Farm Catch Up...

I feel the need to catch up on Hagler Farm News since many who read this are interested in our pumpkins!

I(that's me, by myself, no helper people!) created 125 twelve inch high hills for our delightful pumpkins this past weekend. It took about 3 hours of hoeing to get the hills done in the field, then (with the help of my children!) planted 5 or 6 pumpkin seeds in each hill...

Now is the time to plant pumps if you are going to give it a shot. I am trying some true French Cinderella pumpkins and white pumps, too.

No camera this time, but the soil was perfect , like cake flour! Robert spent two weekends getting the fields ready for pumps, flowers, fruit and veggies....

The plan is to host a "U-Pick" in early October. That depends on God and the deer!

We have a couple of groups(ladies) coming in September for "FlowerCamp", a half-day of learning what works, harvesting, and creating fun floral designs to take home!

Will get pics asap...

see you.
ML

Home Garden Update Part I...

I probably need another blog for the farm since all my updates have been combined and a bit confusing! I have posted a few "H"ome pics to look at and compare in the upcoming weeks...
My tennis buddies laugh at some of my monogramming...

why not take it to the garden????

so, here is a taste of what's in the HOME garden!
One of my favorite sunflowers from Goodness Grows in Lexington, GA.
I searched for this one because I liked the interesting little thingy in the middle!

Still have a few gladiolas popping up(right). Bought some new "African" bulbs in honor of Robert. It's not too late to plant them...

On left, Bee Balm (Monarda). The bees really do love it.

Plant in fall!

This pretty thing came out of Nanci's yard next door.

Have not identified it yet...

All of my tomatoes look great! These are Brandywine, they will be squatty, meaty and fat. Also have Sungold and ACME.

This is my prize for shaking Mullein seed everywhere in my garden last year! This is actually an herb. The ladies in Burke County would disagree and call it a WEED, but it is still so whimsical!





Rose Campion, left, is going to seed. If you would like some to sprinkle in your garden, just email me. Sprinkle it now or this fall and you will have these showy purple/pink flowers on soft gray stems!



A garden club friend, probably in her 80's gave me some seed in an old film canister several years ago. I am happy to share.




The weather is not too hot today, need to catch up in home garden.I'll continue the update later with "Part II".
see you. ML

The Bees are Buzzin'!

hello all!

prepared the fields for pumpkins, and weeded the flower field this weekend in at Hagler Farm, Burke Co.!

took a couple of shots of the honey bees that Dr. Tracy Middlebrooks set up for us last year. he added another level last week to their "highrise"! it looks like we are set for some honey and great pumpkin pollination!

Robert plowed the pumpkin field and the remainder of the flower/experimental field for the last time. They are both ready for planting. Pumpkin seeds will go in this week! Have a very small patch of flowers coming up. Waiting for a sizeable package from Johnny's Select Seed to arrive today...
Flower/experimental field (left)
patch of bright green to right of field is my small bed of flowers and weeds!

Pumpkin Patch (right)

Seeds of Hope

Many of you have been following the battle of little Patrick Chance in his fight against Neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer. I spoke to my garden buddy (Patrick's grandmother), Kris, yesterday, and found out Patrick has more tumors in skull and chest.



Needless to say, the rest of day was spent thinking and praying for this young life. Kris has worked tirelessly to raise money for the Press On Fund which supports Neuroblastoma research. Neuroblastoma is a cancer of the sympathetic nervous system. It is believed that immature nerve cells get mixed signals and develop into blastomas(tumors) and never make it to mature normal nerve cells. The cause of Neuroblastoma is still unknown.

Click on www.pressonfund.org to see pictures of Patrick and learn more about Neuroblastoma.

Kris pleads for our prayers for Patrick and his family. She has worked so hard selling "seeds of hope", Patrick's Amaryllis bulbs & paperwhites at Christmas and driving the "Johnny Hensley and the Red Hots" concert last year. All to raise money for Childhood Cancer research.

The Great Sunflower Project '09

I participated in the Great Sunflower Project last year, and decided to do so again this year. My sunflowers at home are not quite open. The project is really about bees. Bees are critical for pollination and thus, producing fruit. The research is conducted to find out more info on bee activity in community and home gardens.

You can participate by planting your own sunflower seeds and downloading the data sheet on the "Great Sunflower Project" website. They are out of seed for 2009, but again, buy your own.

Hint for Augusta: Lowe's has already put away their seed, but Green Thumb West had some yesterday!

This is a great kid activity and may keep them busy once your sunflowers open!

see you.

ML

Virginia Lillies!

Wanted to share photos of some beautiful "home grown" Lillies from a Garden Buddy in Virginia!

Thanks Nancy!

Are you growing something this summer?

Send pics so we can share!!

see you.

ML

ANOTHER GARDEN EXPLOSION!

sunday, june 7, 2009

There is nothing like coming home after a week's vacation to see the GARDEN EXPLOSION! It's a good thing I asked a garden buddy to put some water on the garden while I was gone!

This is a blue spiderwort plant that blooms in the morning.

The okra is up and looking good. I thinned it this morning. I planted "Cajun Delight" and "Clemson Spineless".A few seeds of okra go a LLOOONNGG way! We love gumbo, cut up okra, onions, tomatoes diced, maybe some corn and butterbeans?!
Is that Gizmo in the monkey grass???

Tomatoes from Kate Lee's 'Oasis Garden' are about 3 1/2 ft tall now. Lots of blossoms, a few little toms. Had to give them a bit of a dustin' before vacation as the aphids were enjoying the plants! There are two of each of the following plants: Acme, Brandywine, and Sungold...

In the background you can see a spot of green. That is my "Topsy Turvy"tomato planter...My gardening friend, Zack:>, gave that to me for my b-day! Must be watered regularly or blossom end rot sets in...Happened to my first '09 tom, so I will watch carefully!

I love Bee Balm (Monarda)! The bees really love it and it reminds me of the cranky Queen's hat in "A Bug's Life"! (apologies for the poor quality pic!)

see you.

ML

I am SOLD on the Organic Choice Fertilizer by Miracle Gro. It definitely has chicken poop in it! The yard is a bit smelly after a rain, but, boy, it sure does the trick!