Finally, a person that understands it all!

My sister told me about this book, "The $64 Tomato."

Since I usually bore her with my gardening stories of disease on my tomato plant, which plant(s) died today or which disgusting insect I found today and how many of them, she knew this book was written for me.

The author does an amazing job sharing his pursuit and trials for his kitchen garden through humor. Ultimately, through his obstacles he brings encouragement that the reader is not the only one having problems in the garden.

In attempting to grow anything from tomatoes to strawberries, I find that I have taken my gardening troubles personal. Any disease that lands on my citrus, an attack. Any slug or grub that I find in the garden, offensive. And the teeth marks (not even a bite taken) on my ripe tomatoes still on the vine, a slap in the face.

So, as the book says:

"The cost of growing one tomato: $64.

The joy of finding a gardener who is more obsessed than you are: Priceless."

Made by my wonderful husband!

My husband decided to pick up a new hobby, woodworking.

It luckily benefited me and my gardening!

Unfortunately, I think I definitely pushed him to pick up woodworking due to my "disorganized" side yard. So, my only problem now is that I have no excuse to not keep my gardening materials and tools organized.

The Accidental Bee Keeper

While trimming the trees in the backyard, I noticed an odd amount of bees flying around a certain tree. They seem to be making a hive from the leaves and along the bark of the tree...

Hopefully, I'll get some honey out of the deal!

Carrots!

The first carrot harvest! They're about 6 inches, so I might have picked them a bit early, but I couldn't wait. Hopefully, my patience will get better for the rest to get bigger!

Nutri Red Carrots and Multi Colored Carrots grown from seed

SunChips

The brand 'SunChips', has recently come out with a chip bag made of plant material and is compostable.

http://www.sunchips.com/index.shtml

I'm really excited about composting, so I feel I need to support 'SunChips' good behavior.

Tea Time

I am a big tea drinker.

My favorites are Green, Oolong, Yerba Mate, and Red Tea.

Recently though, I have found that I love and appreciate chamomile and sleepy time teas.

In researching what herbs to plant in my garden, I found that there are many herbs that can be used to make a relaxing cup of tea.

These are a few of the herbs and plants that I have planted in my yard to be used for tea:

Camellia Sinensis- The plant where green, oolong, and black tea comes from.

Mint and Lemon Balm- Perfect additions to a cup of green tea, or other tea.

Chamomile- The flowers, picked and dried, can be used for a relaxing tea

Valerian- the root and the leaves are used for a bedtime tea

Skullcap- Any part above the ground can be used for a bedtime tea.

Fever Few- Leaves are used for help with headaches.

Hops- the flower part is great for a relaxing cup of tea (or beer)

Pineapple Sage- Leaves are used for anti anxiety and anti depression.

Things are growing!