The closer you look, the more you see.
gynaikothrips uzeli
Tag: garden
phyllocnistis citrella
The citrus leafminer is a very small, light coloured moth that arrived in California from Mexico in 2000 and has now spread throughout most of California. I’ve never seen an adult, but the larval action is very evident in my yard, especially on the young lime trees. They only infest fresh growth, which of course is just about all a little tree has!
I’ve been removing the affected leaves, but today I read that it’s not a good idea, because it just creates even more fresh growth for the larvae to mine. Apparently the insects will die off over the cooler months; here’s hoping, too, that natural predators come along to help create balance.
leucocoprinus birnbaumii
Lately there’s been a few different types of mushrooms popping up in the straw mulch. I’m no mycologist, and I’d like to learn more. This one’s not going to make it to our dinner plates!
vacation casualty
Most of the cacti in the bathroom bay window survived a month without water just fine. But this one’s looking a little worse for wear.
home again
Ah, so good to be picking dinner from the garden again. Travelling is nice, but so is coming home.
wendy’s secret garden
Wendy Whiteley’s secret garden has been on my to-visit list for years. It was just as magical as I’d expected.
last minute plantings
Yesterday I popped some seedlings into the remaining gaps in the veggie beds, with hopes of October meals. This morning, the mizuna has been entirely eaten by slaters. That’s a problem to solve on our return. Today we fly!
punica granatum
The fruits have a long maturity time; hopefully this one can hang on for the requisite months.
psidium cattleyanum
Our strawberry guava tree is busting out all over with fruit in varying stages of ripeness. We usually leave them for the birds to eat, though sometimes I’ll gather enough to extract a cup or two of juice. We preferred the lemon guava, but sadly that tree died after a few spectacular crops.
When looking up its Latin name, I learned that Psidium cattleyanum is (a) named for English horticulturist William Cattley (1788 – 1835) and (b) considered the most invasive plant in Hawaii. So many unintended consequences, when we move biota around the world.
baby veggies
Baby bok choy, kale, zucchini, and purple beans. Just a few, in the stew.
hashiworks 