The Great Pruning of 2008.

It's hotter than Hades today.  That is merely a statement, not to be taken as a complaint.  I've spent the last 5 months loathing the departure of summer and warm weather and now I'm getting what I want.  All at once.  Once again, I'm not complaining.

It's been awhile since I've updated a small, completely disinterested audience on the status of my garden, so- lucky you!  Today's the day!!  This morning was gardening extravaganza morning.  Good times!!  My arugula bushes have finally outgrown themselves, as well as my garden itself, and have begun to implode on themselves.  It was sad, really.  I may actually have to PAY for lettuce for awhile.  That's a bummer.  Anyway, I now have buckets of strongly flavored arugula lettuce because I butchered the plants.  They're still there, but only as shadows of their former selves.   The hard part was that at 9am, it was already almost 80 degrees out- which when you cut lettuce makes it wilt kind of fast.  I had to prune and harvest in small batches.  The stress and the horror of growing your own food.  I'll live the nightmare for you if you want.

Anyway, the rest of the garden is AWESOME!  I've got little baby tomatoes, buds on my bell peppers and hot peppers, baby lettuce plants growing strong, and strawberries that are really sweet.  The Tall One insists that I leave them on until they get huge.  I tried to explain that once they're red, that's it.  He didn't get it.  The man can prescribe medicine, but can't grasp strawberries.  On another note, does anyone need some herbs (don't forget to pronounce the "h"; while phonetically incorrect, it makes the word at least 10x more fun to say)?  I've got a lot.  I don't mail though.  Sorry.  Last thing I need is for my packages to get x-ray'd and then I have the DEA on my doorstep investigating "suspicious" packages.  I'm not an RN yet, and I'm pretty sure the Board of Registered Nursing wouldn't be amused.

And now, for your viewing pleasure: a photo essay of my garden.  Remember, I don't have kids- I grow veggies.

These were my arugula bushes, just over a month ago.  See?  Totally manageable.  For reference, that's a 2.5ft tall planter.

Fast forward a month.  They're falling over under the weight.  Whoops.

In the upper right corner- what remains of the once mighty arugula.  Moment of silence.  On another note- how's that green patch of grass there, heh?  Synthetic.  How do I keep it so spotless and free of leaves and twigs?  Two words for you: Shop Vac.  That's right, I vacuum my grass, and the patio sometimes while I'm at it.  And the front porch if I'm really feeling industrious.  I think everyone should have a Shop Vac, in fact it should come with your Social Security card.  They're glorious.  Besides, raking the yard is for peasants.  Yes, I'm kidding.  But only on the peasants part.

Look what moved into my garden!!!  Ladybugs!!!  They're everywhere.  Aphids, your days are numbered.  The red and black-polka-dot army has arrived.

This one's for my mom.  Look mom!  Sierra lettuce!  I've got two others just like it.

My first tomatoes!  They're so cute!

Sage, rosemary and thyme.  I'm one herb short of a sad, forlorn Simon & Garfunkel song.

This is our loaner patio set, courtesy of the Tall One's folks.  I can be found there most mornings.  It makes me that much more annoyed to go to the hospital for clinical on Thursdays.  Let's see, while I'm giving 9am meds, I could be sitting here.  Great, now I'm annoyed again.

Look!  Our yard thermometer is just as good at embellishing as me!!  Liar.  It's not 100.  It just feels like it.

My crowning achievement of 2008, so far.  Back in January, I decapitated the flower stalk from this orchid.  The Tall One said that we could get a dog once I could keep a houseplant alive.  He calls me the Orchid Slayer.  And then, about 2 weeks ago, THIS showed up.  And kept going.  And now has flower buds.  I'm awesome.  And the Tall One is eating his words.  I think he swears at it under his breath when he walks past it.  Two ice cubes a week on the roots and your orchid will keep on trucking.  So, what do you think?  Golden Retriever or Labrador?