Summer Squash!

Sawyer's Squash patch is starting to really put off some yellow squash. We picked all this week and still can't keep up. I did a very light fertilize a few weeks back with a hose sprayer. 2 Tablespoons of Miracle-Gro to 1 gallon of water dilution. The squash seems to really do well with this amount.I try to fertilize after I have done a regular watering which seems to increase uptake. Michelle has been frying this up with a little oil in the Lodge 10" Skillet and they have been wonderful!! I am going to experiment by pickling some of the squash with some of the fresh herbs we grew this year. I really wish I had planted some dill. Oh well there is always next year God Willing.....

Summer Peppers!!

Planted "Long Red Slim" Variety Cayenne Peppers and Banana Peppers this year and just had the first harvest. I pickled a mixture of the two in apple cider vinegar and the taste is fantastic! Just a dab of it in a salsa or on peas makes all the difference in flavor. The Cayenne's are extremely hot!! I do not remember them being this hot when I have grown other varieties in the past. Usually the dry summer heat in Texas makes even a Jalapeno extremely hot, but it is still very early and these Cayenne's are kickin' already!! I will post more pictures of the squash, melons, tomatoes, and herbs as the summer progresses. Hope everyone is having great luck in their gardens so far!

Herbs into the Good Earth

     Got the herbs into the ground this week. This small patch should meet all of our needs for the coming summer and fall. I had to "Deer Proof" them with a homemade chicken wire cage. Although the deer have been known to knock cages down to get to sweet basil!!! (Can't say I blame them). There is a very protective Catahoula Cur piled up within ten feet of these herbs though so I think they will be fine this year..... I planted Greek Oregano, Triple Curl Parsley, Tuscan Blue Rosemary, Santo Cilantro, and Sweet Basil. Had to fight off the aphids last year with Dawn Dish Detergent in a spray bottle with water, so we will see what happens this year. Really looking forward to fresh herbs in my salads this year though! May go snap off a piece of sweet basil right now to snack on!  Take care everyone. Peace.

East Texas Spring Fishing!

     Was able to slip away this past Saturday for a few hours to Dragonfly Lake and stir up a little trouble with the bass! The spawn was in full swing. I tried plastic worms first and was unable to get a single strike, which is very uncommon at this lake. I tied on an over-sized top-water bait with rear prop and the bass started to slam it that afternoon. Not sure of the name of this top water bait but it is one of my favorites. I need to buy some of the old Wooden Devil's Horse's by Smithwick. I lost all mine over the years and they are another favorite of mine. They can be picked up on Ebay for under 10 bucks shipped, and are well worth it! Good luck to all with their Spring and Summer Fishing this year. Have Fun!