April Showers Bring April Tulips

And now a short ode to one of our few tulips, which lost its blooms this week.

Cheers to May’s flowers!

The Result of Our Garlic Harvest

Last week I was already making dinner when I realized my garlic had gone bad.  (That’s what happens when you never cook.)   Before I could bolt to the grocery store, Doug reminded me that we had garlic in the garden that should probably come out anyway.

Here’s how we found it.

There was no time for researching whether the garlic was ready to dig up.  The weather, the sunshine, the happiness of summer – it’s all gone.  More importantly – dinner was on the line.  So we dug first and researched later.

Post-research, I now know that the leaves will brown and dry up when garlic is mature.  Clearly, our little garlic cloves were not ready for harvest.  But here’s how they looked:

I also learned that garlic is meant to be planted in the fall and harvested in the late spring.  I just informed Doug and he said “oh really?”

Apparently we plant first and think later.

Eager to make my meal, I washed the garlic and set it out to dry.  This was also a mistake,  as the bulbs should be hung up in a cool, dry place for about a week before they’re washed.  (Luckily I left them out to dry for several days post-wash. We’ll see what happens.)

My dinner was quite tasty but I don’t know what role the garlic actually played.  Doug’s new goal is to get some in the ground asap as it is, ahem, fall.

Any garlic growers out there?

Seeking support for my pumpkin problem

Hello.  My name is Tasha and I have a pumpkin problem.

Specifically, the pumpkin problem is that we have no pumpkins.  We have feet and feet and feet of pumpkin vines, none of which have born fruit.

I believe this discoloration is at least part of the problem.

I’m pretty sure this could have something to do with it, too….

Who can help me with my pumpkin problem?

We’re lucky that there is a silver lining amidst all this despair.  We have one hope for a Halloween pumpkin.  It’s about the size of a tennis ball.

With only a few weeks before Halloween, I think we’ll be harvesting our pumpkins from our local grocer.

Anyone with pumpkin experience?

Tip Jar: The Sharpest Tool in the Shed

Today, our anonymous tipster is sending out love for a gardening tool called the “Hori, Hori.”  She may be spreading useful information, but I’m restraining myself from making inappropriate jokes.  Just know that I’m laughing on the inside.

. . .

The Hori Hori is the creme de la creme of garden tools.  Its unique serrated edge makes it your shovel and saw in one.  I’ve looked and, trust me, you simply won’t find anything that’s comparable. It digs into dirt, cuts through roots and weeds – you can even use it to open bags of mulch. And even better, you won’t need to go back and forth from the tool shed to get a project done.

Frankly, I use the Hori Hori for everything.  (Ignore Tasha’s giggles.)

There are two models of the Hori Hori.  I opted for the more expensive, stainless steel model for about $42.  I bought it last summer at Ward and Child at 678 South 700 East.  The second option is made of carbon steel and is about half the cost.  I haven’t spoken with anyone who has tried it out.

Do you know any fun Japanese words? Am I the only one in love smitten with the Hori Hori?