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Hanging strawberries and tomatoes

Most of my strawberries and tomatoes are in the ground, but I wanted to try some in hanging baskets for fun and to see if they’re less affected by pests and diseases. I had some old wire baskets lying around that seemed like they’d be big enough.

The baskets held a surprising amount of Black Gold organic potting soil, so I don’t think they’ll dry out too quickly on hot days. I’ll still need to check them daily, but that’s true of all my pots.

The strawberries look a little sulky because I transplanted them from established beds. They should perk up in a day or two. I wouldn’t normally transplant strawberries when they’re forming fruit, but this was all done on a whim.

The tomato is ‘Sun Sugar’ and should cascade nicely over the edge of the basket.

Wind chime listening station


This is so cool… this is how online shopping should be… Wind Chimes Pavilion has provided clear audio clips with each wind chime they sell. This makes sense since they sell hand-tuned chimes to the tune of Brahms, Verdi, Bach and more.

Check it out. You’ll be impressed. I’m excited because I think I might actually be able to find one that doesn’t drive me bonkers.

Have a listen.

Tomatoes with sweet pepper and basil-infused escargot

Got most of my tomatoes planted yesterday and hope to finish today if it’s not raining. I also planted most of the plants I bought at Annie’s and B. Hort. I have to say, things are filling in nicely in certain parts of the garden. Gaps remain, but don’t they always?

Snails feasted on my bell peppers and basil over the last few days. Nothing left but leafless sticks. I checked on them first thing yesterday morning and found a large snail family sucking on the bones of my pepper plants. A couple older snails were leading the very slow getaway.

And no, I didn’t kill a single one. Why? Because I am cursed with a fondness for all things tiny and cute. Have you looked at a baby snail lately? Exceedingly cute with their tiny antennae… or eyeballs… or whatever those things are… innocently searching the air. I relocated them. I have used Sluggo in moments of desperation, but I don’t like witnessing the carnage and my dogs like to eat Sluggo pellets. Pet-safe or not, I really don’t want them to have to digest a belly full of iron phosphate.

The perfect solution for borderline Buddhist gardeners like me is the barrier method. The problem is, that nifty 100-foot roll of copper snail barrier I wanted to buy at Berkeley Hort. the other day was 50 dollars. 50 dollars for snail fencing? I don’t think I can justify that purchase at this juncture, so I’m trying to find something inexpensive around the house that will help my veggie and herb starts make it past infancy. I’m thinking bottomless milk cartons with the warning “Molluscs Beware!” written in dripping red letters. No… written in salt (if such a thing were possible). Large strawberry baskets might work too. I have none, but they might work. There’s got to be something we normally recycle or throw away that I can use. Any ideas?

Anyway, replacement peppers and basil are being arranged.

Great news! Peaceful Valley Farm Supply sells 20 feet of copper snail barrier for around 13 bucks. Sold!

Holy guacamole, look what else they sell! This is exactly what I was fantasizing about and they’re only $2.99 each! Just my luck that my only realized fantasy involves garden pests and not Liam Neeson, but oh well. At least I’ll have reality-based peppers and basil this year thanks to copper barriers and the new Plant Defender.

East Bay Nurseries Day Trip

Went to Annie’s Annuals and Berkeley Hort. Yesterday. Gardening nirvana… and a financial nightmare. I did enough Visa damage that I’m thinking it’s a good thing there’s an hour and forty minutes between me and my favorite East Bay nurseries.

I was expecting rainy weather so was pleased with intermittently overcast skies and a bit of wind.

The raised demo beds at Annie’s, amended with grape-seed compost, are looking incredible, as are the display pots at Berkeley Hort. Bought all kinds of fun stuff, traffic was a breeze and I didn’t get lost in lovely downtown Richmond this time. I didn’t even get lost in Berzerkely, city of invisible street signs.

New at Annie’s: a chicken coop with fancy chickens, a rooster, a bunny or bunnies and some other bird I can’t remember. Very cute. There seem to be more pinky/purply flower murals, as well as some new wagons with very cushy handles. Free cans of soda too!











A Flower Explosion

Sunshine has returned (for the most part), Spring is really here, and everything looks fresh and perky and colorful. Enjoy it, because the dusty dog days of summer are lurking around the corner.