A little bit of everything this week.
Stop and smell the roses
That is my literal plan on the morning of September 19th. Well maybe not that exact date, depending on my recovery, but a day or few after that. Actually, let’s call it no later than September 26th.
I’m finally doing it. I’ve scheduled septoplasty surgery and it will be on September 18th.
It’s been a long time coming and I’m super excited. I’m ready to be able to smell for the first time in a long time. I’m ready to be able to breathe through my nose while running. I’m ready to, fingers crossed, be able to sleep more comfortably and snore a whole lot less.
So if it all pans out, you’re going to read a lot about my enjoyment of smelling flowers for the first time.
The spit is the least of my concerns
One of the plants I’ve been touting a ton this spring/summer was this newly planted willow-leaved sunflower (Helianthus salicifolius).
I’m in love with the texture and would be happy even if it never bloomed.
But one morning this past week I noticed this all over all of the leaves.
I’d seen it before many times on other plants but never did anything about it. It never seemed to cause the plants any harm.
But this was excessive and it made me panic. So I did my research and I’m proud to say that I’m now educated on the spittlebug. And if I’m interpreting what I read accurately, there is little reason to worry about long term damage.
Bullet dodged temporarily though.
This plant has begun to flop and it hasn’t even bloomed yet. I couldn’t get a good photo of the collapse but just know it isn’t pretty.
My dreams have been crushed.
It’s getting hot in here
Contrary to what you may think, I do grow plants that one can actually eat. I have a bunch of tomato plants grown in containers on my deck where I can keep them away from the deer. While I don’t eat tomatoes (please don’t judge), my wife happily consumes them and I at least think they’re pretty.
This year I’m growing a habanero pepper that I think will be in regular rotation moving forward. It’s called Cheiro Roxa and she is beautiful.
While not exactly a chef in the kitchen, I do have plans to use these peppers to make my very first hot sauce. I’m thinking this one.
The peppers can be harvested once they transform from black/chocolate to a light pink which a few are at now.
To top it all off, the foliage of these plants is killer. Check this out.
Add this grass
I mentioned it last week and I’ll do so again.
I love Molinia (moor grass) more and more each year as they continue to mature in my garden.
This one is ‘Skyracer‘ and it’s majestic right now. This is the view off of my deck.
And from around the corner (top middle of the photo).
Am I right?
Facebook anyone?
Many of you have told me that you shun the Facebook. If you fall in that camp, please ignore the following request.
I’ve created a “John Markowski – Author” FB page and I’d love for you to throw it a “like” if you’re so inclined. You can access it here.
It’s becoming a place where I can share my non-gardening writing as I continue to pursue that option moving forward.
Thank you in advance.
OMG that sunflower! *rushes off to find seeds*
Hope your surgery goes well!
Thanks so much Misti!
Just had that surgery and a fungal sinus infection cleaned out 2 days ago. It was simple and not painful.
Good to hear Tracy and curious to hear how things proceed. Thanks.
Best of luck on your surgery, John. I love the Skyracer!
Thanks so much Jane!
Just discovered Helianthus salicifolius last month! Super excited about it! So far, no spittlebugs here.
Hope surgery accomplishes everything you hope for and more!
Peace.
Thanks Bill!
I went on Google to get a look at your new sunflower – hit on Plant Finder and the picture they show has all the plants staked up and half of them are bent over. Not a very impressive picture. To cut down on work and frustration I’d pull them out.
Best of luck with your surgery, let us know the first thing you smell!
Thanks Kay. I’m holding out on removing it for now but I’m not very optimistic.
Best of luck with your surgery John. I never knew you didn’t have the ability to smell.
Your plants/garden look fabulous … keep up the good work.
Ever thought of creating your own Topsy Turver contraption for growing tomatoes on your deck, or any kind of plant for that matter? You don’t need to get an actual Topsy-Turvey kit, just copy the principle.
Let me know how your surgery goes. Love to the family … M
Thanks cuz! Need to check out the Topsy Turvy, seems fun.