I Got Nothin' But Pomegranates

It is so hot at the farm, I can only stand going out in the early morning to water and check out the plants and trees.  It is still in the 90's after dark, and did I mention the humidity, which makes it seem much hotter - the heat index they call it on the television.  I don't want to know that it feels like 110 degrees outside.  It makes it worse.  

Nevertheless, my pomegranate shrub/bush is coming along in this heat.  First, the beautiful colored flowers.

Then, the petals wither and fall off.

Then the fruit begins to swell.

And here is my adolescent fruit.  It's about the size of a golf ball.  Last year I only had one fruit and this year many more, though 50% of the fruits failed.  I will be gifted with several this year though.

If so inclined, you too can grow pomegranates in a pot (gets too cold here in the winter to plant outside).  Just look up Logee's Greenhouse @ www.LOGEES.Com.  Be careful though.  They have so many things the gardener cannot turn down.  Patchouli plant?  Vanilla bean orchids?  Cinnamon bark plants.  A greenhouse full of different citrus trees?  It is addicting.

Gardeneer

Found this Gardeneer at the flea market this weekend.  At only $20.00, I figured I would get at least that much enjoyment from it.  Must be from the 30's or 40's.  Doesn't take much to make me happy.

Container Gardening

It happens to the best of us.  When we can no longer squat and bend over to toil in our gardens and refuse to crawl or scoot around on our behinds, we think of other ways to garden.  This summer, I have decided to try some crops in containers; old containers I have piled up around the farm. I don't even remember where they came from. Recycle? Reuse?  Repurpose? All good. 

Used this old enamel cook pot for carrots, and yes, I over-planted as I have done for thirty years (I told you I never learn).

Since I seem to have problems with slugs, grasshoppers and birds, my strawberries have done well in this old enamel wash pan.  This is a french variety of fraise des bois, a wild variety that though small, are perfumed and strongly flavored.

More strawberries in an old graniteware cook pot (at least, I hope that is what it is).

Another enamel washpan with dandelion greens.  They have thrived.  Lastly, I dare not show you where my pumpkins are growing this year.  I planted them in an small plastic swimming pool used for goslings and cracked with weather and age.  Though somewhat unsightly, it is around the side of the house and not visible from the drive.  I have learned that planting plants so huge and with large root systems isn't the best for this little pool container, as I have to water it daily since the roots take up so much water and it is hotter than hell here. I will be trying some fall plantings in containers soon.  It will take me a while to figure out the differences in planting ground versus containers.  My lasagna garden did better than any garden I've tried, though I learned it also has to be watered frequently since it is raised above ground level.