Fabulous purple beans

Just wanted to share an image of some beautiful purple beans that I just started picking from our yard.  If you have something to trade and are interested in trying them, let me know (I really need lemons or bell peppers or lettuce).  Keep in mind that they turn green once you cook them though!

Oranges for the picking!

Our orange tree is full of oranges. If you want some, let me know and you can come on over and pick all that you want.

Bee population study seeking volunteers

This is a fun activity that you can do with your kids. The Great Sunflower Project is a a study that is being lead by an associate professor at San Francisco State University. It hopes to track native bee populations across the country. By planting a patch of sunflowers, or other flowering plants mentioned on the website, you count how many bees visit your garden. You do this twice a month for fifteen minutes. The website and email for more information is:

http://www.greatsunflower.org/

sfbee@sfsu.edu

Starting from seed

It's been a while since I've posted here, but remember this is a group blog so you can post too!  If you're not already signed up just leave a comment or send me an email and I'll add you to the blog.

Is anyone else starting your veggies or flowers from seed?  I actually planned ahead this year and started several things in January.  So far the tomatoes (all 12 of them) are doing the best and some things I've planted outside are not growing very quickly (Spinach and Tomatillos).

Right now the weather is warm enough that you can probably start just about anything that grows in the warm season outside.  Beans, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers.  The last two are better started inside and then transplanted but if you start now, you'll still get some eggplants and tomatoes mid-season.  I myself am still starting things indoor from seeds so I can keep an eye on them.  Here's what I've got going:

• Cumin
• Alma Paprika Peppers (to dry for making paprika)
• Mammoth Basil (big leaves for homemade pizza!)
• Edmonson Cucumber (drought tolerant variety)

If you're out there and reading, leave a comment!  Also, if you're interested in swapping seeds, let me know.