So much for the Pumpkins

Well, we made it through a brutally hot summer, and the tomatoes didn't completely shrivel up an die. I have no idea if they will make any tomatoes still, although they are finally growing and blossoming without the 100 degree weather. We shall see. However, the pumpkins didn't fare too well. I planted three pumpkin sprouts, organic jackolanterns, and had no idea what I was in for.

The little pumpkin sprouts turned into three gigantic vines and at first I was excited we would have some jackolanterns. Then when two of the biggest ones were about to turn orange, the pumpkin disaster occured. I have no clue what did it, we do have garden moles, but something ate and completely devoured my two jackolanterns. Oh well, guess I'll have to pick one up at walmart. I was planning on growing some pumpkins for the porch for Halloween.

I do have hopes that the cool season will give me time to recuperate with the gardening, start some indoor sprouts, and give me another chance come spring. We had great success with the cucumbers, the jalapeno plants are still stumped and not growing, some peppers are on a potted plant on the porch, pumpkins didn't happen, and don't even ask about the radish disaster. But we had a good time, and we learned. My coleus plants are growing though, from seed they sprouted!

By the way, check out my first Gardening Picture Gallery. These are just some random shots, but more to come soon. Make sure to look at all the pics of the tomato hormworm!

Walmart Flower Seeds & Mail Order Cactus Seeds

Today was a lovely Monday and I picked up some cheap flower seeds at Walmart. It looked like the seed display was rained on, so lots of the packs of seeds were sort of dried and stuck together. And of course, the cheap seeds being the American Seed brand were the ones mostly stuck together. However I managed to find some packs that were not ruined and will be starting some seeds indoors soon to plant outdoors and in pots later this year. This being our first year gardening in our new home in South Louisiana, I figure I will be testing the waters with what flowers will make it through the cold season and the wet mud as well. Being from Southern California, I am realizing the plants here have to be way more hardy to get through the storms if they are going to survive outdoors on their own.

Here is a webcam shot of the flower seeds:



In total I bought: Zinnia Thumbelina, Zinnia Lilliput, Zinnia Candy Cane Mix, Marigold Petite Orange, Marigold Lemon Drop, Marigold French Double Dwarf Mixed Colors, Cosmos Bright Lights Mix, Lobelia Crystal Palace, Bachelor Buttons Cyanus Double Mixed Colors, Snapdragon Dwarf Magic Carpet, Hummingbord Wildflower Mix, and Cinnamon Basil.

And after we got back from grocery and seed shopping, the mail arrived and the cactus seeds we ordered finally got here! That's right, growing cactus in the swamp. Just keep them out of the rain and they do alright. So far, so good. I'll post some pics of our cactus soon too. Here are the exciting cactus seeds:



Cactus seed packets from top left clockwise: Saguaro Cactus, Barrel Cactus, Golden Barrel Cactus, Dish Garden Mixed Cactus Seeds, and Organ Pipe Cactus Seeds.

More about these interesting plants when they sprout and I get them growing!

Better hurry and get the saguaros in the ground! I wonder how long it takes til you get a bloom?