Garden Happenings

Last week my $150 Tumbleweed Composter arrived in an enormous cubicle box. The directions were clear and within 20 minutes we had a composter. Over the last week we have been accumulating yard waste, so it's already half way filled. After we picked its place along the fence, I shoveled in the mulberries. Last year I ate mulberries but I never want to see another one again. Now we can turn them into dirt.The radishes sprouted quicker than we thought they would. The picture is after one week of growth. (white mulberry in foreground) Tonight I thinned them to one inch apart.The carrots have sprouted as well, less substantial than expected.Here's a bean sprout. We're a little late to be starting them, but we'll hope for a long fall.Our first tomato.Lastly, here are the tripods we fashioned out of bamboo. The plan is for the beans to climb these as well. Today we planted 3 cucumber plants (for pickling), 4 cabbages, some more cilantro, some more dill, and chicory. I planted a couple delphinium seeds in a cut-off drainpipe, only half-heartedly thinking it will grow.

Yellow Horned Poppy

A native of Western Europe, this Glaucium flavum was growing on the east end of long island along the beach.

Hard Shell Clams

Two and a half hours from Brooklyn, depending on traffic, Mercenaria mercenaria can be collected from the estuaries. After obtaining the necessary permits and gauges, we waded into the shallow water. Using feet as shovels, we collected these specimens. We threw back the littlest one for next time.

After scrubbing off the black stuff and any sand, we steamed them in a pot with corona, lemon juice, and crushed garlic. After about 8 minutes, they opened. The largest one didn't fully open, perhaps too muscle-bound, so we didn't feel comfortable eating it.
These were much bigger than the clams usually served in restaurants, like small ravioli.
We plan to incorporate the shells, whole or crushed into the garden.
Next project: chowder!

Veggies and Herbs

Vegetables: 4 tomato plants, 3 Bibb lettuces, 1 eggplant, 3 green peppers, a short row of sown radishes and carrots.

Perennial Herbs: Oregano (across the path), chives, rosemary (if we're lucky), thyme
Biennial Herbs: Parsley, Culantro
Annual Herbs: Basil, Cilantro, Dill (may resow itself)

Bird Food

They're crazy for the mulberries! (Click on image for larger version.)

Backyard Garden

Both photos were taken from under the metal upstairs porch. It's not porous so makes for great storage space. The back wall is on the north-northeast side. The first photo also captures the east-southeast wall. An unfortunate pair of messy mulberry trees drape over from the neighboring yard. The second photo shows the west-northwest wall with holly branches engulfing the back corner.
The approximate arrangement of tomatoes, green peppers, a lone eggplant, and herbs are in the foreground. It happens to be the sunniest spot because of the aforementioned mulberries.

Carroll Gardens

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