Author: Brandon Moeller

Nom nom hansel eggplant nom nom nom

Who knew I could get this excited about eggplant? And, who knew the small little plant I bought would turn into such a fruit-wielding monster?

Here's a shot of the monster from today, after it finally stopped raining.
Here's a shot of the monster from today, after it finally stopped raining.

I planted the thing up against the fence, planning for it to grow up and be happy. I didn’t know it would instead grow out, and be happy. I’m happy, because on Tuesday, I was able to add my first eggplant to a chicken-mushroom-bell-pepper-and-rice casserole I made for Kim for dinner.

The first harvest!
The first harvest!
There's a lot more where that came from!
There's a lot more where that came from!

Week Eleven

Photos from the eleventh week in the garden are up, spanning May 23-29, and have been tagged "Week Eleven" in my Gardening 2010, Part Two album in my Picasa Web Albums. To see the original bed photos — in a slideshow from week to week — visit my Gardening 2010 photo album on Facebook.

The purple coneflower is blooming!
The purple coneflower is blooming!
We'll have some tabasco peppers soon, though I don't know what we'll do with them.
We'll have some tabasco peppers soon, though I don't know what we'll do with them.
The obligatory shot of the original bed in week eleven.
The obligatory shot of the original bed in week eleven.

Eggplant: Coming soon to dinner

We’re about to have some four-inch hansel eggplant for dinner, soon. (I’ve been told to pick them at about this size, for the best flavor).

There are at least two fruits on a very healthy plant that keeps growing and blooming. I’ve relocated two pots that were in its proximity to encourage its continued growth.

First blooms of the eggplant, May 16.
First blooms of the eggplant, May 16.
Before the fruit comes, May 20.
Before the fruit comes, May 20.
The fruit and a frog, May 27
The fruit and a frog, May 27
More flowers mean more fruit, May 27
More flowers mean more fruit, May 27

This week’s new blooms

In case anyone’s keeping track, this is the fourth post I’ve written today, but it’s to make up for not blogging since last Thursday.

It’s been my goal to post something every weekday, but because of recent developments – all of which have been good – I’ve been a little preoccupied. But I have been sure to post-date these four posts so that it Appears I’ve been blogging faithfully. But not last Friday – let’s just call that one a blog furlough day.

Onward and upward, people, there’s been a lot of new blooms in the garden this week.

First, let’s take a look at the Psyche Mix cosmos which started to explode in color.

A white cosmos psyche mix, about to bloom, shot on May 23.
A white cosmos psyche mix, about to bloom, shot on May 23.
The same bud, shot on May 25.
The same bud, shot on May 25.
And, ka-bloom. A white cosmos on a very large and staked plant, shot today.
And, ka-bloom. A white cosmos on a very large and staked plant, shot today.
This magenta cosmos from the psyche mix seed packet was actually the first to bloom, earlier this week.
This magenta cosmos from the psyche mix seed packet was actually the first to bloom, earlier this week.
Here's a shot of the magenta psyche cosmos from today.
Here's a shot of the magenta psyche cosmos from today.
Also to bloom this week were some baby breath, I think, from the mixed cut wildflower seed packet.
Also to bloom this week were some baby breath, I think, from the mixed cut wildflower seed packet.
Also, the vinca that re-volunteered itself in Kim's bed from last year finally bloomed. The first two that came up, however, I moved to a container then put back in the bed extension. Those aren't growing as quickly as the ones that were left alone.
Also, the vinca that re-volunteered itself in Kim's bed from last year finally bloomed. The first two that came up, however, I moved to a container then put back in the bed extension. Those aren't growing as quickly as the ones that were left alone.

Other blooms soon to open will be a the purple coneflower which stuck around from last year, as well as some night and day snapdragons and more random wildflowers.

New additions, thanks to Uncle Bennie

Kim’s Uncle Bennie is a real gardener. With a greenhouse and rows of tomatoes, his favorite crop. All in his backyard.

I’ve learned a lot from him at family gatherings when the conversation strays into horticulture territory.

This week, he surprised us with four superfluous plants from his collection, two tomatoes and two peppers.

The new additions: The tall tomato, the short tomato, the short pepper and the tall pepper.
The new additions: The tall tomato, the short tomato, the short pepper and the tall pepper.
The tall tomato
The tall tomato
Where I placed the tall tomato
Where I placed the tall tomato
The small tomato
The small tomato
Where I placed the short tomato.
Where I placed the short tomato.
The tall pepper
The tall pepper
Where I placed the tall pepper
Where I placed the tall pepper
The short pepper
The short pepper
Where I placed the short pepper
Where I placed the short pepper

Thanks again, Uncle Bennie and Aunt Kathy for the plants – I’m sure I’ll have a lot of fun trying my hand at them and I’m sure I’ll learn a lot from them, too!