Peppers in the Zinnia Patch!

   Back when I planted the large bed of zinnias, a few pepper seeds must have been mixed in with the seeds.  Four plants grew right along side of the flowers and flourished.  I figured that the seeds knew what they were doing in sprouting among the zinnias so I left them.  I did plant peppers in the veggie plot but nary a one grew.  Since the plants were not where I normally go to gather crops, I overlooked a healthy bunch of goodness!

  This afternoon, the basil was quite withered so a good watering was in need.  Well, one thing led to another and I was soon watering all of the gardens.  As I dragged the hose around to the back of the zinnia bed, a few peppers caught my eye!  Oh, wow!  The hose was plopped down to soak the ground while I picked the beauties!  They may not be the largest nor the most perfectly shaped peppers but I was a happy camper!  There are still dozens of tiny ones on the plants!  Sometimes, you just have to let things do what they please...where they please.  Tasty peppers will be somehow worked into tomorrow's meal!

Hiding the Peppers!

  The Small Gardens of the Bayou are neither flower beds nor vegetable plots.  They are more of a combination of the two.   In the midst of the zinnias you will often find chives.  Among the cabbages, it is not uncommon to find marigolds.  Tomatoes, basil and petunias all live happily next to each other.  Peppers, well, peppers grow wherever they please.  

  I have yet to "formally" plant peppers of any sort.  They (and tomatoes) just sort of sprout from table scraps that are tossed in the gardens as compost and then flourish in their chosen domain.  Behind the zinnias and under the blueberry bushes, there are about a dozen pepper plants that are yet to be identified as the type.  Although the plants are almost hidden under the bushes they are flourishing and are supplying me with enough that I can even freeze or can.  They greatly resemble some sort of hot pepper in shape but, even though they have a bit of tang, are not "hot".  They do greatly resemble poblano peppers so maybe?  Whatever they are, I am fully enjoying adding them to my meals.  Mark and Son are not fans of any peppers so these are my special treat!  

  The Small Gardens are a happy place for me.  I can go there as an escape and while away the hours among the plants.  The idea is to extend these gardens with even more pathways and perhaps add a few more arbors for climbing plants.  Peas, beans, cucumbers and even gourds will appreciate the support.  Big ideas...little time.  Hopefully, it will come to pass.

Color in the Garden!

  Have you priced flower pots recently?  My goodness!  All I wanted was some of the cheap, nursery quality black pots so I could plant a few tomatoes and peppers.  It did not matter the style or appearance.  I just needed some one gallon and some two gallon pots.  Cheap pots are not something that stores around here carry.  Mark and I started searching and most places wanted at least $5 a pot!  Nope.  That was not happening!  I would go broke buying flower pots to get enough tomatoes to make sauce!  So...the search was on to find some affordable, one time use flower pots.

  It was early afternoon when an idea struck me!  Why buy flower pots???  If I just wanted something to contain my tomato plants, did it matter if it was a bucket?  I checked bucket prices.  Well, that was some better.  You could buy a bucket for a mere $3.50.   Still at that price, I would be sinking more money than I wanted.  More searching was in order.  Trash cans!  Yeah!....No...$4.63.  Then another brilliant idea!  Ok...a plug here for a business but I have to give a big shout out to Dollar Tree!

  Mark and I headed to the local Dollar Tree and racked up on pots!  One gallon, two gallon and three gallon wonderful pots...uhhh...storage containers were filling the shelves and then our basket!  Mark is one of those shoppers that clears a shelf when he finds what he needs.  I came home with 59 lovely planters for $1 a piece! All that is needed is to drill some small drainage holes and I will be in business planting!  With this many pots, I have enough to, not only grow tomatoes and peppers but lots of flowers!  The assorted colors will add a bit of brightness to even the darkest corners of the garden.  Yep!  Mark came to my rescue and Dollar Tree had just what I needed!  Win!!