All aboard the Hogwarts Express

Here we are at Platform 9 3/4 in the Harry Potter area of Universal Studios.

Seed projects

Boyfriend wanted to start a raised bed, so we decided to get some seeds started in the Aerogarden.  We decided on some plants that are recommended for Florida growing in this particular season.  Here we have some okra in an egg carton:

And here are corn and cantaloupe started in an ice cube tray:

Right now it all kind of hides the Aerogarden.  Because the lights are so high, new seeds also need to be started  high.  This is only temporary.  I hope to have the box taken down within a week or a week and a half  (once everything sprouts).

Twin palms

The twin palm trees are doing some weird stuff!  I found these sprouts on them.

Weird!

Morning glories

Morning glory flowers

Happy Cinco de Mayo

Happy Cinco de Mayo!  Here are some Mexican-themed plants I have grown.

Cilantro!  Well, it couldn't take the Florida heat, so it
shriveled.. will have to re-attempt that one.

Blue Agave!  Given to me by my dad, this cactus is used to
make tequila and also agave nectar.

Cactus from my aunt.  I call it the Floppy Cactus because
it has never stood upright.  But it seems to be pretty happy
and has grown new segments this season.

Tomatoes!  Because you know you gotta have salsa!

I am going to attempt jalapenos next.  I saved some seeds from a supermarket jalapeno pepper.  I tried them in the Aerogarden, but they didn't sprout because the light is too high.  I'll have to try growing them outside instead.

Aerogarden tomatoes

Yep.  Had to raise the hood again.  The tomato plants are still working their way up, although not as quickly as before.  Still, they are making plenty of flowers and new growth (suckers).  I leave the suckers on because I want bushy plants and lots of flowers.  The suckers tend to always make flowers.

So here we see 3 almost ready to pick

Flowers and 2 tomatoes, hiding

Another tomato or two hiding in the foliage

This picture was taken a day or so later

And here are the basils.  The siam queen really took off!
I think I'll move them outside soon, because now that I
have raised the light, they are probably not getting enough
of it.

Itty bitty crape myrtle

I went to an Art & Foliage festival this past weekend, and wandered over to The Arbor Day Foundation booth.  They were giving out free trees and said I could take as many as I wanted!  They had red oak, and two other types of trees, but I took the red crape myrtle!

Since it is so small, I decided to put it in a pot until it gets a little bigger.  Then I'll plant it in the yard.

In the background is the eggplant!  It's doing great.

P.S.  Next time you are at a fair/festival, try the deep fried oreos.  They dunk them in a funnel-cake type batter and the cookie gets soft and mushy inside, making like an oreo creme filling inside the batter.  When it comes out, some powdered sugar gets sprinkled on top.  These things are soo amazing and addicting!