tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047665621527595201Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:08:40 +0000beginning organic gardening and xeriscaping (and observing a few criminal trials) in Austin, Texashttp://societygarlic.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Iris)Blogger349125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047665621527595201.post-4719353761453782074Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:01:00 +00002009-12-10T21:23:00.569-06:00miscellaneousI try not to stray from gardening, house, or trial topics here, but my gardener/landscaper friend Jackie and I were comparing cocktail notes yesterday and she thought my gin comparison information was blog-worthy, so here goes. Husband Kurt is actually the bigger gin fan, but recently he put me to a blind taste test and it turned out my favorites were the same as his. Junipero, from Anchor http://societygarlic.blogspot.com/2009/12/holiday-cheer-favorite-gins.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Iris)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047665621527595201.post-4908207004441226964Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:29:00 +00002009-12-03T18:41:13.605-06:00organic gardeningI was skeptical yesterday when the weather people said we might get two inches of snow tomorrow, and now they've revised their forecasts to "up to a half inch" of snow tomorrow. Sounds like MAYBE a few flurries to me. I'm much more concerned about tomorrow night's predicted low of 25 degrees (F)! It took me almost two hours today to cover the vegetable beds and a bunch of assorted other plants. http://societygarlic.blogspot.com/2009/12/first-seasons-freeze-preparations.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Iris)9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047665621527595201.post-5766845540384417104Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:06:00 +00002009-11-29T13:40:50.413-06:00organic gardeningromaine (Parris Island Cos in front, Freckles in back)Except for my broccoli, whose leaves are being eaten by some worm I can never catch, my fall vegetables are doing well. My lettuces are particularly happy. I still have jalapenos and anaheims producing, too. I already harvested a bunch of my basil and froze it, but I still have plenty going strong, at least until tomorrow night when it is http://societygarlic.blogspot.com/2009/11/vegetable-garden-update.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Iris)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047665621527595201.post-4283859924911585699Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:57:00 +00002009-11-22T17:07:14.035-06:00miscellaneousI'm brand new at propagating plants from stem cuttings, but I'm game. Several days ago, I gently stuck some cuttings from my potted Persian Shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus) and Pineapple Coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides 'pineapple') in seed starter soil mix and placed them in a mostly shaded spot (above photo). They got some rain Friday, so I decided today was the time to put baggies over http://societygarlic.blogspot.com/2009/11/experiment-in-cuttings.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Iris)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047665621527595201.post-8153737411437969967Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:20:00 +00002009-11-15T12:01:46.883-06:00Silverado sage, Mealycup Sage (Salvia farinacea 'Victoria Blue'), silver ponyfoot and blackfoot daisies, Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha) The weather here has been beautiful lately. Two months ago, I couldn't have imagined we'd finally get moderate temperatures and enough rain again to bring our front yard garden back to life. And positively lush, too! Thanks to Carol at May Dreams Gardens http://societygarlic.blogspot.com/2009/11/garden-bloggers-bloom-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Iris)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047665621527595201.post-2601299228320217905Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:39:00 +00002009-11-12T13:04:24.099-06:00paperwhite narcissusI don't know if it's the combination of our drought and recent rain, but several of my plants are blooming when they normally don't.This paperwhite narcissus (fighting the lantana) didn't bloom until mid-January last year.Red Cascade miniature rose (currently my only rose because it seems foolproof) usually blooms in the Spring.This Provence lavender sometimes blooms in http://societygarlic.blogspot.com/2009/11/unusual-blooming-timing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Iris)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047665621527595201.post-4575430608179622093Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:07:00 +00002009-12-05T15:42:21.643-06:00miscellaneousI am not worthy, but THANK YOU to The Curious Holts of wabi-sabihomeandgarden for including me as a recipient of bloggers' Honest Scrap Awards. There are more than two dozen fantastic Austin-area garden blogs, but here are three of my more offbeat favorites: Hungersauce, The Bearded Gourmand, and Austin Agrodolce. And, in the spirit of the award's requests, here are some honest things about me:-http://societygarlic.blogspot.com/2009/11/i-would-like-to-thank-academy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Iris)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047665621527595201.post-8967037478941533037Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:51:00 +00002009-11-06T18:03:46.187-06:00organic gardening"Speckles" butterhead lettuceIn this case, horseherb was the main culprit. I like horseherb as a groundcover in other parts of the yard, but I most definitely did not like it smothering my veggie seedlings. It was my fault for letting it get so out of control. Aargh. Usually I do my weeding quietly with a big glass of iced green tea, content to focus on the task and listen to the sounds of the http://societygarlic.blogspot.com/2009/11/veggie-beds-rage-against-weeds.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Iris)10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047665621527595201.post-6113081415857014124Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:59:00 +00002009-11-04T11:23:19.808-06:00treesEDITED Wed., 11-4-09: Treefolks called and confirmed what Caroline and Pam suspected: they're both Mexican Plum trees!While I was out voting today, the people from Treefolks' Neighborwoods free tree program delivered our two "small stature" trees. Unfortunately, they left no identification on the trees. (I've left them a phone message.) The choices (none of which I have any experience) were http://societygarlic.blogspot.com/2009/11/free-mystery-trees-help.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Iris)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047665621527595201.post-6387148515272640349Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:46:00 +00002009-11-01T10:01:35.593-06:00miscellaneouswe put up a few decorations last weekHusband Kurt and I kicked off our tenth wedding anniversary last night with an incredible meal at Wink restaurant, known for its inventive use of lots of local and organic ingredients. I run into chef Eric at the Boggy Creek Farm stand allot, and he's really cool. But today is our actual anniversary. We got married in Seattle, shortly before we moved back to http://societygarlic.blogspot.com/2009/10/happy-10th-anniversary-to-us-and-happy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Iris)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047665621527595201.post-3694975429040510000Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:00:00 +00002009-10-28T21:19:30.314-05:00Yogurt Shop Murderscriminal trialsMichael ScottRobert Springsteenunsolved crimesBefore I continue with today's observations, let me explain that the charges were dismissed "without prejudice", which means the charges against Robert Springsteen and Michael Scott may be refiled at any time--there's no statute of limitations for murder--but the state would still have to return to a grand jury if they refiled. The state maintains its position that Springsteen and Scott "are http://societygarlic.blogspot.com/2009/10/yogurt-shop-murders-charges-dismissed.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Iris)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047665621527595201.post-8199836011552929851Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:29:00 +00002009-10-28T15:08:34.994-05:00Yogurt Shop Murderscriminal trialsMichael ScottRobert Springsteenunsolved crimesAt today's (postponed for months) Yogurt Shop Murders pretrial hearing, defendants Michael Scott and Robert Springsteen walked into state District Judge Mike Lynch's courtroom with free will instead of being led in from holding cells by sheriff's deputies. They walked out of the courtroom with free will and as truly free men for the first time in more than 10 years, after Judge Lynch signed an http://societygarlic.blogspot.com/2009/10/yogurt-shop-murders-charges-dropped.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Iris)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047665621527595201.post-2879171049878975271Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:54:00 +00002009-10-26T12:19:14.439-05:00organic gardeningcatsYesterday I was more aggressive about thinning my baby lettuces and beet seedlings and ended up with this season's first salads!pre-thinning (left side is leftover summer basil)I reserved the little regular-variety and freckles-variety romaine leaves for husband Kurt's beloved Caesar salad. Separately, I tossed together all the butterhead and leaf lettuces, along with some beet seedlings.I still http://societygarlic.blogspot.com/2009/10/thinned-seedlings-first-seasons-salads.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Iris)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047665621527595201.post-8440638780181804043Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:25:00 +00002009-10-15T14:15:16.973-05:00organic gardeningxeriscapingornamental black pepperI confess: I'm feeling VERY lazy today, but I did wade through the heat and 90 percent humidity to snap some photos. (And I DID walk the dog this morning--yea, me.) Many Austin gardens are unusually lush right now because we finally got some long overdue rain! Go to Carol's blog, May Dreams Gardens, to see other gardeners' blooms today.rosemary, cenizo, victoria salvia, http://societygarlic.blogspot.com/2009/10/garden-bloggers-bloom-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Iris)15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047665621527595201.post-632670009102368551Wed, 14 Oct 2009 03:52:00 +00002009-10-13T23:39:52.194-05:00organic gardeningxeriscapingA few weeks ago, Meredith at Great Stems published a great, informative post (with lots of interesting comments) about the love/hate affair many of us Central Texan gardeners have with our native horseherb--her post says it all! I commented about how much I appreciate horseherb in my garden yards as our main groundcover. Meredith was interested in seeing it used in a lawn, as she'd observed it http://societygarlic.blogspot.com/2009/10/horseherb-i-like-it-as-groundcover-for.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Iris)11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047665621527595201.post-1875716624853620864Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:09:00 +00002009-10-06T17:14:54.910-05:00miscellaneousdroughtToday I spoke to a helpful man at the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District and learned that their board has approved local Rollingwood residents James David and Gary Peese's application to drill a well to pump 800,000 gallons (annually) from the Trinity aquifer for "domestic irrigation needs" for their two-acre estate. David/Peese originally asked for a million gallons and http://societygarlic.blogspot.com/2009/10/update-davidpeese-approved-to-pump.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Iris)11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047665621527595201.post-3929671520700860088Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:56:00 +00002009-10-01T16:21:01.888-05:00xeriscapingNow that we've received some much-needed rain, my ruellia (Mexican petunia) is particularly perky and bloomy, but it's also been a real trooper during our two-year drought. I gave it very little supplemental water this summer and it still managed to bloom some. This native can be invasive but is really easy to thin. Some people think it looks too "weedy", but I appreciate its colorful blooms andhttp://societygarlic.blogspot.com/2009/10/reliable-ruellia.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Iris)9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047665621527595201.post-4199287433764621272Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:23:00 +00002009-09-22T17:42:26.592-05:00miscellaneous1941 houseA month ago, I really didn't imagine we'd ever see a day like today until maybe November. But I was SO wrong: it's 65 degrees (F) right now and has rained 3 inches in central Austin in the past 15 hours! We finally had custom wood window screens constructed and installed a month ago but haven't had a chance to air out the house and enjoy them until today. The talented John Hindman of Red River http://societygarlic.blogspot.com/2009/09/rain-gauge-and-window-screens-finally.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Iris)14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047665621527595201.post-1864554294578062538Sun, 20 Sep 2009 20:18:00 +00002009-09-20T15:35:07.451-05:00organic gardeningred sails leaf lettuce seedlingsBecause our raised veggie beds aren't boxed, they don't always translate well in photographs, appearing to be shallow blobs. SWEET husband Kurt spent last Sunday adding tons of our homemade compost to the beds, mixing and turning them, then fluffing them up into respectable looking raised veggie beds. What was I doing last Sunday afternoon while he toiled? Watchinghttp://societygarlic.blogspot.com/2009/09/seeds-are-sown.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Iris)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047665621527595201.post-4134551933785150096Tue, 15 Sep 2009 01:36:00 +00002009-09-15T07:57:22.417-05:00organic gardeningxeriscapingfirst time my Society Garlic has been presentable since MarchHooray! Austin finally got some measurable rain last weekend and cooler temperatures. I know it will get back up into the mid-high nineties later this week with no rain, but I'm still blissing out on today's cloudy, upper-seventies, driving with the sunroof open and the windows down weather! Thanks again to Carol at May Dreams Gardens http://societygarlic.blogspot.com/2009/09/cooler-less-parched-garden-bloggers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Iris)12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047665621527595201.post-7296919254515152252Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:34:00 +00002009-09-09T12:22:52.958-05:00xeriscapingToday's the first gray, drizzly day we've had in a long time. Welcome negative ions! This chorus of rain lilies appeared Saturday and continues to sing today. Hallelujah.http://societygarlic.blogspot.com/2009/09/rain-clouds-and-rain-lilies.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Iris)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047665621527595201.post-4395321269149159287Mon, 07 Sep 2009 18:53:00 +00002009-09-08T22:15:12.527-05:00miscellaneousxeriscapingAt the moment, restrictions on use of the Trinity Aquifer are not mandated by the Texas Legislature as they are for the Edwards Aquifer. So, during this greater Austin area's second year of exceptional drought, it appears that Rollingwood residents James David and Gary Peese are taking full and for now, legal, advantage of that lack of restrictions by applying to the Barton Springs/Edwards http://societygarlic.blogspot.com/2009/09/i-dont-think-these-guys-should-be.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Iris)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047665621527595201.post-4661710682198004722Sun, 06 Sep 2009 22:57:00 +00002009-09-06T18:09:59.062-05:00organic gardeningbluebell (Eustoma russellianum)Most of my veggie seedlings are beginning to emerge, so I'll transplant them to their real raised-bed homes later this week. Meanwhile, I bought a few annuals (and put them in pots) to add some color to the veggie garden. We got almost two inches of rain Friday evening, the most we've had since early June, so everything is looking more peppy for now!yellow shrimp http://societygarlic.blogspot.com/2009/09/colorful-annuals-in-veggie-garden.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Iris)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047665621527595201.post-4451671776591828499Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:54:00 +00002009-09-01T16:00:43.454-05:00organic gardeningcatsThe triple-digit heat took a break and also brought us some clouds and breezes this weekend, so I finally got myself out back to weed and prep the overgrown raised beds. I worked in our homemade compost into the existing soil with my hands (and have the roughed-up skin to prove it) and re-set the drip lines. I also let some of the horseherb stay because it seems to serve as soil-cooling "mulch". http://societygarlic.blogspot.com/2009/09/preparing-fall-veggie-garden.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Iris)13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4047665621527595201.post-4708284414486159922Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:53:00 +00002009-08-28T17:14:48.340-05:00miscellaneouspotted white bougainvillea hanging out with the ruelliaI'm late to my own party! Just realized that August 27, 2007 was my very first blog post, so yesterday was my two-year blogging anniversary. I have no profound haikus to offer. Just thought I'd share.http://societygarlic.blogspot.com/2009/08/two-years-blogging.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Iris)12