 12:32 am

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Currently, I have two babies growing in my Aerogarden of Serendipity.

One is a new pod of an old friend. The Mega Cherry Tomato, unfortunately, had to replace the third pod due to the failure of the seeds in the originally installed pod to germinate. I think they may just have been too old or not mature enough or something like that.




Mega Cherry Tomato Plant 8 March 2017 ( photo / image / picture from xantedeschia's Garden )



The other plant taking up space is a wild card. It is, even now, an unknown variable within the workings of the Aerogarden. The Sweet Pickle Organic Pepper plant has been growing the longest in the Aerogarden and is already at the point where it is blooming profusely.



Sweet Pickle Organic Pepper Flower 9 March 2017 ( photo / image / picture from xantedeschia's Garden )






Sweet Pickle Organic Pepper Plant 8 March 2017 ( photo / image / picture from xantedeschia's Garden )






Aerogarden of Serendipity 8 March 2017 ( photo / image / picture from xantedeschia's Garden )



For my part, I haven't been up to much stuff that's plant related. Just re-potting the pineapples and starting some Avocados.


Still waiting on the Not So Secret Garden plot to become available. Hopefully, something will come through soon. As much as my Asthma and Allergies are averse to being around such places, I could do with the extra growing space for food. Especially now.


Thank you for reading. Take care and be well.

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Sweet Pickle Organic Peppers RISING!!!

Category: Hydroculture | Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2017 4:08 pm

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I have "planted" a new garden in the Aerogarden of Serendipity and, on today of all days, I received proof of life from one of the grow pods. I must say, it cheered me up considerably.


The seeds I planted were Sweet Pickle Organic Pepper from Park Seed and, so far, they appear to be growing very well in the Aerogarden. I started a Grow Your Own seedpod kit on 9 January 2017 and when I peeked in this morning, I saw the telltale sign of one of the seedlings sprouting upwards from the peat pod.


Needless to say, I'm incredibly happy right now.


My plans for these peppers, depending on their flavor, are to use them in soups, salads, sandwiches, and kimchi as well as eating them as a snack.

Last edited: Fri Jan 20, 2017 4:12 pm

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Pretty Cool Stuff

Category: Miscellaneous | Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2016 1:01 am

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A random person commented on my one of my Aerogarden videos today.

Given that he's (?) Garden minded, I naturally recommended Garden Stew to him. Seems like a nice person.

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Snow Falls Silently On Tomatoes...

Category: Hydroculture | Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2016 3:15 am

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...Sort of. I have more than fifty Mega Cherry Tomatoes coming in and I'm eagerly anticipating eating them on the Winter Solstice or thereabouts.




Aerogarden Mega Cherry 9 December 2016 ( photo / image / picture from xantedeschia's Garden )


To allow for air circulation, I pruned the plants back somewhat brutally the other day. The leaves were really thick in some places, to the point of collecting moisture and causing some of the tomatoes to split open. I got to them before any real damage was done.


Now, all I can do is wait. They're all green for the moment. They're the right color for cup ripening but I think I will wait for them to ripen on the vine this time around.


Other than this, nothing much is happening. All the other plants are doing well. I am doing well. I am currently knitting and crocheting things and keeping busy while I wait, rather impatiently, for the Not So Secret Garden to become available.


About the only change that has occurred is that my friend, who was going to give me rides to and from the garden site in exchange for some of the produce, has moved out of state.


So, I'm now scrambling to figure out how I'm going to lug my potential bountiful harvest home or my tools there. I've been looking on Amazon for utility wagons and found a few that might be suitable. It's just a question of:


1. Finances

2. Distance

Money was tight enough before but dropping over $100 USD on a wagon, while it might be a sound investment, is financially painful.


I've also got to walk the distance from home to the garden site and back again with a wagon, laden down with several pounds worth of produce, as well as my tools, in all weather and all traffic conditions.


I've got to figure out a way around this.

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And So It Begins...

Category: Hydroculture | Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2016 5:45 pm

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I think, that is, it is quite possible, that I am beginning to see the first rosy blush of rouge upon my babies.


Well, one of them, at any rate. You tell me. Mind you, it was dark in my room when I took this picture.




Aerogarden Mega Cherry Tomato Closeup 15 September 2016 ( photo / image / picture from xantedeschia's Garden )


It could be just wishful thinking/hoping/pleading with the multiverse.


You see, the plant is overburdened with fruit and I am too attached to remove some for the benefit of the majority.





Aerogarden Mega Cherry Tomato All One Side 15 September 2016 ( photo / image / picture from xantedeschia's Garden )


The other part of it is, I've never seen Cherry tomatoes quite this large before. They're as big, if not bigger than a walnut. I wish I had a walnut for comparison to show people.


With the temperatures in my room being what they are (80F+), I don't see these ripening quickly without drastic action. To that end, I'm going to risk the high electricity bill and run my Air Conditioning for a few hours per day to see if it makes a difference in the process.


That's about it for now. Thanks for reading. Have a fantastic day. :)





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