Bug Season in Texas

Conditions have been ideal here in Central Texas this Spring for all kinds of bugs. Some of the most popular critters coming into the nursery in plastic bags are salt marsh caterpillars, various leaf and flower beetles, spider mites, scale, and these guys. I wrongly identified them last week when a customer brought them in as Paranapiacaba tricincta, or Desert Leaf Beetle. Today, I got a chance to look at them more carefully when a co-worker brought some in. Still, even with a few other critter-enthusiasts at the info desk helping me search, I couldn't find an exact match. We are fortunate to have a microscope that takes pictures though, something that makes the bug-lover in me absolutely rejoice, so I snapped a pic of ours and sent it to www.whatsthatbug.com. I LOVE this site, and have probably mentioned it before over at Junebug Soup. I spent my first year of gardening glued to it. Every time I noticed a new bug in the garden, I tossed it in a jar, and it sat next to my computer until I could find it on WTB. Today, I also utilize www.bugguide.net, a more organized but slightly less personalized site. Both are wonderful sites and together provide a powerhouse of information.

WTB answered me by the time I got home from work, so I can bring the info back in tomorrow for the next person that brings in a baggy of these Opulent Lema Leaf Beetles. Thanks WTB!!!

Austin Zen Center Gardens

So far we just have the weeds cleared and a few veggies planted. We will be putting more stuff in Sunday and watching and waiting.

Gallettes from Tassajara Dinners and Desserts

I used the dough from TD&D, and the idea for mushrooms, but didn't use their recipe for filling. Galletes are one of those nice things were you can just wing it. I had some feta, some apples, and some mushrooms to use, so I made two little gallettes, one with mushroom and feta, and the other with apple and feta. I applied a liberal egg wash to the top of each, and baked them at 425 for 15 minutes. The book says to turn down your oven and bake them another 15-30, but mine were done after the 1st fifteen minutes at 425, perhaps because I made two small tarts rather than one large one. Regardless, they were really very easy, and one of the prettiest things I've ever made. These, a nice salad, and a bottle of wine will impress just about anyone. Enjoy!

My First Attempt at a Tomato Rose

Well, my second. The one I flash right at the beginning was my first. A sharp knife is imperative, and I mean SHARP, and as such you probably shouldn't cut towards your thumb like I'm doing. Have fun!

A Few Notes From the Fall Garden

This lovely debutante is an okra flower, probably one of the most beautiful flowers I know of, a delicate beauty which gives way to the one of the most under-appreciated vegetables I know of.
The whole garden is renewed and loving the wet weather, and today was the first truly cool weather day so far. It was fantastic. I have several little eggplant coming in, and a bounty of microgreens (marketing-speak for thinned seedlings) which provide a tart/bitter/hot/sweet delight as well as tons of nutrients when added to a salad. It also somewhat eases the pain of pulling those little babies you have spent the last few weeks caring for and willing to grow, a task I always find especially heart breaking.

What is the highlight of your Fall garden? Are you looking forward to pickling beets? Having greens all winter? Adding fresh kale to your morning smoothie?

This Sunday I will be overhauling the Austin Zen Center's garden, along with a few other members. Stay tuned for pictures, and enjoy the soup and sweater weather.

Cheftalk.com Photo Contest!

Hey foodies!

I haven't really gotten around to it yet, but I intend to post some good food stuff on this blog as well, as it relates loosely to gardening and organics, because it's my blog and I can. That being the case, my first food-related post is to encourage you, my lovely readers, to enter your favorite food photos in Cheftalk.com's food photography contest. Prizes include a FusionWood Petty Knife by New West Knife Works, a Mini Espresso Grinder, $50 Amazon gift certificates, and James Paterson cookbooks. I have spent hours looking at the photos on their site (seriously) and there's some stiff competition. So show 'em what you got! Oh yeah and vote for me! My handle is BamBam7.

Cheftalk.com Food Photography Contest

Question number two comes from my good friend and training partner, Graham, over at Impolite Company. He writes:

Q:

"I've recently discovered evidence of cats in my beds (no, silly, the ones outside with the plants--cats in my inside bed is par for the course and isn't even frowned upon around here), as in cat scratchings and poop. I've recently added more pine straw to the popular areas and this morning I sprayed it down with habanero juice. Don't know if this will work or not with repeated applications but while I'm waiting to see I thought I'd take advantage of your open-ended request for questions and see if you have other ideas."

A:

Ugh, I've had this problem before too. Some years I do and some years I don't, and I have always lived where cats were a common outside presence, so I am guessing it has to do with what I have planted and whether or not there is a nearby better option. First of all, I think the habanero is a good idea. you may have to re-apply once or twice, but once they get the idea that you garden burns their booties, they will likely just keep away for good. Cats also dislike citrus smells, so you could spear a citrus rind or ten around the garden or spray with citrus oil, which may last longer than hot pepper oil and won't hurt you if you come across it accidentally yourself. Citrus oil will also keep some unwanted insect pests away. Speared citrus fruit will attract butterflies, which you may want to do if you are growing flowers, maybe not so much if you are growing green, leafy veggies you would like to save for your own dinner. You could also plant citronella or citrus-scented mints, thymes, and/or geraniums around the border of the garden. I noticed you built your beds with cinder blocks--perfect! Fill the holes with dirt and plant your deterrent plants in there. It will be lovely as well as functional. Your garden is beautiful by the way--I'm impressed!