The little garden that can!

So, we had a little bit of a scare at black thumb central. The tomato plants had some yellow spots on them and the leaves at the bottom of the plants were crumbling and dying.

Oh NO!!

 

 

I sent Ben at Harvest to Home a panicked e mail with pictures of the damage and he responded quickly and calmly. He told me to look for bugs (didn't see any) and then to spray the essential oil spray on the affected plants. He reminded me to DILUTE the oil this time and to spray either at night or in the early morning. 

I sprayed the spray on the tomato plants and now look at them!!

Ta-DAAAHHH!

 

 

I would like to do a little comparison of the before and after.

 

 

Sad diseased plants

Happy perky plants!

Ben came by to see how the plants were doing (how's that for service?) and he was very happy about how they are looking. The cucumber plant has become a monster. Here's a before and after taken one week apart.

Last week, not yet at the top of the trellis

This week! Holy cow! 

As you can see, the cucumber plant is growing like crazy, his little feelers are grabbing on to everything, including the light fixture,  the tomato plant, the dogs if they stand still for too long.  We had to move him to his own little section of the patio.

I can almost taste the fresh tomatoes and cucumbers now. Yummm!

Easter Weekend Fun!

There are lots of fun things to do this Easter weekend, that is... besides eat lots of Easter candy.

Mmmmmmm Chocolate Easter Eggs.

What?! Oh, ok here we go!

First up, if you would like to take a little trip up North, Sedona has a few things that might pique your interest. They are having an Art and Craft show featuring more than 35 artisans and their crafts. There will be paintings, leather, jewelry, wood, metal, fountains, carvings and many Native American artists too! Click here Bell Rock Art Shows. Another reason to head to the beautiful red rocks would be to see Strauss's Capriccio at the Metropolitan Opera.  The concert  is on April 23rd and begins at 10 AM. Tickets are $18.

Of course if you don't do either of these, Sedona is a great place for hiking, rafting, fishing, shopping and eating. Pretty much my top 5 favorite things to do. 

Ahhhh Sedona. 

If you aren't feeling like taking a trip to the North how about heading to Tempe for the 15th Annual Art Museum Short Film and Video Festival? It begins at 8 PM on April 23rd and it is FREE! The event celebrates the artistic & creative endeavors of individuals with different visions & levels of experience, bring a lawn chair or blanket and maybe a little bug spray, it's getting a bit buggy out at night. For more information click Here

Nelson Fine Arts Plaza-Photo Credit Ken Storch

 One other event in Tempe is at ASU Gammage. David Sedaris will be there on April 22nd at 8 PM. Sedaris is one of America’s pre-eminent satirists, with sardonic wit and incisive social critiques, Sedaris gathers odd, shiny facts and foibles, from working as a Macy’s Santaland elf to moving to Japan to quit smoking tickets are $29-$59 click Here for more info.

Also, it is a wonderful time to go to the Desert Botanical Garden.  The Spring concert series is going strong. This Friday features Jazz/R & B artist Dennis Rowland. Tickets are $15-$21 and they do recommend reservations. 

Just one variety of the many blooms at the DBG

And for the sports fans, now that the Coyotes are out of the playoffs,  it is time to turn our attention to baseball!! The D-backs are playing some serious ball. This weekend they are playing at the Mets but Monday they are back in AZ for the week playing the Phillies and the Cubbies. Click Here for the complete schedule.

It's getting hot out there so get out and enjoy the pre-100's before it is too late!

Snow in April? Really?

Myko making a run for the tennis ball before it hits the snow drift

Well folks, we had some actual bona fide weather this weekend! Snow showers in April here in AZ! Here are some snowy pictures to enjoy.

Spring wonderland

Myko debating the wisdom of her summer hair cut

Lily mid-shake

Some of us are not as thrilled about the snow as others. 

The next morning I could hear loud thunks as the snow dropped off the roof, the sunshine sparkling off the icicles.  The blue sky was a beautiful contrast to the green of the trees adorned with little bursts of white stuff. I guess this will probably be the last of it until next year.

Oh! And we had a wonderful surprise when we found some tulips coming up. They looked pretty sturdy even after the snow but they still haven't bloomed. Any time now.

Bring on the Spring!

Garden update and Weekend goings on

Well hello! Just wanted to update you all with some new garden pictures. I can not believe how big it has gotten! The cukes are crawling up the trellis and the tomatoes are getting taller. There are lots of flowers on the cucumber plants and a few on the tomato plants. Check it out!

Hello there little cucumber to be

 

Look at them go!

A lonely little tomato flower, hopefully he will be joined by lots of BUDdies- get it? heh-heh

 

Now, on to the events for this weekend!!

Here's something that you film aficionados might want to take a look at, it's the Arizona Film Festival. There will be over 150 films by independent producers from around the world, premiere screenings, filmmaker presentations and workshops. This event starts today and goes until April 20th so you've got some time to get down there and check it out.

If you like good food get yourself on over to the 2011 Scottsdale Culinary Festival. The festival begins today and runs until April 10th. The festival features Demonstrations, Great AZ picnic, Le Tour Culinaire, Southwest Festival of Beers, Wine Country Brunch, Best of the Fest, tastings & Epicurean events. Holy cow! How could you think of missing it? YUM!

Also,  Country Thunder  started today! If you haven't gotten tickets yet it isn't too late and there are still lots of acts left to see. Toby Keith, Jason Aldean, Little Big Town and tons more!

And one last event that is FREE! The Tempe Town Lakes Regatta. The Canoe racing, outrigger canoe competition, music & entertainment go from 8AM to 5 PM on April 9th, bring lawn chairs and blankets and, uh, maybe an umbrella. 

Even if we get a little rain this weekend, go enjoy some cool stuff.