Love your flowers Ruth! Very pretty 😍 Congrats on your win of words guessed. Its been hot over here. My marigolds are enjoying it though! I also had planted some ginger this past Fall and have five shoots come up. Looking forward to digging them up in the Fall to see what I got. My first time growing ginger. Heres pics of my marigolds and my ginger shoots. Has anyone else ever grown ginger before? If so, any advice on when to harvest the ginger?

My marigolds have not done well. I planted a variety of seeds but only one kind came up and it is not very impressive so far.

I have grown a variety of gingers.

Galangal and regular ginger are the edible kinds I've grown. I never harvested any because I wanted to be sure it had a good start. I grew them several times but always ended up eventually losing them. Sometimes the regular ginger will overwinter but not the Galangal unless protected.

I've grown Luna Moth, White Butterfly, Hardy Peach Ginger and Hidden Ginger. They can last several years but a colder than normal winter can kill them. My peach ginger and regular ginger hasn't come up in a couple of years, so I assume it's gone. The only one up this year is the hidden ginger. I've had it for a long time now.

peach ginger

hidden ginger

hidden ginger

Ruth, a friend gave me the ginger last year to plant, who got it from someone else. I assumed it was the edible kind but now wondering since you mentioned the others too. I do not know what variety I received. Any way to tell? Do they all go to a flower maybe? I might have to dig it up in the Fall to taste it to see if it is edible. I hope it is, I wanted to make pickled ginger with it. Your ginger plants have beautiful flowers! Mine has not made any flowers yet. Hope it does so I can try to determine what kind of ginger I have.

Jeanne, I sent you my words for stars via Houzz message. Thanks!

Annie, I am growing Fall tomatoes too. What kind did you plant? I have several dwarf varieties I am growing and some Purple Cherokee tomatoes too.

Sharon, your ginger does look like the regular edible kind. Notice how different the leaves are on all of them.

I always grow my edible from grocery store bought ginger. My first Galangal ginger was from a trade but after that I just buy it in the store and plant in a pot or ground. My edible gingers never bloomed, but I'm sure it does.

I forgot about the first ginger I ever grew. It was called Shell ginger. It never bloomed and I think it had tall narrow leaves.

STAR answers received from Sharon and Ruth. Continues to be so hot here.

I've grown a ginger with white flowers in SC. I think it was butterfly ginger. Planted some in NC also. Next time I go to the house I'll check if it returned this year. I think it did.

Thanks Ruth for letting me know!

I started seeds for White Wonder cucumbers. I think Nicole sent them to me? I am abit forgetful so I hope that's right! Nicole, I will be sending your envie out this week to you.

Have a good week everyone!

Jeanne ~ I mailed out your card today

HI Sharon, yes, hope white wonder will grow for you.

Take care ladies and have a great week everyone!!

Well, my post from this morning is gone. I was answering Sharon's Q. Tomatoes..Dester, Brandywine, Reisentraube, Barry's Crazy Cherry, Tasty Wine (dw), Sweetie and a few others. I am having a problem with dwarf germination. ...not sure why but I am sure it is me.

I am doing OK on my cucumbers.....finally getting some.

RE Ginger....I planted some a few months ago and they did nothing. Actually it might have been to cold when I did plant them. I think I will try doing it again. Any tips??

Annie I am no ginger expert but I had planted my ginger last Fall before it got cold. Three shoots came up mid spring and two others recently. I had to pull two of my dwarf tomato plants yesterday as they were covered in some kind of tiny mites and I did not want it to spread to the other plants. I have one left of that variety, Nano's Meatball Tomato. Hoping to get some tomatoes from that one to hopefully save some seeds. The three Muncher cucumber plants I recently transplanted are doing good. The next couple of days is suppose to rain so that will definitely help the garden. And hopefully cool us off abit! Maybe Ruth can offer some ginger advice?

Annie, mailed your envelope today.

Planting ginger; I pick out the ones with the biggest nodes. Sometimes they already have small sprouts. Plant and keep watered. Cross fingers.

Today I was able to move my lettuce seedlings into dip cups to give them some room to grow. It's to hot over here for my lettuce to be in the garden so I have them by a inside window till they get big enough to go into the garden. Probably late Sept to October, depending on the weather. I am growing Oakleaf lettuce (a good past grower for us) and Little Gem lettuce (a new variety we are trying out). What are you working on in your garden this week?

Nicole, I was able to go to the post office today and dropped off your envie. It's on its way to you! 🥳

Here's a pic of my lettuce cups today.

RE: Ginger, thanks for info Sharon and Ruth. I have read before that I should not purchase from store as that Ginger might be treated with something....yah, yah, yah....I did anyways. And it should not be soft....correct? I have some ginger in the fridge. I am going to plant in the ground and see if anything happens. Good luck to me!! LOL!

Sharon, your envelope will go out tomorrow. I also ordered two items from Amazon.....they should be delivered next Wednesday. It looks like the Amazon items will arrive at your home together in one package. If that changes, I will let you know. I forgot to write a note on the Amazon order. Maybe the envelope and the Amazon package will arrive on the same day. Open together!!

Sharon, are those Dixie cups?? What a great idea......

I am going back outside now to attempt to plant some bush and pole beans....hoping those darn voles/moles do not eat the underground seeds.

Happy Eve girls!!

OH, I forgot to ask.......

Are you girls watching any good programs/movies/series etc on AMAZON PRIME or NETFLIX or ??????

Annie, hubby and I have been watching two series on Amazon Prime "The Rings of Power" and "The Chosen". It takes so long though for new episodes to come out. Next season is in 2026! We do watch movies on Amazon Prime about every other week. What is everyone else watching?

Also, I reuse/recycle old Dean's dip containers for my starter plants. I punch holes in the bottom of the containers and use the lids under them to catch any water. 👍

Does anyone else reuse/recycle anything for your garden use?

I don't have netflix but I do have amazon prime. I am going to watch The Summer I turn Pretty, its season three. I haven't been watching much Hallmark movies lately. I do like watching Loves Comes Softly series from Janette Oke from youtube. I enjoy Heartland as well.

Any good shows you recommend in the Romance/Holiday category?

Anyone have tithonia seeds (Mexican sunflowers)? I planted and none came up.

Yes, I reuse containers. I have a hard time throwing stuff away that can be reused but if I kept everything, my place would be too crowded for me to move around.

Vacation plans anyone (Annie???) I plan on going to san luis obispo for a few days.

Yesterday made some tiramisu, it was okay, I am not a fan of it but my family enjoys it.

We really enjoyed Season 1 of The Pitt.

But be warned. Info on Season 2

When will The Pitt Season 2 premiere?

HBO Max confirmed that Season 2 will premiere in January 2026.

I save containers also. My 32 oz. yogurt containers are a great size for planting seeds.

Sorry I don't have any tithonia seeds. I haven't planted those in a long time, and I should. The butterflies love them.

I did plant some pepper seeds last week but not sure they will germinate. Some of them are old seeds. Also I've never tried pepper this late in the year before.

Nicole, I do not have any Mexican Sunflower seeds. I have never grown that one before and had to look it up. Pretty flowers though!

I started some Contender green beans seeds last week to have some for a Fall harvest. Have three sprouts so far. Still no Thyme sprouts yet. Added some extra seeds to the container but no germination yet.

Ruth, what peppers are you trying to grow? I have one heatless jalapeño plant in the garden about 2-3 inches in height. Only got one plant from the seeds I started. No peppers yet on the plant. Probably needs another month or two.

No vacation plans here. Have fun on your vacation Nicole!

Oh my, I have not grown Tithonia is several years. I forgot about them...LOL! I see Baker Creek has them. How in the world have I missed these the last years.

Interesting TV programming you have mentioned....

****The Pitt....I have heard about this....very good reviews.

****The Chosen....have heard about this..

****The Rings Of Power....not familiar with this

**********

I am a binger!! I have to say, I do not read much about these shows before I start watching.. I like surprise. I do not want to know the ending in episode 1, or prior to starting the series which is why I read very little prior to watching.

****The Summer I Turned Pretty (PRIME).....watched season 1 and 2 last year....very much enjoyed. I watched season 1 and 2 last week again, just prior to the start of season 3. I am a big fan of this show. I had not read the book but started it. At this point season 3 will be the end. I love the cast.....good characters.

**** The Better Sister. (PRIME).....Very good!! It was 8 episodes.....no season 2.

****We Were Liars. (PRIME).....very, very good! I watched this a couple of weeks ago. Whatever you do, do not read up on this. Somebody will spoil it for you. My girl friend just finished it last night. I kept telling her....do not read up on it. It will make sense at the end. And she called me last night.....did it make sense......YES. They actually left it open for a season 2. But they have not announced if a yes or no on that.

I think I will start "One Night In Idaho, The College Murders" on Prime in the next couple of days.

Nicole, I have to think if I have seen any new Hallmark romance movies that I like.

No big trips for me this summer.....to much stuff going on here.

Happy weekend!!

Love all the garden talk and the movie suggestions. I received my package from Nicole today and took a picture. Once I post this I will move it from my camera to the computer and post the picture. She sent a great red, white and blue card that looks like fireworks and Strawberry Hibiscus tea, Virginia Sicilian Oxheart tomato seeds (will have to look them up) and some stickers that I will enjoy using. Thanks, Nicole. She mentioned that she really likes the song God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood. I love it, too!

Ruth, I will mail to you tomorrow. The mail carrier came before I got down there this morning. I hadn't been to a class at the senior center in a long time, but attended one this morning. Then off to Lowe's and the grocery store. It's so hot that it's about all I can manage in a day. I bought a tiny sage plant and a bigger banana pepper plant while at Lowe's and a tropical hibiscus. I've never had a hibiscus before but they were 50% off and we'll see how it does on my balcony. I don't believe I can overwinter it and it will likely be too big for my balcony later on, but I might get to enjoy it until well into the fall.

I got "Stars" words from Annie and will look through them tomorrow in case anyone sends their list in what remains of today.

Jeanne ~ refresh my memory, were there any stamps inside the small brown envelope?

hope everyone is having a good Friday so far and enjoy your weekend!

Nicole, there are stamps! I could see the larger things without pulling them all of the way out of the little envelope so I hadn't found the stamps. Thanks! Appreciate them. Something we can always use and so nice with the word FREEDOM and the flag.

The Virginia Sicilian Oxheart tomato sounds interesting! I have to look that one up. I had planted some Buzz buttons aka toothache plant seeds in the spring in a hanging pot in the backyard. It is starting to bloom its flowers.

Thunderstorms keep rolling through, but will post that I went through the "Star" lists that were submitted. Annie is the winner! Congratulatons, Annie. Again, it was close. I want to shut the computer down soon, but will try to list the guesses that matched at least one other person tomorrow. It seemed we had more instances where no one matched with the "Stars" game in comparison to the "Stripes" game..

I've been thinking about what to plant for Fall. I have never planted Swiss Chard before. Anyone has any experience with it? If so, what variety of Swiss Chard do you recommend? I believe it can be used for salad or stir fries? We have been trying to add more greens into our diet. Would love to hear your feedback on it 😊👍

Sharon, I love Swiss Chard but have never had luck growing it since I move to NC and SC. Maybe I just didn't do the things it needs to thrive.

Here are the answers were at least 2 people matched in the "Stars" Game;

1. Book Title with the word "star" - No matches
2. Tomato Variety - Jet Star Tomato
3. Song Title with the word "star" - The Star Spangled Banner
4. Any type of legal US currency (bill or coin) with a star - No matches
5. A creature found in the ocean - Starfish
6. A business name that includes the word "star" - Starbucks
7. The word "star" in a language other than English - Estrella (Spanish)
8. Movie Title with the word "star" - Star Wars
9. A person who typically pins on a star - No matches
10. When do you see stars? - No matches
11. Variety of Pepper - Brazilian Starfish
12. A business logo that includes a star(s) - No matches
13. Name for a group of stars in the sky - constellation
14. Any plant that includes the word star - No matches
15. One of the "stars" in the Hollywood Walk of Fame - No matches
16. Flower that is star shaped - No matches
17. City where you would be likely to see stars - No matches
18. Painting that includes stars - The Starry Night
19. The National Football League has stars on its emblem. Name one NFL football team - No matches
20. Hopefully there is an item in your home that shows the star shape (clothing/decor/whatever). What is it? - America Flag

It was fun to try a new type of games. (Looks like the numbering differs from what I typed and what showed up once again!) Prizes will be sent towards the end of the month. No one has signed up to be hostess in August. We can just chat and post garden pictures if you like.

When my daughter was here today she set up my Aerogarden for me so I'll be updating you if any of the seeds sprout and how they do. I planted Genovese Basil, Cherry Falls Tomato, Green Ice, Landis Winter and Tom Thumb Lettuce, and Petite Orange Marigolds. I hope not all the seeds come up. It is way too hot to put any of that lettuce outside.

I took a few minutes today to take pictures of some of the plants on my balcony. Poor plants - it's so hot. I watered them well before going to bed and by mid-morning they needed to be drenched again. At least they took up the water so for now they will be okay.

This is the tropical hibiscus that I got on sale at Lowe's a few days ago. It needs a much bigger pot so when I get a chance I'll stop to get one for it.

This is a coleus that I got on my birthday (March). It likely needs a bigger pot, too. I have to keep it on on the shadier part of the balcony. It can't deal with even much morning sun.

And this last one is one of those blue and black salvias - can't remember the exact name. It was a hitchhiker. In the Spring it sprouted in the container with my hosta. Wasn't sure if it was a weed or what but pulled it out and put it in a separate pot and I'm really glad I didn't discard it. Love the flowers. I had some in the ground at the house and a seed must have blown into the hosta container.

Hope everyone is having a good day.

GOT MAIL from Ruth......

Love the card......and the Morning Glory Glacier Star seeds and the stamps.

Ruth's patriotic quote....

"And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free" God Bless The U.S.A.

~~~Lee Greenwood

I love the song.....play it often!!

Thanks so much Ruth!!

*****

Sharon, you remind me to plant some Swiss Chard. I have not done it in a couple of years....not sure why. I have planted several varieties through the years. The last time I did Bright Lights....love the colors. Thanks for the reminder. I need to get some seeds, I do not recall having any problems growing Swiss Chard. I hate saying that because now I will have problems...haha!

Happy Tuesday!!

Beautiful plants.

I've never grown toothache plant. I have grown Swiss Chard but don't really care for the taste. I've only tasted it when I pick a leaf in the garden. How do you all use it? Maybe it's better cooked. I do enjoy growing the colored ones because they are so pretty.

For greens I like tatsoi, bok choy, choy sum, kale and turnip greens. I do prefer buying the turnip greens based on my growing space and how cheap they are to buy fresh.

Malabar spinach is pretty and easy to grow. Malabar spinach does have mucilage like okra.

Love tropical hibiscus, but don't like having to bring inside for winter. I love the blue salvia's but can't get them to last more than a few years. I had Mystic Spires years ago and it came up every year until I moved it to a different location. Now I can't find a place where it comes back every year. Same with the Black and Blue salvia. I have had Blue Hill for a long time now.

Some pics from yesterday and today

Ruth, great color!! What is the 4th plant on your last post??

RE: Swiss Chard....I always cook....stir fry's, soup.

WOW, I have not grown Malabar Spinach in forever. Where have I been??

# 4 picture is orange/gold lantana with a sunflower and cypress vine in the background

Different sunflower with lantana at bottom.

This lantana makes tons of seeds if anyone is interested. Texas Lantana (Lantana urticoides or Lantana horrida).

I received my envie and goodies from Annie today! She sent a patriotic garden flower flag, a garden plaque and marigold seeds! Her patriotic quote: "Whatever else history may say about me when I'm gone, I hope it will record that I appealed to your best hopes, not your worst fears; to your confidence rather than your doubts. My dream is that you will travel the road ahead with liberty's lamp guiding your steps and opportunity's arm steadying your way". Ronald Reagan, 1989

Thank you Annie! 🥰

Thank YOU Sharon!!! so cute the kitties on the fourth of july card with the seeds of chive, oakleaf lettuce, and washington parish watermelon plus sunflower decal/one dollar off coupon for mouth wash, its always good to save money. thank you for sharing patriotic quote from Thomas Wolfe!!

July has sped by! I'll look through the posts and make sure everyone received their July swap in the mail. So hot here. I'm sure it's the same for many of you. My Aerogarden now has tiny lettuce and tomatoes seeds sprouted. I think the other seeds were too old. No success with them.

Jeanne, thanks for a stars and stripes month! So true, the month moved oh so quickly. But I find the older I get, time does seem to move quicker....haha. I know it can not move quicker but................

Ruth, I would love some of your lantana seeds. I willl send you postage.

Do any of you have a vego kitchen composter? If you have, your thoughts?? They are pricey........

https://vego.com/products/vego-composter?utm_term=Search-Brand&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21912105273&gbraid=0AAAAA9-EM0PsZlylozGrmfFHbUHIB-x-q&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnJfEBhCzARIsAIMtfKI0-C9JgDXYKDbTKuyT91PaOFznCvul9WAr-QLTfIK1K2_FRIYjIaAj57EALw_wcB 

Happy Sunday!!

Just checked that packages had been received and it looks like mine is still on its way to Ruth. Hopefully it will get there tomorrow. I will mail out prizes later this week.

As mentioned, we will have a heading for August but no swap or games. It's nice to share pictures and information about your garden, travel plans or whatever. We have hostesses for September and October so we are in good shape for fall. As for my balcony plants, I pour about 3-4 gallons of water on them a day (not for each plant but for all of them) and they are staying alive and those that bloom have continued blooming so HOORAY! My tiny tomato plants and lettuce plants are still looking good in the Aerogarden. I had to transplant a few of them from one "cup" to another so they made it through that okay. A relief with one of them that had a really large root I had to deal with. I have to try to get the roots into a small spongy thing so it's hard to deal with a larger root.

We have extreme heat warnings until 8 pm tomorrow. Other than walking the dog I have been staying indoors and not doing much. Hope everyone is staying cool.

Annie, no need to send postage for the Lantana seeds. It will be a while before they will be ready. Anybody else for Lantana seeds? There is always a lot.

Hot here too, but no triple digit days yet. Probably will hit triple digits sometime this week.

Be careful when you're doing yard work. I got stung once on my left hand and two or three times on my right hand thru my gloves. And that's the second time this year. Last time I was hand watering when one zapped me on the hand. Yellow Jackets are evil. I was cutting my Artemisia down to the ground when it happened. My hands are still swollen and itchy.

Ruth, I would love some Lantana seeds if you have extras to share later. I will have some toothache plant aka buzz button seeds if anyone is interested. Not ready yet, but will send later. Just let me know.

Hubby got stung a few days ago too! There's wasps nest in the area and I guess he got to close while he was working outside. Hope your hand feels better soon Ruth!

Annie, I never heard of the vego kitchen composter. Do you have one or thinking about getting one? I don't have a compost bin but I do add the chickens' poop to the garden lol. 😂

Jeanne, fun to hear about your Aerogarden! I always wondered about those. Happy to hear yours is coming along! Please post pics of it with plants if you can.

It's very hot over here too! Looking forward to September when its not so hot.

Happy Monday everyone!

Jeanne - thank you for hosting July's swap.

Ruth ~ I got stung by a bee a few weeks ago. So I feel for ur hubby!!

Annie ~ I have heard of the compost but its so small. If you do get it, let us know how it goes.

Sharon ~ the aerogarden is a nice system that I have as well. I enjoy being able grow flowers/veggies from this gadget. Also the roots tend to grow long and having to remove them from the filter is not fun.

Sounds good re: August to just relax/ask questions/post pics/etc etc.

Annie have you gone to Morro Bay? Since its near San Luis Obispo, we headed to Morro Bay and enjoyed our time there. I would like to go back there.

Take care everyone, days are going way to fast for my liken.

Jeanne, I did receive today. Love the stars, stripes, patriotic song lyrics and red zinnia's.

Annie, I haven't heard of the vego kitchen composter. We just have the regular outside compost can.

Our August Garden Club meeting is on Hydroponics. Is that the same as Aerogarden?

Jeanne, thanks for hosting a fun month.

Yes, hydroponics is the system that is used in an Aerograden. Hope you enjoy the class. My younger daughter grows lots of things even year round using hydrophonics. I usually plant seeds in the sponge things that go in the cups but I have also used the Aerograden to root plants and the times I did it, it worked well.

Glad your swap items arrived, Ruth.

Prizes for July will be mailed tomorrow. I was feeling crafty!

As for composting, I used to have a compost bucket (kind of like an ice bucket) to toss things into in the kitchen but then I would take it outside every few days to add to my big composter in the yard. Never seemed to have much luck with it though. I think it stayed too dry.

I do not have the vego kitchen composter. I know a few people who do have it and they like it. I rather like composting the old fashioned way....the big bin that takes a while to compost. The vego is rather small. and I think, a bit expensive. The people I know that have it are simple gardeners......no seed planting and have a very small places to garden.

Hydroponics...I know nothing about. I should read about the Aerogarden.

Ruth, thanks for the Lantana seeds...in the future.

Sharon, I would love some Toothache seeds....in the future. Thank you!

Nicole, yes, I have been to Morro Bay. I never go to Morro during the Summer. Where did you guys stay? I always get very good Clam Chowder in Morro. I have not stayed In Morro Bay for many, many years. I always stay in Cayucos which is about 15 minutes North of Morro Bay

What did you guys do up in that area? Did you go to Hearst Castle??

RE: bites....bees, wasps, yellowjackets......I get bit every Summer at leat one time.....Benadryl is my best friend along with ice. We have not had a hot, hot day yet. don't think we have been higher than 94 degrees. The very hot, hot days are when the bugs like to bit me.....LOL.....soon!

Happy day!!

Annie ~ how do you get your outside compost to get it just right? I am so bad, mine still looks like nothing like compost, i guess I can't just toss and forget about it, hahaha. For San Luis Obispo, we stayed one night at Quality Inn, it was nice, the free breakfast :)

For Morro Bay, the clam chowder was good. we walked towards the volcano (i think that is what it was), also, the power plant closed down. I will post some pics in a bit. Is the crowds during summer is that why you don't go. When you stay at Cayucos, what do you do there?

For us, we mainly go eat at nearby restaurants and stroll around the shops. I am not much into going in water (too many times almost drown so I don't think pools/oceans are a good place for me). Let me know other areas that are not to far for a visit.

hope everyone is doing well. I know we probably have way more seeds than we need but Mary Heirlooms is having a sale on mystery seed bags. https://www.marysheirloomseeds.com/products/heirloom-seeds-mystery-grab-bag?fbclid=IwY2xjawL4nexleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHpPbPUL_lGL6FAYA5g9x7tfw5o5XrCPghyS6-xf_ZxFzgGG5cYCtbAoawIeD_aem_FXLW-RBD89A913SFO8brpA

I hope you all had a wonderful July. I have missed the last couple months but I am signing up for August if anyone is interested please join!

Amy, I'm sorry I didn't know you had signed up to be hostess in August, Thank you! Heading over to the new post to read it!

It has been super hot here for most of July. Finally we are going to get some cooler days.

Nicole, you wanted some Hallmark movies. Here ya go.

This was VERY good...different for Hallmark. Romance, suspense...check it out. It is a 6 hr fest.

Premeired last night....PROVIDENCE FALLS. It was a 2 hr movie. The story will continue with another 2 hr movie next Sat eve and then another 2 hr movie I believe the following week.

I am with AT&T....Hallmark will play it again today at 4pm..

Annie ~ thank you for letting me know!!! Also, i haven't watched The Summer I turned pretty yet for third season since I want to watch it for hours :)

Hope everyone is doing well!!! Happy Sunday, we are into August already, where did the time go?

Got prize in mail from Jeanne. I received in yesterdays mail but I just opened.

Jeanne made a little notepad and seed packet for the seeds....really cute. Seeds are Zinnia Blueberry Cheesecake.

Thanks so much Jeanne!!

I also received my prize. I love the little notes. So cute.

Thank you so much.