Summer Harvest

I'd like you to meet my little garden buddy. Last month I found this little guy right outside my front door. He was just hanging out. I'm not sure how he survives here in the desert, but I'll take him. I am pretty sure he lives in my garden. I think I found him out there last year but he was much smaller then.

Our backyard has undergone a BIG transformation in the past year. When we moved in last year it was a blank slate... at least that is how they try and sell it to you. The previous owner hadn't touched a single thing. One of my favorite things in the yard is our garden. We have a garden at the side of the house and then David built me some garden boxes.

I wasn't sure what to plant or when... so I watched the local fields to see what they were up to. When they planted corn, I planted corn. I have to say I did guess on some of the planting but I am learning lots. I also make lots of calls to my mom. She has the most amazing garden. That is yet another thing my mom does that amazes me. She lives in Yuma (armpit of America) and she can get things to grow all year long. My hero and my gardening almanac.

Besides food I also wanted to plant some pretty things... just for pretty's sake. And what is a garden without a little fountain?! I love to sit out there and just watch the kids play and listen to the water (except when it is so dang hot). Around my fountain I planted several things but the black potato vine kinda took over. That is okay though... it looks nice.

Not many things have survived all the heat and weather. One sturdy plant that has, however, is the jalapeno plant. I actually have three HUGE plants out there. They just get bigger and bigger. The best part is that we don't really love peppers. Anyone want to barter? I should learn how to make and can salsa... then we'd really be in business. We had a cucumber plant next to it, but it cooked. Not really sure what happened to it, but we did get a whopping 3 cucumbers from it before it dried up to nothingness.

We have learned lots about jalapenos in the process too. Did you know that they start out green, but if you don't pick them they change to red. The less green and more red they become the hotter they are. Interesting eh?

I also have several grape vines going. I really need to get something out there for them to hang on to and vine up. It is just to dang hot to work out in the garden right now. All the vines are still young and won't produce any fruit for at least another year, but they sure are beautiful.
Here is my attempt at corn. I am pretty sure that the type I planted needed to be planted earlier. They got tiny ears of corn, but never got much bigger. I think it got to hot to fast for them. Note for next year I guess. It did a nice job of covering the wall with green. They are all dried up now so I am thinking of cutting them off at the base and making them into a bundle to stand next to the front door as a fall decoration. Perhaps?
Watermelon! I had never tried this one before. I had no idea what the leaves looked like either. Such a pretty plant. So far there have been two watermelons. I must admit it is pretty cool.
And then cantaloupe. We have 5 fruit on the vine that I have found. These plants have gone wild and taken over the whole side of the yard. The kids love to go check on their progress and can't wait to pick them. I need to do some research to figure out how to tell if they are ripe.
I also have learned that I need to be more aware of how much water a plant needs. I planted zuchinni and pumpkins with cantaloupe and one takes lots more water than the rest. They are all on a drip hose that waters them all so I can't adjust the water. Another note for next year I guess.
Pic: Jalapenos... mild and HOT!

Alexis helped pick the watermelon. I'm not sure it is ready. It was nice and red inside, but the flavor wasn't super sweet. I'm not sure if it is just because of the variety or if it needed more time on the vine. More research to do I guess.
I love gardening and seeing an actual result. Now if only it wasn't a bajillion degrees outside. Only a few more months until we have the best weather around, right?