I was back in the dirt today.
Yesterday after going to the mall to return a pair of jeans, stopping at Target for misc. stuff and perusing the garden center, I came home and planted 8 jalapeno pepper plants in the main garden. I have NO idea how many peppers this will give me, but I want to try canning candied jalapenos this year. I wouldn't mind pickled jalapenos, too, but I haven't found a recipe for those yet. I am thinking I have some time. The new plants are planted next to 4 green pepper plants and 4 yellow pepper plants. (Hopefully...I started them from seed and you never can be too sure how many of those will come up.)
The day before, I had cleared a large area for the peppers and had also planted my squash and peas. I am doing a mixture of square foot gardening and traditional rows along with Ruth Stout's mulch method. Since I had just started the mulching process, I still had quite a bit of weeding to do. The garden has grass with roots that reach hell, I think. I don't know what it is called, but Ruth Stout mentioned a grass in her book called Witch Grass and if this isn't it, it should be called that, too. Being me, I just looked it up and no, that isn't it.
Today I planted oregano and strawberry plants next to established strawberry plants and rosemary in the side garden. I had a lot to weed and the edging material had sunk down almost even with the driveway, so I pulled all that up, reconnected it together, cleaned out the edge and repositioned it. I dug holes in the dirt where I wanted the plants to be and half refilled the holes with compost from under the rabbit hutch. The dirt under the hutch is black gold and I could hear the strawberry plants moaning in ecstasy when they were planted. I watered and then more of the compost was added to even out the soil. I swept leaves along the garden bed and sides of the driveway and mulched the plants with the leaves and stood back to marvel at my handiwork. Nice!
I still need to clean out weeds from the driveway cracks and along the side of the house and garage. I also have 3 tomato plants and 5 peanut plants to plant in the big garden in the backyard tomorrow along with multiple other seeds since we have now entered March. (beans, cucumbers, onions and cantaloupe.)
I sat down and drew a diagram of where I wanted everything in the backyard garden today, but have decided, after talking to JR, I am not going to grow corn. Back to the paper to reposition everything tomorrow after running.
Today I worked out with one of Jari Love's first workout DVDs. It is primarily a strength workout with weights, (lighter weights with a lot of reps). I like her, but all this garden work and 5K stuff is wearing me out. I kept up, but was dragging today.
JR was supposed to come home, but was detained in Canada another day with work problems, so Kimbre and I went to the mall tonight and successfully found a prom dress for her at Cache. It looks beautiful on her and is a deep plum color. We'll only have to alter the length and be good to go. She also chose a gorgeous bracelet and necklace which looked fantastic with her coloring and the dress. Kimbre knew the cashier, so she gave us a coupon worth $60 off the total, which was wonderful! Happy Happy Joy Joy!
After a quick stop at Panda Express to inhale Orange Chicken, we went to Pets Mart where I found a cat bed for half off, a ring made out of tennis ball material that squeaks, a bitter spray to keep Dexter from chewing my table and chairs, 2 huge 42 lb. containers of cat litter, Natures Miracle spray for accidents which is supposed to completely remove any smell to inhibit marking behavior, a huge Nylabone for Dexter to chew and 2 new collars. One collar is for Dexter since he is outgrowing the one I just bought him and a new collar for Simon. We weighed him tonight and he has gained 5 lbs already! Holy cow!
Back home to discover a note from my sister Alison telling me wonderful news about her being pregnant. If anyone should have a baby, it is her! I'm very excited for her and her husband.
Kimbre talked with Schmelz for awhile and then headed to bed after helping clean up a mess Dexter made. What a gal!
And with that, I am off to bed. I'm having trouble keeping my eyes open and even though the cats think now is a good time to play chase, I don't.
Pam
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