tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8118430674303471422024-03-12T21:30:22.533-05:00Herban BlissMusings of a South Texas Herb GardenerBrownsville Herb Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942019247397468174noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811843067430347142.post-70526934216421635602016-02-12T15:56:00.001-06:002016-02-12T15:56:54.059-06:00Gardening events you won't want to miss - here and around Texas!<div style="text-align: center;">
Want to learn more about gardening and herbs and have fun doing it? Attend as many programs as you can. I've compiled a list of ones that I'm aware of locally and around Texas with links to register or to gather more information.</div>
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Know of any I didn't list? Let me know.</div>
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Good Gardening!</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">FREE</span></strong></div>
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<strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/100717466983091/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Citrus Greening Disease and</span></a></strong></div>
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<strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/100717466983091/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Citrus Tree Management Program</span></a></strong></div>
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<strong>with Chuck Malloy, Cameron County Master Gardener.</strong></div>
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<strong>Be the first to pre-order your certified citrus trees.</strong></div>
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Wednesday, February 17, 2016</div>
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9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.</div>
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Cameron County San Benito Annex</div>
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1390 W. Expressway 83 San Benito, TX. 78586</div>
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Register by contacting Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service</div>
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Cameron County office at 956/361-8236</div>
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followed by:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKj11YoOEtdiddN3yosBcp6N0u6WcqSfUW257Q07x11EM6psIYRg3AV7ANBZR0YnmdFkj0e0aj1NiqRC2hRpPKVQcU4xmoWc09PozoKOjoQ1-nIyDsBxoqeS72si13z65UmhltmcRaO1Bh/s1600/rainwater+harvesting+workshop+2-17-16+registration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKj11YoOEtdiddN3yosBcp6N0u6WcqSfUW257Q07x11EM6psIYRg3AV7ANBZR0YnmdFkj0e0aj1NiqRC2hRpPKVQcU4xmoWc09PozoKOjoQ1-nIyDsBxoqeS72si13z65UmhltmcRaO1Bh/s640/rainwater+harvesting+workshop+2-17-16+registration.jpg" width="464" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.facebook.com/194463870587764/photos/gm.217708625231846/1107748219259320/?type=3&theater" href="https://www.facebook.com/194463870587764/photos/gm.217708625231846/1107748219259320/?type=3&theater" target="_blank">Rainwater H</a><a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.facebook.com/194463870587764/photos/gm.217708625231846/1107748219259320/?type=3&theater" href="https://www.facebook.com/194463870587764/photos/gm.217708625231846/1107748219259320/?type=3&theater" target="_blank">arvesting Workshop</a></span></b></div>
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Same location as Citrus Greening program above</div>
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11 - noon, $50 fee includes rain barrel</div>
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<a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.facebook.com/events/164316193943244/" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/164316193943244/" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Spring Grafting Workshop</span></b></a></div>
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Saturday, February 20, 2016, 1-3 PM</div>
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Rivers End Nursery, Bayview, TX</div>
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Hands on grafting/budding class.</div>
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Learn to propagate tropical/subtropical fruit & flowering</div>
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trees with techniques used by commercial producers. </div>
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Bring your own grafting knife.</div>
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A limited number of grafting knives will be available for sale.</div>
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Other materials will be furnished.</div>
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Cost $20 - includes the avocado and mango tree</div>
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that you will graft in class to take home with you.</div>
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Sign up by clicking <a href="http://riversendnursery.com/index.php/component/virtuemart/476/556/tickets/grafting-workshop-february-20-detail?Itemid=0" target="_blank">Grafting Workshop Tickets</a></div>
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followed by:</div>
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<a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.facebook.com/events/578539375636258/" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/578539375636258/" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Texas Rare Fruit Growers - Rio Grande Valley:</span></b></a></div>
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<a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.facebook.com/events/578539375636258/" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/578539375636258/" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: large;">11th Meet & Greet/Plant, Scion,</span></b></a></div>
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<a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.facebook.com/events/578539375636258/" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/578539375636258/" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Seed Exchange, & Fruit Tasting</span></b></a></div>
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Saturday, February 20, 2016, 3:30 PM</div>
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Rivers End Nursery & Farm, Bayview, TX</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Easy Edibles: How to Grow & Enjoy Fresh Food</b></span></div>
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with well known author Judy Barrett.</div>
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Saturday, March 19, 2016, 1 PM</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/brownsvillehistoricalassociation/" target="_blank">The Brownsville Historical Association</a>.</div>
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Judy has authored several books and blogs on organic</div>
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and all things gardening on <a href="http://homegrowntexas.com/" target="_blank">"Judy Barrett's Homegrown" blog.</a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">FREE Gardening Classes</span></b></div>
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<b>Next program - March 3, 2016, 6 PM with speaker:</b></div>
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<b>Texas AgriLife Extension Agent Scott Kunkle.</b></div>
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<b>on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at 6 pm </b></div>
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Sessions: 1 Garden Site Locations, 2 Soils, 3 Composting,</div>
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4 Raised Beds and Container Gardening/ Garden Maintenance,</div>
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5 Pest Management, 6 Harvesting</div>
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<b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/brownsvillewccommunitygardens/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Brownsville Wellness Coalition</a>/Community Gardens</b></div>
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City of Brownsville Parks and Recreation building, 1387 East Tyler</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I go to this event every year!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.festivalhill.org/calendar/details.php?id=1706" target="_blank">2016 Herbal Forum</a></b></span></div>
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Friday-Saturday, March 18-19, 2016</div>
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Round Top, Texas featuring herb of the year, the Chili Pepper!</div>
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Workshops, speakers, herbal luncheon, herb plant sale.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.sanantonioherbmarket.org/basil-fest.html" target="_blank">Basil Fest 2016</a></b></span></div>
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Pearl Farmer's Market area, San Antonio, TX</div>
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Saturday May 21, 2016 9 am - 1 pm</div>
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All things basil - need I say more?</div>
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<a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.heartoftexasherbsymposium.com" href="http://www.heartoftexasherbsymposium.com/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Heart of Texas Herb Symposium</span></strong></a></div>
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April 23, 2016 in beautiful Wimberly, Texas</div>
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Early registration deadline $99 to March 15, after that $119.</div>
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(Space is limited so please register early!) </div>
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I plan on attending this event.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>"<a href="http://www.ezherbs.net/" target="_blank">Becoming an Herbalist"</a></b></span></div>
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Austin School of Herbal Studies 2016 Classes</div>
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begins April 29th, 2016, Austin, TX.</div>
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Visit www.ezherbs.net for complete info and registration.</div>
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Ellen Zimmerman is awesome and this is the last year</div>
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she will be offering her apprenticeship program so if you can attend, </div>
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it will be well worth it.</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.texasthymeunit.org/" target="_blank">Herb Festival at the Wynne Home</a></span></strong></div>
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Huntsville, TX April 9, 2016, 936-891-5024 </div>
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Herbal vendors, plant sale, speakers.</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.blancochamber.com/page-1649695" target="_blank">Blanco Lavender Festival</a></span></strong></div>
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June 10-12, 2016</div>
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Blanco, TX</div>
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This festival is all things lavender!</div>
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Totally fun to attend. I attended several years ago.</div>
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A friend and I even attended a cooking class at </div>
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<a href="http://www.juniperhillsfarm.com/" target="_blank">Onion Creek Kitchens at Juniper Hills Farm Onion Creek</a> </div>
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(830-833-0910) while there - totally fun weekend!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.sanantonioherbmarket.org/about-us.html" target="_blank">25th Annual Herb Market</a></b></span></div>
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Saturday, October 15, 2016 </div>
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at the Historic Pearl Brewery, San Antonio, TX</div>
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FREE family fun event with herb vendors, free programs, cooking demos.</div>
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Brownsville Herb Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942019247397468174noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811843067430347142.post-58742214285963705552015-11-20T22:31:00.000-06:002015-11-20T22:31:46.828-06:00Rabbit ControlCustomer Question – Something ate all the plants I had just planted into my garden a couple days ago. What could it be?<br />
My speculative answer - It could be rabbits.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XceXRHVZXil0_tzNg_lYCGYiW-TWp5-Jlj8FwKPY35oBsz4ZDQiLm1x9zRNv3Yj88khP0XyjXONsa5mjU4gvFhZVZODqjz0IgzCmKY2Q_4ctiR-S8sG8bw5JtR2k4YT9373or-ATH0hx/s1600/Dilly+checking+me+out+salad+bowl+behind.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XceXRHVZXil0_tzNg_lYCGYiW-TWp5-Jlj8FwKPY35oBsz4ZDQiLm1x9zRNv3Yj88khP0XyjXONsa5mjU4gvFhZVZODqjz0IgzCmKY2Q_4ctiR-S8sG8bw5JtR2k4YT9373or-ATH0hx/s320/Dilly+checking+me+out+salad+bowl+behind.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet Dilly.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPVmrohz7g8LQEeddvVWnwMx_NcasGQlveZhvQZnMi3UeptdkjG1ZL9Z5HtoIT7Z9zuaM6ZBaTD5tVA0hSB3aSXSQxDFB20_urIlP4pRq1pv2i9aHCQgDUTI5NJTDk2Lq9HNA3zxxS7c4/s1600/Emily+dilly.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPVmrohz7g8LQEeddvVWnwMx_NcasGQlveZhvQZnMi3UeptdkjG1ZL9Z5HtoIT7Z9zuaM6ZBaTD5tVA0hSB3aSXSQxDFB20_urIlP4pRq1pv2i9aHCQgDUTI5NJTDk2Lq9HNA3zxxS7c4/s400/Emily+dilly.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"><i>Our cat Dilly seems to keep the rabbits living around our property in check (knock on wood) from getting into the garden and we have plenty of rabbits in the front and back area.</i></span></td></tr>
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I wish I had a motion sensor camera to answer questions like this – at least one you could check out at the library as needed right indefinitely? From a quick review of my many gardening books and online I found the following regarding rabbits.<br />
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RABBITS<br />
Rabbits – are attracted to your garden plants due to their moisture (like birds are to tomatoes – for the moisture content). George Brookbank, author of <i><u>The Desert Gardener’s Calendar</u></i>, scoffs at all of the home remedies you read about and writes: the only effective thing to do about rabbits is to surround your garden completely with fencing, at least 3’ wide with small mesh. Bury it 6” deep so the rabbits can’t squeeze under it and never leave the gate open.”<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJqsC2VjO0Xhk4ufUaJTmqDBIagdoUMKqOVMaIGgpFhsxM31k-EIFwqKA-dpuYqbaBt-qmDVbygKOGIoS4wIFq2JSCgqbFlNzB5iVPNLE4b4TDr_5LZjmsJX5UeAOKLsDqHQt8_VZMFqy/s1600/Rabbit_cage+photo+by+Ben+Allen+Iowa+gardener.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJqsC2VjO0Xhk4ufUaJTmqDBIagdoUMKqOVMaIGgpFhsxM31k-EIFwqKA-dpuYqbaBt-qmDVbygKOGIoS4wIFq2JSCgqbFlNzB5iVPNLE4b4TDr_5LZjmsJX5UeAOKLsDqHQt8_VZMFqy/s400/Rabbit_cage+photo+by+Ben+Allen+Iowa+gardener.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">The Iowa Gardener</i><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"> website showcased the<br />example above of a fenced garden to keep out rabbits.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPJze_CKHlADcKkVgCzWpKHYgZNPG-_tzApKuExg571X4k8KLSyEQQA28YUY5tEs-Yhha2t16iWmQNCIGF8CU2W_gfQfbw3R_WLEEclTnsNea5CUS5EROh_oH5ATZ0ZR42weX6f7hr5ot/s1600/kate+salad+garden+1+compr+use+this+one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPJze_CKHlADcKkVgCzWpKHYgZNPG-_tzApKuExg571X4k8KLSyEQQA28YUY5tEs-Yhha2t16iWmQNCIGF8CU2W_gfQfbw3R_WLEEclTnsNea5CUS5EROh_oH5ATZ0ZR42weX6f7hr5ot/s400/kate+salad+garden+1+compr+use+this+one.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">My friend Kate McSwain gardens uses horse troughs for her raised beds.<br />I expect the height of these deter rabbits from getting into them.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdv7jEWf9Z4QBaKb020l-ifIqFt_0D_fyMG4vigpV3Hy40YyoyBlietiFjJhBUIsrkexqM163nXs06UK6WPhF5SrM-YG3TvLqd6-9ojE75Abckqae7FMza6OkWcAHuDek4QJzuXPjdLlOF/s1600/rabbit+w+ears+in+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdv7jEWf9Z4QBaKb020l-ifIqFt_0D_fyMG4vigpV3Hy40YyoyBlietiFjJhBUIsrkexqM163nXs06UK6WPhF5SrM-YG3TvLqd6-9ojE75Abckqae7FMza6OkWcAHuDek4QJzuXPjdLlOF/s320/rabbit+w+ears+in+garden.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the only rabbit we are OK to have in the garden and we call this our<br />cwazy watch rabbit. He moves around to wherever new gardens are planted<br />and he has been on the move lately - whoo hoo!</td></tr>
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<div>
The Gardener’s Supply Co. had a couple other good tips for <a href="http://www.gardeners.com/how-to/rabbit-control-in-the-garden/5465.html" target="_blank">Rabbit Control</a> worth reading which I found helpful (including looking for rabbit droppings). Let me know what works for you.</div>
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Brownsville Herb Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942019247397468174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811843067430347142.post-3437762373139610602015-08-28T22:48:00.000-05:002015-08-28T22:48:17.492-05:00New for Me - How about You?<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rivers End Nursery out of Bayview, Texas specializes in delicious tropical fruits from around the world and the plants that produce them. You can find their seasonal fruit at Franny's booth at both the Brownsville Farmers Market (FM), 9-noon every Saturday and the South Padre Island Farmers Market,11-1 every Sunday. Franny is a wealth of information and it's always a treat to visit with her.</span></div>
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Kathy Pechacek of Rivers End Nursery reports this week you will find Longans (the end of their harvest is fast approaching) along with Star Fruit, Guava, Strawberry Guava, Sugar Applies, Citron (Buddha Hand) and Jambolan Plum at Franny's booth.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsi0XcUfFmOG7ss_R4C2P1Or1hAyjGYgHj72mfFHbVXpI8YaJDfwStrdedN8O1pRuqoPBd-kKpwSzYwV_1AKnldiPLesoNwLVQ1w9APsRFKHS-ZexYbVPUTXNlQ3ABWR-0lMLefwUv9cB/s400/Longan+cluster+kathy+rivers+end+for+blog.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">You can see the black seed in the middle of the fruit of the<br />one sliced in half above. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">You don't want to eat the seed<br />but you want to eat the fruit around it, after it's been peeled.</span></span></td></tr>
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If you are like me, alot of these fruit are new to me. Last week I tried a Longan. They are easy to peel and have a nice taste. Its kinda of like eating a pomegranate but without the tart flavor. They have a pretty black seed inside of them.Be sure and try some at the market this week while they are still available. </div>
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If you are like me, alot of these fruit are new to me. Last week I tried a Longan. Be sure and try some at the market this week while they are still available. They are easy to peel and have a nice taste. Its kinda of like eating a pomegranate but without the tart flavor. They have a pretty black seed inside of them.</div>
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According to Kathy of Rivers End Nursery "Longans are probably best eaten out of hand. They are certainly a challenge in cooking because the flesh is hard to separate from the seed."</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Tropical Fruit Growers of South Florida website states Longans are sometimes called "Dragon Eyes" because when the peel is removed, you can see the dark seed through the translucent flesh of the fruit and it gives the appearance of an eyeball! They have a great video on Longans worth watching. Don't miss out on buying some of these locally grown longans while they are still in season!</span></div>
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For anyone industrious enough to try, here is a recipe using them:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><b>Chicken with Longan & Macadamia Salad</b><br />Ingredients (serves 4)</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 cup macadamia nuts</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 chicken breast fillets</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">lettuce, washed, dried, torn</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 c. longans, peeled and halved, seed removed</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 c. snow pea sprouts, trimmed (other sprouts can be used)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 Tbsp. olive oil</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 Tbsp. lemon juice</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 tsp. finely shredded fresh mint leaves</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pinch sugar</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Cook chicken in small amount of oil until fully cooked. Transfer to a plate to cool.</span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Combine the lettuce, longans and sprouts and place on plate. Place the oil,<br />juice, mint and sugar into a screw top jar and shake until blended. Pour dressing<br />over salad and toss to combine. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Slice the chicken and serve with the salad. Sprinkle with macadamias to serve.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~From the <b>Tropical Fruit Growers of South Florida</b><br />Someone posted the fruit was good in jello too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Don't miss out on buying some of these locally grown longans while they are still in season! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">~~~~~~~~</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20.7999992370605px;">Speaking of Franny previously, look whose on the cover? This book, by Judy Barrett, looks really good and you can a pre pub discount if you order it before September 30th. We hope to get Judy down for one of her programs in the spring. She writes an informative newsletter on organic gardening and is the author of several books.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://homegrowntexas.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeV15dEtFqsxAtXyygBs4HLmYZw7WOvo06Txcq9F7RQ2G35l9nWr-Ow7xh-VmQNeIXgxPfi1g4rOvioXsVFj1GDhedqMTto7oyL6Z6xs7_UAeiVk_HGvutrGuDRSNVwXDOrUk8SkaX5jMv/s400/easy+edible+judy+barrett+franny+on+cover.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://homegrowntexas.com/" target="_blank">There's Franny on the cover (right bottom)<br />of Judy Barret's new book Easy Edibles</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Judy Barrett posted on facebook: "Just got the preview copy of my new book! Easy Edibles: How to Grow & Enjoy Fresh Food. Lots of ways to grow and find fresh, local food without all the work of becoming a farmer! Add food to your existing landscape, pick-your-own opportunities, farmers markets, plant in containers and much more. It's $20 includling shipping and tax until Sept. 30. Order from me, <a href="http://homegrowntexas.com/">Judy Barrett</a> to receive this pre-pub discount before September 30, 2015."</span>Brownsville Herb Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942019247397468174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811843067430347142.post-35228458583446092092015-06-05T21:19:00.003-05:002015-06-05T22:19:38.861-05:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><h2>
Yes, I eat my Homework</h2>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs06KQLSP7iTDHQnlY5hlDlVFHxjjhRqGAYy7BKBOfppnfrX2zen5p_f_I93Dx7R1kQE8QazNI6fU0VoltP4ImHJSqhyphenhyphenAiyjpU5AYPBNwY7kQolbxmAny-LSofq08Snc93YBpdIdnDr4iC/s1600/chinese+burritos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs06KQLSP7iTDHQnlY5hlDlVFHxjjhRqGAYy7BKBOfppnfrX2zen5p_f_I93Dx7R1kQE8QazNI6fU0VoltP4ImHJSqhyphenhyphenAiyjpU5AYPBNwY7kQolbxmAny-LSofq08Snc93YBpdIdnDr4iC/s400/chinese+burritos.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My homework from class - Chinese Burritos in the making.</td></tr>
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I am learning a lot from attending the La Cocina Alegre cooking and nutritional education class sponsored through a grant from WalMart and brought to us by the Brownsville Wellness Coalition (the wonderful folks who head up the Brownsville Farmers Market and Community Gardens along with gardening classes). I have three more classes to go and see why these are so popular. </span></h3>
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Classes are given in both English and Spanish. You not only get to take part in a cooking demonstration and get the ingredients and recipe to take and duplicate at home but you learn about the amount of sugar and salt content in food, how to read ingredient labels and not be misled by the wording on packaging to tell you what's in it, tips on using fruits to add sweetness in place of sugar, swap tips with other attendees and the list goes on and on. We also get a cookbook at the final class that includes the recipes we are using.</span></h3>
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Since I posted photos of this week's class on FB, I had several requests for the recipe - so here it is. Realize you can substitute other veggies, add shrimp, chicken beef or tofu if you want. We had mushrooms in the class demo and powdered ginger where I had fresh at home. Spice it up with hot peppers. Serve it with a side salad of sliced fresh tomatoes, chopped basil with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and goat cheese, depending on what you have in your garden or in the frig. It's very simple and doesn't take much time to prepare. I didn't make the peanut sauce but will get that recipe when we finish and we get the cookbook. </span></h3>
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I was thinking I need a medium size sauce pan but r</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">emember I have a wok pan that would work very well with this recipe. Need to get it out, dust it off and put it to use. I wonder if they will teach me the art of cleaning as I cook. I like the cooking and eating but not so excited about the cleaning up after. My mom and brother know how to do that, something I haven't quite mastered or tried to master actually.</span></h3>
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Chinese Burritos</h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">(from the Brownsville Wellness Coalition cooking class)</span></h3>
4 servings / cost per serving $0.62<br />
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Ingredients</h3>
1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced<br />
1/4 head cabbage, sliced<br />
2 carrots, grated<br />
1 garlic clove, minced<br />
1/4 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated<br />
1/2 medium bell pepper, thinly sliced<br />
3 leaves Swiss chard, chopped (we substituted fresh spinach)<br />
3 tablespoons canola oil (I used less, and used grapeseed oil)<br />
4 large whole wheat flour tortillas or 8 small whole wheat tortillas<br />
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<h3>
Instructions</h3>
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.<br />
Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes.<br />
Saute the onion for 5 minutes.<br />
Add the cabbage, carrots, garlic, ginger, and bell pepper and cook for 5-10 minutes. Stir constantly to keep from burning.<br />
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Add the Swiss chard or spinach and cook for 1-2 more minutes.<br />
Remove pan from heat.<br />
Please 1/4 of the mixture on each tortilla.<br />
Roll up the tortillas.<br />
Place the tortillas on a baking sheet, seam side down.<br />
Bake for 20 minutes.<br />
Serve with peanut sauce.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5FSuPjGU_zLYoMllI3s8PKes_oIagyxX8CvhZEjfNDeeffjAY584gTk9b4RDt_HK9hrX7idMuRZI9099r6QOLIGQZMhMJWxuyzohiSgSUjGnIWgin1HVD3vUDjpJvQ8V5eoKjCYc_inVn/s1600/chinese+burritos+mixture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5FSuPjGU_zLYoMllI3s8PKes_oIagyxX8CvhZEjfNDeeffjAY584gTk9b4RDt_HK9hrX7idMuRZI9099r6QOLIGQZMhMJWxuyzohiSgSUjGnIWgin1HVD3vUDjpJvQ8V5eoKjCYc_inVn/s320/chinese+burritos+mixture.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cabbage, bell pepper, spinach, onion, garlic and mushrooms.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Kudos to everyone who makes this program happen.To learn more about upcoming classes contact brownsvillewellnesscoalition@gmail.com or 956-755-0614.</span><br />
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Brownsville Herb Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942019247397468174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811843067430347142.post-12203275441146832052015-04-03T00:20:00.001-05:002015-04-03T00:20:03.886-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGT70NyvVOY72HPESCYupFLBQ3b6hpK2LelN4nLT78fFvrGfiLvuYB7uGTOJNNz8SCD_HpF1b5yE677h5smxTL2cPq4AlLQrB6gP5KrlbIN_60ApijjLKwZw5xXBa1GimBXTpPkmmMz9ef/s1600/20150401_100700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGT70NyvVOY72HPESCYupFLBQ3b6hpK2LelN4nLT78fFvrGfiLvuYB7uGTOJNNz8SCD_HpF1b5yE677h5smxTL2cPq4AlLQrB6gP5KrlbIN_60ApijjLKwZw5xXBa1GimBXTpPkmmMz9ef/s640/20150401_100700.jpg"> </a> </div>Brownsville Herb Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942019247397468174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811843067430347142.post-80274518773026061882015-01-24T00:06:00.000-06:002015-01-24T00:06:15.467-06:00Growing Fabulous Lettuce<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Fall and early spring is the time to plant your lettuces, broccoli, cauliflower, mustard greens, kale, swiss chard, spinach, arugula and cilantro transplants</div>
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in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrcmkN2Wq8jpYZTs2bgpGASYsyl6Jc3UUrVbzFZPUhI0iQti1iayAe7bvMGTCNn2psCaKEP9SUOYdBaaJxYfIHbpYi6FI8MGg9U2ERJVcXpRNaMvLOCxfbVTW-L77-Ux3OI6NVMzadXIS/s1600/Jessica+Monique+with+lettuce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrcmkN2Wq8jpYZTs2bgpGASYsyl6Jc3UUrVbzFZPUhI0iQti1iayAe7bvMGTCNn2psCaKEP9SUOYdBaaJxYfIHbpYi6FI8MGg9U2ERJVcXpRNaMvLOCxfbVTW-L77-Ux3OI6NVMzadXIS/s1600/Jessica+Monique+with+lettuce.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">What do you think chef extraordinaire and gardener<br />Jessica Monique thinks of the flavor of her just picked<br />from the garden gourmet lettuce? I totally agree!</span></span></td></tr>
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Let Us Talk about Lettuce</h3>
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Gardening Question</h3>
My lettuce is really big - do I continue pinching the outer leaves off for salads or do I cut them back? If I cut them back will they continue to grow?<br />
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Answer</h3>
For those of you who planted your lettuces in the fall - they are really big and full now in mid January. (See Jessica's photo above.) Hopefully you have been getting lots of good salad fixings from them. (Some lettuces can be cut and will sprout leaves again but we are referring to the type you can harvest from the outside as the plant continues to grow in the middle.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizG8TEWmM4WHyK21UZvfunghfZAnM2bYO4SSFt5fjrojNfQ4P8QZUbK-QBiM9apv6616fv7LUsVAi5XPLLBXNwGdE84vbM6p4v6kkWPyGsICPxBkd0O66sq16KXp-25Bd8GEZTLKkFPMD/s1600/lettuce+growing+up+compr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizG8TEWmM4WHyK21UZvfunghfZAnM2bYO4SSFt5fjrojNfQ4P8QZUbK-QBiM9apv6616fv7LUsVAi5XPLLBXNwGdE84vbM6p4v6kkWPyGsICPxBkd0O66sq16KXp-25Bd8GEZTLKkFPMD/s1600/lettuce+growing+up+compr.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Once you see your plants are starting to grow vertically,<br />that means they are fixing to flower and go to seed.<br />The main stalk will start to thicken and stretch upward.<br />Harvest beforehand or they will become bitter tasting.</span></span></td></tr>
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Once you see your plants are starting to grow vertically, that means they are fixing to flower and go to seed. You want to harvest the whole head beforehand, otherwise they will be bitter to the taste.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1Vc5XYCuJGK1OaPWPWUdFLbYLcrUTmWS6tc1wGlJUXjjipjrQc9biylRCmfmksbEau2xeeHmlo35POxvhPI1oloIqtmNsfgOm1gog-5_3GMEMeO1uEvGL4Tvgy0UaFw3zzxu-uhxBn4N/s1600/lettuce+multi+heads+compr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1Vc5XYCuJGK1OaPWPWUdFLbYLcrUTmWS6tc1wGlJUXjjipjrQc9biylRCmfmksbEau2xeeHmlo35POxvhPI1oloIqtmNsfgOm1gog-5_3GMEMeO1uEvGL4Tvgy0UaFw3zzxu-uhxBn4N/s1600/lettuce+multi+heads+compr.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some lettuces have anywhere from two or more multiple heads<br />that make up that big beautiful head of lettuce. Some have only a single stem.</td></tr>
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When you go to cut them back, you may find there are several heads that make up that one beautiful lettuce. You can just cut one stem portion if that is all you need right now and let the others continue to grow unless they are starting to grow up and flower. If it looks like they may be starting to flower, I would cut them all and use or share. You can let them go to flower, die and they will reseed. I usually pull them out to make way for new plants. Once cut back to the ground, they won't regrow.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihA5rqH_iZgbAkxf5E9JkPAV8scy-3vCha9ZixHgN3-h4_YTu2mpkBV_C7SV3mvxe8Zp-9MlRnIvjJzJ3r_LSQwip79TB-0I57eUVJaVDZyoec2eJlQa_6BB1RAruEoLiWMWx_6Mf3yFXt/s1600/lettuce+two+section+compr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihA5rqH_iZgbAkxf5E9JkPAV8scy-3vCha9ZixHgN3-h4_YTu2mpkBV_C7SV3mvxe8Zp-9MlRnIvjJzJ3r_LSQwip79TB-0I57eUVJaVDZyoec2eJlQa_6BB1RAruEoLiWMWx_6Mf3yFXt/s1600/lettuce+two+section+compr.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This lettuce variety has two main stems below the lettuce head.</td></tr>
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tips for Growing Tasty Lettuce</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>in the Rio Grande Valley</b></span></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Lettuce grows in cooler temperatures which means the fall and spring in our area.</li>
<li>As most soil here is a heavy alkaline clay it is best to plant in raised beds either together or interspersed in your vegetable garden for good drainage or in 12" or larger containers that include holes for drainage so as not to drown the roots. </li>
<li>A good compost added to the soil will provide nutrients needed.</li>
</ul>
<ul><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBkwS9MKDA81-BEktq-Woni3C_zWIDNsuvJRJ_VTvDlk0_t3NsbdFLUPxvUdY5X4pZnUaGfoN2tRBoptg8vogOvY9t7oNACRNoYRFxIGP8tIlEUgSDnuyXgyprYBAUz0t4vl6WkKAI6Ve/s1600/lettuce+head+full+compr.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Nothing beats fresh picked lettuce for easy salad fixings.<br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<li>As lettuce has shallow roots it is best if the soil is kept moist so it will taste sweet but not so wet that it drowns and rots the roots or so dry that the roots dry out making it taste bitter.</li>
<li>A drip system can help with this or water early in the mornings to prevent foliar diseases caused by late evening watering practices. Check the dampness of the soil of the top inch of the soil with your finger to determine if you need to water or not. </li>
<li>Often my other veggie plants don't need water but my lettuce plants have started to dry out due to the wind so I will water around their base and not soak my other plants.</li>
<li>Rather than pulling up the plants to harvest, you can pinch off outer leaves or cut them straight across with a serrated knife, above the crown (where the base of the leaves meet the root) and some may grow back. See the first half of this article for more details. </li>
<li>For later season greens sow seed or plant transplants a couple inches from the original plant after the 1st harvest. Harvest the first crop before it goes to seed or once the second crop is big enough to start harvesting.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Enjoy the Bounty</h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Once harvested I use a salad spinner/colander to rinse lettuce leaves, than cover with water and a few ice cubes for several minutes, swish, drain until the water is clear then spin-dry. I wrap leaves in paper towels and place in the lettuce drawer till ready to eat. Tear them into bite size pieces. Enjoy with a fresh vinegar and oil dressing topped with fresh herbs, edible flowers and other goodies from the garden.</div>
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<br />
One of the market vendors makes homemade babaganoush (pureed roasted eggplant, garlic, tahini, lemon juice and olive oil) and says he's going to bring me some but I'm still waiting. I've read you can stuff and bake miniature eggplants with a mixture of feta cheese, pine nuts and roasted peppers which sounds very tasty.<br />
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<br /></div>
<div>
As I've said before, I like them sliced, brushed with olive oil and grilled for a few minutes on either side for a quick, easy tasty side dish.<br />
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Here's another way that has my mouth watering, just looking at 'em. Many thanks to my friend Angela Barnard for sharing what she did with hers.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BnTYKjCxvqOUBrYSdS8f48hHynTU4yB_94qkINhaojUvxLTid7UK8ttJFEfrtE4uIDcwjTzlJnWIrzjcL3LRPNM28cwZTpAbRXnbIYN6k6ObrKFf7njnvEzXeLWz40nlkhbXcDQNRqIC/s1600/angelas+eggplant+minis+compr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BnTYKjCxvqOUBrYSdS8f48hHynTU4yB_94qkINhaojUvxLTid7UK8ttJFEfrtE4uIDcwjTzlJnWIrzjcL3LRPNM28cwZTpAbRXnbIYN6k6ObrKFf7njnvEzXeLWz40nlkhbXcDQNRqIC/s1600/angelas+eggplant+minis+compr.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">Mini Eggplant Parmesan made w/garden fresh basil,<br />eggplant and homemade tomato sauce.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_DU-h5uKHjmiC0sDj8upRfoEdDhOyd0JWiinAwK6kmgTDw7iarC0-5Ij16ClJDSxMAqdIPK4lVf2uyokrty6L62lT_LwA11pLQpWK46sZ_Xg8XSYQfy4MbRPALjW826O4mrhRoYrGWxb/s1600/hors+doeuvres+anyone+angela+barnard+comp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_DU-h5uKHjmiC0sDj8upRfoEdDhOyd0JWiinAwK6kmgTDw7iarC0-5Ij16ClJDSxMAqdIPK4lVf2uyokrty6L62lT_LwA11pLQpWK46sZ_Xg8XSYQfy4MbRPALjW826O4mrhRoYrGWxb/s1600/hors+doeuvres+anyone+angela+barnard+comp.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">My friend Angela Barnard shared her photos<br />above and the </span><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;"><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/mini-eggplant-parmesan-recipe.html" target="_blank">Mini Eggplant Parmesan</a> </span><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">recipe link</span><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;"> she used to</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">make these tasty hors d'oeuvres from her "Pot Black" eggplant<br />(see plant below).</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtQhsKVGlv6QaSWhwmCHXhFPyBvDZ3hLDqP4Muz5F9G-_TqjK4BCU6LC9aNltX-hDLPMKB-2lY3pv9qzQRd5-Rwz2wZ3coWUIFlntvkF8dZZngdhvZ5pNmd3wHdDW3igS1aoWFcz2ql6h/s1600/pot+black+eggplant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtQhsKVGlv6QaSWhwmCHXhFPyBvDZ3hLDqP4Muz5F9G-_TqjK4BCU6LC9aNltX-hDLPMKB-2lY3pv9qzQRd5-Rwz2wZ3coWUIFlntvkF8dZZngdhvZ5pNmd3wHdDW3igS1aoWFcz2ql6h/s1600/pot+black+eggplant.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium;">
<b>Eggplant “Pot Black”</b></div>
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A compact variety for container</div>
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growing that produces many</div>
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2-3 oz. glossy oval black</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium;">
fruits over a long growing</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium;">
season. Attractive plants and</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium;">
tasty fruit. Sun.</div>
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I am so excited about these compact varieties as they make such a pretty container plant and make great gifts. When Angela's husband came looking for a birthday surprise for her last year, I suggested this plant, as it was the first time I had brought it to the market so I knew she hadn't seen it before. As a fellow Master Gardener, we are always looking for the new and unusual, at least to us and I knew she would appreciate this one.<br />
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<br /></div>
<div>
Another great new container variety that is really producing as you can see here is the "Patio Baby". I plan on potting a couple or one of each of these two to put in the entryway of our front porch as my new fall decorating scheme. Another good reason for us to sit outside and enjoy our front porch.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCX66GmudRaiE0yp8n3uD9641XSwxSeFNiGsT0HhqmMZ7nhcWbN8uDQQdvYcOKABkyuzyVSROBocJm4VCkHzvhYZ_DJle5T3n5imSJGWvGlCms6jhSWWPaxfPopX-6BY_Iva0zoxrQEeDo/s1600/patio+baby+eggplant+compr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCX66GmudRaiE0yp8n3uD9641XSwxSeFNiGsT0HhqmMZ7nhcWbN8uDQQdvYcOKABkyuzyVSROBocJm4VCkHzvhYZ_DJle5T3n5imSJGWvGlCms6jhSWWPaxfPopX-6BY_Iva0zoxrQEeDo/s1600/patio+baby+eggplant+compr.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: center;">
<b>Eggplant “Patio Baby”</b></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; text-align: center;">
A 2014 AAS Winner. An eggplant</div>
<div style="font-size: medium; text-align: center;">
variety that is great for pots & container</div>
<div style="font-size: medium; text-align: center;">
growing. Plants produce lavender</div>
<div style="font-size: medium; text-align: center;">
blooms and a big crop of shiny black</div>
<div style="font-size: medium; text-align: center;">
small fruits that is bitter free.</div>
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<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">I just love how eggplants come in all sizes and shapes.<br />Here's another new variety for us that I think I failed to mention, in my last blog on eggplants.</span></h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJ2AxvPtKJWTbr1Y6e_H5BfWAj9OdROSMej-sfNaIp2EbbHZkSZj7X51AQONlYo7FR6tZCyE3YKoPCR2YYDQx8qrQe9zIpSm5RZs6VLR7lPpkt2AzdEg8yAq5g-hVxLjAgLPWQP3CpRDo/s1600/shooting+stars+eggplant+compr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJ2AxvPtKJWTbr1Y6e_H5BfWAj9OdROSMej-sfNaIp2EbbHZkSZj7X51AQONlYo7FR6tZCyE3YKoPCR2YYDQx8qrQe9zIpSm5RZs6VLR7lPpkt2AzdEg8yAq5g-hVxLjAgLPWQP3CpRDo/s1600/shooting+stars+eggplant+compr.jpg" height="304" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: center;">
<b>Eggplant “Shooting Stars”</b></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; text-align: center;">
A showy variety with small (4") oval white</div>
<div style="font-size: medium; text-align: center;">
fleshed fruits that are vivid purple</div>
<div style="font-size: medium; text-align: center;">
with white stripes. Good in the garden</div>
<div style="font-size: medium; text-align: center;">
or pots. Height 30"x20" wide. Sun.</div>
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Maybe the trick to get more people to consider trying eggplant is to call it an Aubergine - that's the British English name for it. Try a search using aubergine recipes and you'll have lots to choose from.<br />
(Plant photos by Debbie Cox) </div>
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Brownsville Herb Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942019247397468174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811843067430347142.post-74107013108495694272014-10-31T23:49:00.000-05:002014-10-31T23:49:49.135-05:00Eggplant/Berenjena <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHusRDxJUGm-vc9_5zyanu_iLnOExvJmthSBYMn-qlzmsq7yDBvK1nSlZltvHBc6cBQdRpY2a8zRbQ5TIl_n9LrRIWIbDvLxl-J_Gmy3DpG54UcHal-Xlg3JRkqdwFGhWyq60w1l060Ozk/s1600/pot+black+eggplant+compr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHusRDxJUGm-vc9_5zyanu_iLnOExvJmthSBYMn-qlzmsq7yDBvK1nSlZltvHBc6cBQdRpY2a8zRbQ5TIl_n9LrRIWIbDvLxl-J_Gmy3DpG54UcHal-Xlg3JRkqdwFGhWyq60w1l060Ozk/s1600/pot+black+eggplant+compr.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: center;">
<b><i>Eggplant “Pot Black”</i></b></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; text-align: center;">
<i>is a compact variety for container growing producing</i></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; text-align: center;">
<i>many 2-3 </i><i>oz. glossy oval black fruits over a long </i><i>growing</i></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; text-align: center;">
<i>season. </i><i>Attractive plants & tasty fruit. Sun.</i></div>
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While the eggplant is considered a minor crop in the US, in the Orient it is more popular than either the tomato or potato according to Dr. Sam Cotner, author of <i>“The Vegetable Book, A Texan’s guide to Gardening”</i> (p. 141). We've found eggplants very easy to grow in our area. I have customers who have had their eggplants growing for several years at a time.<br />
<br />
There are a lot of tasty ways you can prepare them. I like to slice the larger ones in ¼ to ½ inch slices and brush them with olive oil and grill them for an easy tasty treat. The long slender varieties are just the right bite-size when fried using a batter recipe.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Basic Gardening Tips for any Planting</h3>
Eggplants, like other plants here, grow best in raised beds. Raised beds provide good drainage. They also grow well in large container pots. We planted each variety in a large pot (5 gallon size or larger) on our patio one year just to see how well each grew and tasted.<br />
<br />
Scattering a couple inches of compost in your bed and incorporating into your soil beforehand not only improves plant growth but it will also improve moisture retention in the soil.<br />
<br />
We like to use smaller tomato cages and fit them over the transplant when first planted to keep the plant upright when it’s loaded with fruit.<br />
<br />
I pick any yellowed leaves from plants and throw these away along with any dead leaves that drop from plants.<br />
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<h3>
Watering </h3>
Water deep and frequently in dry or hot weather. But first check - If the first couple inches of soil are dry, than water. In containers, water till the water runs out the hole in the bottom of the container, wait a few minutes and water deeply again. Add fertilizer several times during the growing season. Mulching around plants also helps retain moisture and adds nutrients to the soil as the compost breaks down.<br />
<br />
I’ve found watering my garden early in the morning rather than late in the day has prevented a lot of foliage diseases and I have less bad bugs because of it.<br />
<h3>
Insects</h3>
“Pinholes in leaves from flea beetles are of no concern,” according to Dr. Bob Randall, author of <i>Year Round Vegetables, Fruits and Flowers for Metro Houston.</i> When watering early in the morning I’ll find pill bugs or roly polys eating on leaves and will flick them off with my finger. When watering, I’ll spray water on the underside of leaves to discourage spider mites and aphids.<br />
<h3>
Harvesting</h3>
How do you when your eggplants are ready to pick? Some people think you have to wait till they grow really big but that’s not the case. You can pick them small or large as long as their skin is still shiny or glossy. When their skin becomes dull, their color starts to fade or they turn yellow, that’s a sign they are getting over ripe and bitter and should be harvested before then. If you leave overripe fruit on the plant it will slow production down. One plant will produce a huge number if you keep them picked.<br />
<br />
When ready to harvest, use a knife or pruning shears to cut the stem right above the eggplant. Wear gloves when harvesting as some eggplants have a prickly stem end.<br />
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There are two varieties new to me I'm trying this year - Epic and Pot Black. All the rest are varieties we've had great success with:<br />
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“<b>Black Beauty” –</b> Classic big-fruited black eggplant. Large fruits are glossy, well shaped, and perfect for thick slices, just right for grilling, pan frying or eggplant parmesan. (This is the one you see in the store.)<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>“Clara” </b>(F1) - Unique, large, white Italian-type eggplant. Green calyx. High-yielding & early bearing. Fruits 6-7" long x 4-5" wide. Full Sun.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>“Dancer”</b> (F1) Bright neon purple fruits w/green calyx. Plants are strong & high-yielding. Fruit is mid-sized, semi-cylindrical, mild tasting & non-bitter flavor.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Eggplant Epic</b> F1 - Premium quality oval eggplant variety. Fruits are glossy purple-black and average 9" long x 3 1/2" wide. Strong, vigorous, upright plants to 3 feet tall. Sun.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>“Fengyuan Purple” </b>- Very long & slender Asian eggplant with fruit 12-18" long. Non-peel thin-skinned beautiful purple fruits. Creamy-white mild flesh w/no bitterness - great for grilling or stir fry.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>"Pingtung Long"</b> (Chinese type) - Slender violet-purple heirloom fruit 12-18" long w/excellent mild flavor & tender white flesh. Thrives in heat & humidity w/continuous large harvests. Sun & good soil best.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Eggplant “Pot Black”</b><br />
Compact variety for container growing. Produces many 2-3 oz. glossy oval black fruits over a long growing season. Attractive plants & tasty fruit. Sun.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Thai Green "Kermit"</b> - Traditional Thai type eggplant. Small, ball-shaped fruit about 2" across - green marbled with white stripes. Productive. Used in Asian dishes, shish-kebab and grilling. Sun. Good Soil.<br />
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Eggplants are low cal, satisfying and are a great source of Vitamin C, potassium, calcium, fiber, manganese, B vitamins and many antioxidants. They certainly thrive in our weather conditions.<br />
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Feel free to share your experiences, photos and recipes.<br />
Debbie Cox<br />
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Brownsville Herb Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942019247397468174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811843067430347142.post-7476619334181057912014-10-03T11:42:00.002-05:002014-10-03T11:42:17.254-05:00Your Local Gardening Programs<h2>
FALL is for Gardening 2014 and Spring 2015</h2>
Do you want to learn more about gardening? I get a lot of questions about gardening that I wish I could answer more in-depth at the farmers market. <br /><br />Don't wait - check these out.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQSuHdToql9feFmG6-JdkAwBdfN98tXKeBwZXcTYnXe22NRDd-QuOLKl_R2v-Im7qSFKrQlxWMVXvw8x7_OU0-NXbfKdrX1KI0mP3B9DTOcu8ZCJQNUPc6Q456zX9i4PRdT8gjHFF4qdA/s1600/community+garden+veggies+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQSuHdToql9feFmG6-JdkAwBdfN98tXKeBwZXcTYnXe22NRDd-QuOLKl_R2v-Im7qSFKrQlxWMVXvw8x7_OU0-NXbfKdrX1KI0mP3B9DTOcu8ZCJQNUPc6Q456zX9i4PRdT8gjHFF4qdA/s1600/community+garden+veggies+cropped.jpg" height="277" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Veggie transplants for fall garden planting.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/brownsvillewccommunitygardens" target="_blank">Brownsville Wellness Coalition</a> - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/brownsvillewccommunitygardens" target="_blank">Free Gardening Classes</a></h3>
Open to the public.<br />
No experience necessary.<br />
Held every first and 3rd Thursday of the month, 6:00 pm at the Parks and Recreation Center on 8th Street & Tyler St., Brownsville, TX<br />
Find out more about the Brownsville Community Gardens.<br />
Contact Elizabeth Garcia 956.459.3205.<br />
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<a href="http://cameron.agrilife.org/" target="_blank">Texas AgriLife Extension Service Events</a><br />Call 956.361.8236 for programs below</h3>
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2015 <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cameron-County-Master-Gardeners/194463870587764" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Master Gardener Program</a></h3>
(I highly recommend - have been a TMG since 96)<br />
Sign up NOW to get on the contact list to be considered.<br />
Fee and so many hrs. of training in exchange for volunteer hrs.<br />
in the community earns you the title of "Texas Master Gardener."<br />
Orientation starts the last week of January.<br />
956.361.8236<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/194463870587764/photos/pcb.838076566226488/838076539559824/?type=1&theater" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">FREE Vegetable Gardening Educational Program</a></h3>
Growing and Nourishing Healthy Communities Cameron County<br />
All classes begin at 6 pm throughout Cameron County<br />
from October 13 - November 13, 2014<br />
Contact Scott Kunkle at 956.361.8236 for schedule.<br />
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<h3>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1472447046376561/?context=create&previousaction=create&ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming&source=49&sid_create=69449228" target="_blank">An Introduction to Aquaponics:The Production of both Fish andVegetables in a Soil-less Environment</a></h3>
Friday, November 7, 2014<br />
956.361.8236<br />
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<h3>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/363558313808876/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Food Safety for the Small Acreage Producer/Webinar</a><span id="goog_1608795350"></span><span id="goog_1608795351"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a></h3>
Thursday, October 16, 2014, 9 am – Noon<br />
956.361.8236<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/grow.n.growers/photos/a.306100886115287.73987.101642813227763/770819342976770/?type=1&theater" target="_blank">Fall Garden Festival and Free Gardening Workshops</a></h3>
North San Juan Park on Saturday, October 18, 2014, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.<br />
Free workshops for families, plant sale. Topics include a hands-on presentation on Plant Propagation, How to Make a Square Foot Garden, Composting, Preventing Citrus Greening Disease, Rainwater Harvesting demo and Fall Vegetable Gardening.<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=871043859573227&set=pcb.703508133067535&type=1&theater" target="_blank">Permaculture Design Certification</a> - FREE</h3>
Begins October so sign up now.<br />
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<i>If you know of more, please let me know so I can pass them along!</i>Brownsville Herb Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942019247397468174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811843067430347142.post-39149634670760091692014-08-28T00:49:00.001-05:002014-08-28T00:49:40.567-05:00Basil Harvest - Goodies to Share<div dir="ltr">
With an abundance of fresh basil, I recently made basil salt several different ways along with fresh pesto using the tiny tasty leaves of Pistou basil. In place of pine nuts I used salt and pepper flavored pistachios I had on hand I bought from Yvonne and Fidel at the farmers market. After several requests to share the recipes - I decided to post here - follow the links below.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAF-YOLXJ9rXEN6dtWVPFvXOMB_F0xHX9n5SkH-tYFhD-0AAiuHt8felH91cHuD0LFiwQfd9ouHhSjvVxSZdwXC6ajN8V5j3M5-AeM9e54asORJdazDYXK4Kv-5yUF_Lx3eiWb-kizlL7c/s640/20140825_233727.jpg" height="225" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"> Valentino basil has such lovely large leaves and wonderful flavor.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: small;">I still have a gigantic bowl of Red Ruben basil to use up.</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">Hmm... what's next, any suggestions?</span></span></td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://m.hometalk.com/#!/4217347/gardening-basil-salt-preserving" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Enjoy Your Bumper Crop of Basil Year Round </a></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://m.hometalk.com/#!/4217347/gardening-basil-salt-preserving" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">with Fresh Basil Salt</a></h3>
I made four batches of fresh basil salt following Hometalks' easy instructions link above. Using kosher certified Mediterranean coarse sea salt for three batches and one batch using pink Himalayan salt, I learned to tell what it looks like when its dry enough to be done. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4dLtJcWb7JTuFj58J-bYK8qdQgoPfuIEbzwA0huRyOAV1MQFV3-yAuK16NK_YgjcDCe6AQsPk5ktd3gyKbF5GygMf1MwpUZF_dMqOSZCnBGY4XhLgpQXmixmXK0ia9eXjkiL4vwLEgVW-/s1600/basil+salt+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4dLtJcWb7JTuFj58J-bYK8qdQgoPfuIEbzwA0huRyOAV1MQFV3-yAuK16NK_YgjcDCe6AQsPk5ktd3gyKbF5GygMf1MwpUZF_dMqOSZCnBGY4XhLgpQXmixmXK0ia9eXjkiL4vwLEgVW-/s1600/basil+salt+small.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">I have to say my favorite tasting is the Himalayan batch.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEGpUgh3KfeNKE5tzB0ncMyc-h-Vhv-shevQWyqNwAZUohmZNbX2fMJC7t6OaAizpehtP6YfI8JmRWJyVhaQZ1U4wYkRsB8z4u_ww5UN681BejpjoXpEzJa0TB1aTloOytOYA1hxM_fm8/s1600/basil+salt+drying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEGpUgh3KfeNKE5tzB0ncMyc-h-Vhv-shevQWyqNwAZUohmZNbX2fMJC7t6OaAizpehtP6YfI8JmRWJyVhaQZ1U4wYkRsB8z4u_ww5UN681BejpjoXpEzJa0TB1aTloOytOYA1hxM_fm8/s1600/basil+salt+drying.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not quite dry yet.<br />
Photos by Debbie Cox</td></tr>
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I use a salt grinder daily so had containers on hand of the sea salt. I put one batch back into the processor after it dried to grind it up further but left the other batches coarse. What great gifts for myself, oh and others. Hometalk also provided a dip and dish to utilize the fresh sea salt and more fresh basil below - looks yummy!<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.hometalk.com/4322043/garden-ideas-harvest-tomato-basil" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bountiful Tomato and Basil Harvest / </a></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.hometalk.com/4322043/garden-ideas-harvest-tomato-basil" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Caprese Crostini Skewers</a></h3>
Thanks to several of my herb friends, Mary Nell, for turning me onto the above and Dorothy Earley for the mixed herb pesto recipe below she so generously shared. Enjoy!</div>
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<b>Dorothy Earley's<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Mixed Herb Pesto</b></div>
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<ul>
<li>1 cup basil</li>
<li>½ cup oregano</li>
<li>½ cup mint</li>
<li>½ cup pine nuts</li>
<li>½ cup olive oil</li>
<li>2 cloves garlic, crushed</li>
<li>2 t lemon juice</li>
<li>½ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated</li>
<li>1 t salt</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Place basil, oregano, mint, pine nuts, olive oil, garlic and
lemon juice in a blender or food processor and run it on high until all
ingredients are finely pureed. Remove
from blender or food processor and add Parmesan cheese and salt. Mix well. Serve with pasta.</div>
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I believe the real secret to great pesto, is not just fresh
sweet basil, but a really fine Parmesan cheese. Grate it yourself just before you need it. And it doesn't hurt if you use the best olive
oil you can find either.</div>
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Brownsville Herb Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942019247397468174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811843067430347142.post-54462380315095707312014-02-14T15:17:00.001-06:002014-02-14T15:20:29.965-06:00For the Birds<p dir="ltr">Check out this nice looking shrub! The birds love the berries and it looks great in the landscape used as a shrub or a tree. It can take sun or shade. You can find these at Palm Gardens in Brownsville from Morris Clint. </p>
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Where? with Morris Clint at Palm Gardens, Brownsville</div>
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Cardboard plants in bloom!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodUQ8JRRtgkOYsmA9fJyMoQRa3y526HuM9xmNR2YdZWzD-fEWfCN9-dB6GasMcM5Wen8aqtWCSgY0QJczRsYT04RKxSgp_SyBuSwvcsKP_idDoO0i2PuAvYNQYcJVmKGydYREQNsKafYj/s1600/cardboard+flower+compr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodUQ8JRRtgkOYsmA9fJyMoQRa3y526HuM9xmNR2YdZWzD-fEWfCN9-dB6GasMcM5Wen8aqtWCSgY0QJczRsYT04RKxSgp_SyBuSwvcsKP_idDoO0i2PuAvYNQYcJVmKGydYREQNsKafYj/s1600/cardboard+flower+compr.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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Very different looking flower.<br />
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Brownsville Herb Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942019247397468174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811843067430347142.post-47270305140159984342014-01-10T22:29:00.001-06:002014-01-10T22:29:50.716-06:00New Year, New Challenge<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">It's that time of year to register for the <b><i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/bblchallenge" target="_blank">2014 Brownsville Challenge</a></i></b>. W</span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">eigh-in is Saturday,</span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> January 11 from 9 am to noon at Linear Park, next to the Farmers Market off 6th & Harrison St.</span><br style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><strong style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">My Story</span></strong><br style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">I signed up to take </span><em style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><strong>"The Challenge"</strong></em><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> three years in a row – 3rd year, the past year, was a charm as that was the first year I actually worked the program and took advantage of the free events which included the SG Boot Camp with Sal Garza. It wasn't until I </span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">attended Sal's Camp that I</span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> realized how negative I subconsciously speak </span></span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">to myself.</span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> </span></span><div>
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><b>Yes, it turns out I was my own worst enemy.</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">I recall proudly bragging about being such a great procrastinator - go figure.</span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">I didn't want to change my thinking as that would mean I needed to </span><u style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">make up my mind</u><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> to do something after my</span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> years of procrastinating</span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">. </span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> (Yes, it turns out I was my own worst enemy.) </span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Once I overcame the I can't/won't, I'm not ready to give up eating what I like, eating mindlessly, whatever, whenever I want, you're not the boss of me to myself, no less, </span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">procrastinating thinking ... and started thinking ... Yes, I can/will and want to ...</span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> the rest was super easy. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">I kept a log of what I ate normally for several weeks and soon became aware of where </span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">all the calories I was consuming came from (lots of high calorie sweets)</span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">, </span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">which helped me change my eating habits.If I indulge I eat less of something later in the day to balance it out. A good example of a change for me was Instead of eating the WHOLE can of mixed nuts in one sitting, I eat a handful and stop.</span></span><div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><b>Long Story Short</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">I went from a size 16 to a size 10 – I lost and have kept o</span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">ff 25 pounds this past year and haven't missed it a bit ~</span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> thanks to taking advantage of this program.</span><br style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">This year my goal is to </span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">prepare and eat healthier home cooked meals with assorted seasonal fresh vegetables and fruit from my garden and the Far</span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">mers Market</span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">. I also want to get back to doing a physical activity I enjoy several times a week (yoga, walking the dogs, aquatics or something new). It's not enough just to reduce calorie intake - I need to burn calories too, in order to make any progress. That's a fact.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Recent circumstances have made it even more apparent to me how important what we eat may affect our health and what food I bring home/prepare or serve my family can impact my families health. I have to say I have taken a lot of what I eat for granted. I am already craving more fresh veggies and fruits - and I look forward to changing old habits for better ones. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><b>TIP</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">I just found a good tip through Facebook I plan on putting into practice - <a href="http://thethriftycouple.com/2011/09/05/daily-dose-of-thrify-dinner-by-10/" target="_blank">Dinner by 10 - Tip to Save $ and Eat Healthier</a> from the Thrifty Couple website.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><br style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><b>"The Challenge"</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">I encourage everyone to take "The Challenge" in Brownsville starting this Saturday, January 11. </span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">W</span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">eigh-in is </span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">from 9 am to noon at Linear Park, next to the Farmers Market off 6th & Harrison St. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/bblchallenge" target="_blank">Further Details</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">As a Challenge participant you receive a pass that gets you into all of the sponsored events January through March (such as aquatic workouts, boot camp, yoga, cooking classes and more) for FREE. Many of the events are also open to family and friends. Click on Further Detail heading for more info.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><br style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Everyone who finishes The Challenge has a chance at winning $$ as they compete against each other and themselves. For every 5% of weight an individual loses they will receive a $5 gift card. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><b>Register</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Remember you must register for The Challenge and attend a final weigh in, either Friday, April 4 or Saturday, April 5 to win any prize (including gift card). </span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">This is in addition to the first and second place prizes in each category. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Create a team, bring your family, friends, and coworkers, and join THE CHALLENGE!!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><b>To Your Health!</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>PS Don't wait for events such as these or for that certain friend to join you, otherwise you might never "do" something for yourself. You are the only one you are in competition with - you get what you put into anything - how much are you willing to invest? It's just YOUR health.</i></span><br />
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Brownsville Herb Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942019247397468174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811843067430347142.post-90100773290851811372013-11-29T09:04:00.000-06:002013-11-29T09:04:57.393-06:00For the Birds - Not<h4>
<span style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">Have you tried Netting?</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">You may not be able to see the fine black netting covering this tomato plant (some of it is bunched up on the left hand side) but I went ahead and draped this over a couple of the tomato cages as tomatoes are ripening and the birds started pecking them. Not what I enjoy finding in the garden early in the morning.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeCGUaGquqZg_L0pmsfVnR8msWNioXoGe_mRYEpVzpqRVGLtnpJ_EJaotbuDeJWnHVZppXtCh1joQpaw9w9FyWE4HIiWHsgZUEtpkPN8qKa6gNKKemRbhO5x3zODoUa_lPc5dq97Rwgld/s1600/netting+over+tomato+plant+Nov+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeCGUaGquqZg_L0pmsfVnR8msWNioXoGe_mRYEpVzpqRVGLtnpJ_EJaotbuDeJWnHVZppXtCh1joQpaw9w9FyWE4HIiWHsgZUEtpkPN8qKa6gNKKemRbhO5x3zODoUa_lPc5dq97Rwgld/s640/netting+over+tomato+plant+Nov+2014.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Net covering tomato plant to deter birds.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;">I got a roll of this netting from Tractor supply. It's kind of a hassle to use as it catches on everything but it does work and is reusable. I pulled it out some so it wasn't touching the tomatoes as they can still peck them if it's right on top of them. You have to make sure and get it pinned down all around the bottom of the plant so the birds can't reach it from the ground - birds are very resourceful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;">The birds have also found the chicken feeder! We've had it up for almost two years (refilling it every morning for all of the chickens) and the birds never bothered it until recently. Guess they "Tweeted" all of their friends to come over for all you can eat dining. I finally put a cover over the middle of the feeder which seems to have cut down on the "free for all"</span><span style="font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">.</span></div>
Brownsville Herb Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942019247397468174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811843067430347142.post-57046285804009551022013-11-29T08:48:00.001-06:002013-11-29T08:48:39.881-06:00Grafted Tomatoes<div class="userContentWrapper aboveUnitContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px;">
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<span class="userContent"><b>To graft or not to graft - that is the question.</b></span></h2>
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<span class="userContent">Below is a tag for the Cherokee Purple tomato which is grafted onto "SuperNatural" rootstock. </span>Have to keep any suckers that grow below the graft removed. The plant we purchased didn't have much of a root system to start with so has had a slow start. It is finally starting to grow some. You are supposed to keep the graft well above soil level.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgni89RzaJVfhVCZVsKu1-RCaRHYi6FixQJn6ICuq9xC0EiagYLyb6xtDOvK4iqsFGMdJpNFu5AACKx5JPMUsbKoYzQhQ_ynBVxbCJwFL7qzl9h8_Js0YEAXeQ47WxmCQW_Ek3_dlRQZIwo/s1600/grafted+tomato+tag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgni89RzaJVfhVCZVsKu1-RCaRHYi6FixQJn6ICuq9xC0EiagYLyb6xtDOvK4iqsFGMdJpNFu5AACKx5JPMUsbKoYzQhQ_ynBVxbCJwFL7qzl9h8_Js0YEAXeQ47WxmCQW_Ek3_dlRQZIwo/s400/grafted+tomato+tag.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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One gardener told me they planted two tomatoes of equal size, one being a</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
regular tomato and the other being a grafted one but so far hasn't been able</div>
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to tell much difference. Anyone else tried these? How did they do for you?</div>
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It's always fun to try something new!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHqY-dp015UcRhzPzT2v9AOZYRHVSZD0U8kX7YitHnVJBchtCii3KLhD6Lp980o1LLh2gBWYsp8nsTFIGWEI1z8WmYNgvM7ZBZaVotk8iMV53pn7sqV2QSLwDvk9My9vf0ONt_1pnVRWv/s1600/grafted+tomato+progress+nov+27+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHqY-dp015UcRhzPzT2v9AOZYRHVSZD0U8kX7YitHnVJBchtCii3KLhD6Lp980o1LLh2gBWYsp8nsTFIGWEI1z8WmYNgvM7ZBZaVotk8iMV53pn7sqV2QSLwDvk9My9vf0ONt_1pnVRWv/s640/grafted+tomato+progress+nov+27+2013.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is our grafted tomato - looking very healthy<br />but still no blooms as of 11-27-13.</td></tr>
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We bought this one at the Texas Master Gardener conference in October.</div>
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This is my first experience growing one and can't wait to see how it does.</div>
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Brownsville Herb Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942019247397468174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811843067430347142.post-76451608558572156602013-11-26T19:07:00.001-06:002013-11-26T19:07:25.891-06:00Bean Update<p>Picking beans today. The hens have managed to reach some of the broccoli leaves.</p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUd00on_bq0zt6bDQxOEMJK9MpO1MRq6kkCHDuPoXJVqpDETHRxxAuNf_skj87Gcoo4DkDQwN4Bmf2rev1ULrHzNUyRty2jM7XdrmUHq91U7MqFsS1iNlzb-H73hNXMaZHVCgeaV2mf9d/s1600/2013-11-26_08-18-21_348.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUd00on_bq0zt6bDQxOEMJK9MpO1MRq6kkCHDuPoXJVqpDETHRxxAuNf_skj87Gcoo4DkDQwN4Bmf2rev1ULrHzNUyRty2jM7XdrmUHq91U7MqFsS1iNlzb-H73hNXMaZHVCgeaV2mf9d/s640/2013-11-26_08-18-21_348.jpg' /> </a> </div>Brownsville Herb Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942019247397468174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811843067430347142.post-67035096413797004812013-10-20T23:42:00.000-05:002013-10-20T23:42:10.029-05:00First Ripe Tomatoes of our Fall Garden - Whoo-Hoo!<span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Our Felicity tomato plant is doing great - I have a couple other different tomato plants with green tomatoes on and some with flowers only. </span><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">We'll be planting a grafted tomato plant we got at the Master Gardeners Conference trade show. I've heard of them but this will be the first I've tried.</span><div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWk2s4XBX-GvwUCFiE0oplrrBUQOKkOMxXdfY3wcC0b5yFp3x9VGQHKDwrlHzEU9V25fPg9RvB5USadk7GhAR_x9l1tk3MKjab0W_9EGxKF7Wbg8fRUlOZUriXxTnlyCgn2D-7oIEsRiw/s400/2013-10-20_10-20-40_249.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's recommended to NOT refrigerate fresh picked tomatoes<br />
as it reduces their flavor and changes their texture.<br />
These may not even make it to the house.</td></tr>
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Brownsville Herb Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942019247397468174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811843067430347142.post-84979680898724238942013-07-26T20:58:00.000-05:002013-07-26T20:58:20.395-05:00Are You Addicted to Gardening?<h3>
<em><span style="color: #38761d;">Yeh, I recognize a few of these...most of these...all of these...Ok, all of them except maybe one or two...</span></em></h3>
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<h3>
You Know You’re Addicted to Gardening When…</h3>
<ul>
<li>Your neighbors recognize you in your pajamas, rubber clogs and a cup of coffee.</li>
<li>You grab other people’s banana peels, coffee grinds, apple cores, etc. for your compost pile. </li>
<li>You have to wash your hair to get your fingernails clean.</li>
<li>When you randomly pull weeds wherever you go.</li>
<li>All your neighbors come and ask you questions.</li>
<li>When you creep around the garden on damp evenings with a torch and collect the snails and take them to safe place very far away from the garden.</li>
<li>You know the temperature of your compost every day.</li>
<li>You buy a bigger truck so that you can haul more mulch.</li>
<li>You enjoy crushing Japanese beetles because you like the sound that it makes.</li>
<li>Your boss makes “taking care of the office plants” an official part of your job description.</li>
<li>Everything you touch turns to “fertilizer”.</li>
<li>You weed in the rain.</li>
<li>You find yourself "deadheading" at Home Depot and Lowe's.</li>
<li>Your non-gardening spouse becomes conversant in botanical names.</li>
<li>You find yourself feeling leaves, flowers and trunks of trees wherever you go, even at funerals.</li>
<li>Every time you trim a bush, you HAVE to use the cuttings to start new plants.</li>
<li>You dumpster-dive for discarded bulbs after commercial landscapers remove them to plant annuals. </li>
</ul>
<h3>
You Know You’re Addicted to Gardening When…</h3>
<ul>
<li>You put gardening pictures on your screen saver.</li>
<li>You plan vacation trips around the locations of botanical gardens, arboreta, historic gardens, etc.</li>
<li>You plant & transplant at night with flashlights & a porch light.</li>
<li>You sneak home a 7-foot Japanese Maple and wonder if your spouse will notice.</li>
<li>You notice good dirt when driving around town.</li>
<li>When considering your budget, plants are more important than groceries.</li>
<li>You always carry a shovel, bottled water and a plastic bag in your trunk as emergency tools.</li>
<li>You scan CraigsList under Farm/Garden to find new friends.</li>
<li>You count earthworms and red worms among your inner circle of friends.</li>
<li>You appreciate your Master Gardener badge more than your jewelry.</li>
<li>You talk “dirt” at baseball practice.</li>
<li>You know what guerilla gardening is and how to make seed bombs.</li>
<li>You spend more time chopping your kitchen greens for the compost pile than for cooking.</li>
<li>You bring home rocks from vacations to put them in your garden.</li>
<li>You like the smell of horse manure better than Estee Lauder.</li>
<li>You rejoice in rain…even after 10 straight days of it.</li>
<li>You have pride in how bad your hands look.</li>
<li>Your “easy” chair is a lawn chair perched in the shade with a good view of the garden.</li>
<li>You have a decorative compost container on your kitchen counter. </li>
</ul>
<h3>
You Know You’re Addicted to Gardening When…</h3>
<ul>
<li>You can give away plants easily, but compost is another thing.</li>
<li>Soil test results actually mean something.</li>
<li>You understand what IPM means and are happy about it.</li>
<li>You’d rather go to a nursery to shop than a clothes store.</li>
<li>You know that Sevin is not a number.</li>
<li>You take every single person who enters your house on a “garden tour”.</li>
<li>You look at your child’s sandbox and see a raised bed.</li>
<li>You ask for tools for Christmas, Mother/Father’s day, your Birthday and any other occasion you can think of.</li>
<li>You go to the back door of the natural foods store and haul away big boxes of veggie scraps to make compost piles.</li>
<li>You can’t bear to thin seedlings and throw them away.</li>
<li>You scold total strangers who don’t take care of their potted plants.</li>
<li>You know how many bags of fertilizer/potting soil,/mulch your car will hold.</li>
<li>You drive around the neighborhood hoping to score extra bags of leaves for your compost pile.</li>
<li>Customers at the garden centers ask YOU for advice and not the nice ladies with clean hands and wearing aprons with the company name on them.</li>
<li>Your preferred reading matter is seed catalogs. </li>
</ul>
<em>And last but not least: </em><br />
<h3>
You know that the four seasons are:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Planning the Garden</li>
<li>Preparing the Garden</li>
<li>Gardening~and~</li>
<li>Preparing and Planning for the next Garden.</li>
</ul>
Brownsville Herb Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942019247397468174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811843067430347142.post-74501309260712906272013-02-22T20:51:00.000-06:002013-02-22T21:08:56.660-06:00Edible FlowersThis time of year is one of my favorites, when edible flowers like nasturtiums, johnny jump ups and calendula are all in bloom. Thanks to encouragement and stupendous tremendous help from my garden bud partner Colleen, and sidekick Cheryl, we served up a first class edible flower program with tastings that were a big hit.<br />
<br />
Our menu consisted of:<br />
<ul>
<li>Secret Garden Rosemary Tea (recipe included in past blog)</li>
<li>Sage Cheese Log slices</li>
<li>Calendula petals sprinkled over Mexican Mint Marigold butter from Lucinda Hutson's book</li>
<li>Alice's homemade crackers and heart shaped breads, </li>
<li>Fennel flavored Black Olives</li>
<li>Fresh cut Garden Tomatoes with sprinkled with Basil, Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar</li>
<li>Chicken Salad with Grapes, Valencia Orange slices, Pecans (pecans supplied by Valley Pecans, new vendor at the Brownsville Farmers Market by the way) and Nasturtium flowers on a bed of fresh garden gourmet lettuce leaves sprinkled with olive oil and fig balsamic vinegar</li>
<li>Deviled Eggs that included herb sprigs of Johnny Jump Ups, Parsley, Violas, Chives, Thyme, Chervil</li>
<li>Purple, Cheddar Cauliflower, Romanesco, Broccoli (which are vegetables of immature flower heads) with Spicy Cilantro Dip</li>
<li>and Dark Chocolate Brownies with Johnny Jump Up Flowers and Pistachio Lime Basil Cookies</li>
</ul>
Thanks to Marylyn for the Sunnyside Garden Gallery setting showcasing talented Brownsville Art League members surrounded by gardens full of birds, butterflies and Alice of Alice's Kitchen for her home made crackers, heart shaped bread and pistachio cookies, Don for the wonderful edible flowering plants, Valley Nuts for the Pecans - all of which are available for sale every Saturday at the Brownsville Farmers Market, TX on Saturday's 9am to noon at 6th and Harrison.Brownsville Herb Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942019247397468174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811843067430347142.post-13800777444195906812013-02-22T20:49:00.000-06:002013-02-22T21:08:18.365-06:00Budding Tastes <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAT-X5rJ5T2_nNyI2N2JUPU9xibOXclf3WmTd5nd-tFxD2Sgda7YcaylOw0zQfyqlLvjh_lz3Tk_xwkhZ6V6vuJUg5sEpPnUK6r2gQFg74wt_sDXWtvTPcPlF5ihIjs5wXfASEb3ZOkVG/s1600/Edible+Flowers+Bro+Herald+2-17-13+complete_Page_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAT-X5rJ5T2_nNyI2N2JUPU9xibOXclf3WmTd5nd-tFxD2Sgda7YcaylOw0zQfyqlLvjh_lz3Tk_xwkhZ6V6vuJUg5sEpPnUK6r2gQFg74wt_sDXWtvTPcPlF5ihIjs5wXfASEb3ZOkVG/s640/Edible+Flowers+Bro+Herald+2-17-13+complete_Page_1.jpg" width="240" /></a> </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaShqBEeyUv0FPTa5qT5nN8pir5DR3WTeiNu4cTJR_WA8RANLRq9fu2LWX6B9Gvowg1UQdo78FqLs6zjUT80TSQv1QfzozRiwyjMhg06zBxZOsvbp2jYYCaJ28zRIzhY8HvTSY-UBYydK/s1600/Edible+Flowers+Bro+Herald+2-17-13+complete_Page_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaShqBEeyUv0FPTa5qT5nN8pir5DR3WTeiNu4cTJR_WA8RANLRq9fu2LWX6B9Gvowg1UQdo78FqLs6zjUT80TSQv1QfzozRiwyjMhg06zBxZOsvbp2jYYCaJ28zRIzhY8HvTSY-UBYydK/s640/Edible+Flowers+Bro+Herald+2-17-13+complete_Page_2.jpg" width="354" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cauliflower (cheddar and purple) and Romanesco are actually immature flower heads. Yellow flowers pictured above are broccoli florets, all from my garden.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8W7HQPJEBE6lmz68-9HOVYMvqqnGxG06fXAfDfWQ8367xBwa0bh51YUDQPUCLa_xhqM69oviCoe4FDPHD9BqM7imz_UCTzn_1svzq_oIZW6XYy8D3tuthZCWO18XDLRFyzF_8s8Yddrpj/s1600/Edible+Flowers+Bro+Herald+2-17-13+complete_Page_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8W7HQPJEBE6lmz68-9HOVYMvqqnGxG06fXAfDfWQ8367xBwa0bh51YUDQPUCLa_xhqM69oviCoe4FDPHD9BqM7imz_UCTzn_1svzq_oIZW6XYy8D3tuthZCWO18XDLRFyzF_8s8Yddrpj/s640/Edible+Flowers+Bro+Herald+2-17-13+complete_Page_3.jpg" width="555" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mexican Mint Butter sprinkled with calendula petals, sage cheese ball and fennel black olives accompanied by Alice's Country Kitchen heart and flower shaped crackers and bread were part of the yummy tastings along with Secret Garden Rosemary Tea and items pictured above. A big thanks to Colleen, Cheryl, Marylyn and Alice and all those who attended! It was FUN! and thanks to the Brownsville Herald Brad Doherty and Yvette Vela for great photos. Makes me hungry all over again.</td></tr>
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Brownsville Herb Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942019247397468174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811843067430347142.post-46291037089138021612012-11-02T22:23:00.000-05:002012-11-06T18:43:06.078-06:00Flowering Plants and MoreAfter the recent rains there are alot of beautiful flowering plants blooming right now. One of my number one spots to find unique plants is at <strong>Palms Gardens Nursery, 345 Galveston Road in Brownsville, Texas.</strong> Nurseryman Morris Clint is a wealth of knowledge and I love discovering what he's got growing.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's just a glimpse of some of what he has in his nursery this week (11-2-12)</div>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUckXXVz3M1WV3CukrITmqGvg9mKteMCT27qW9alHah3M3Hj9dTfzhqfyhGmrQmap8b_BbJODvSiA23d5LAFWIaI0iUiAr_HhFIS1wBzOKGVtQAUXxhRbIJQ6f4Fvj_mc6XCTLie7IDi-v/s1600/chorisia+speciosa+flower+compr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" qea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUckXXVz3M1WV3CukrITmqGvg9mKteMCT27qW9alHah3M3Hj9dTfzhqfyhGmrQmap8b_BbJODvSiA23d5LAFWIaI0iUiAr_HhFIS1wBzOKGVtQAUXxhRbIJQ6f4Fvj_mc6XCTLie7IDi-v/s320/chorisia+speciosa+flower+compr.JPG" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Check the bloom on this tree out.</div>
This is the chorisia speciosa.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRk-ptIMM3bdqqT4RDgmNoH7_ZMwj8K8OZGnPEaR9ftw8_t5O1JW2s1UqkOOP3Sb9tfbOls1vXuPZOPQBpaVRUKrXONTsWbKeqRFlumPAHV0_hQyxdylrqNK-aqHuiwv6FEfTNk5Rv3esW/s1600/chorisia+speciosa+flower+2+compr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" qea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRk-ptIMM3bdqqT4RDgmNoH7_ZMwj8K8OZGnPEaR9ftw8_t5O1JW2s1UqkOOP3Sb9tfbOls1vXuPZOPQBpaVRUKrXONTsWbKeqRFlumPAHV0_hQyxdylrqNK-aqHuiwv6FEfTNk5Rv3esW/s320/chorisia+speciosa+flower+2+compr.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice speciman flowering tree - spectacular -<br />
allow space for growth when planting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqovwnT3-mhpBaOh_mCEkygFOVVamUh7-y8V_RgztNfIfF3tF7l3ShVaVaz458e3TBsN4Vr2u38dwWrxxOZ8T6FNh-2QuPJqenqOo3W2hWQbvmEbchjo_z2dnGd2UfshdyMynN6rtp0ori/s1600/chorisia+speciosa+tree+10-31-12+compr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" qea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqovwnT3-mhpBaOh_mCEkygFOVVamUh7-y8V_RgztNfIfF3tF7l3ShVaVaz458e3TBsN4Vr2u38dwWrxxOZ8T6FNh-2QuPJqenqOo3W2hWQbvmEbchjo_z2dnGd2UfshdyMynN6rtp0ori/s320/chorisia+speciosa+tree+10-31-12+compr.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This tree is nine yeas old and is about 50 ft. tall.<br />
This is the South American variety that is<br />
hardier to cold than the one from Mexico.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Bougainvilleas</strong> are one of my favorite plants because</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
they come in such a vast array of vibrant colors. </div>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWka0c0d5lAu4I42lpyJPgD235ZmuQvexl_jki8v15zzA_bMOkVamF-0e5YCFWN8KhyphenhyphenXDYlNb1A1-o7XrRkc7d5y-FhMrcFkhhG7pskIHbewjvopAyZD9ggvHdWMJ7m2jCIzLLUMedbvQZ/s1600/bougenvillea+6+mixed+compr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" qea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWka0c0d5lAu4I42lpyJPgD235ZmuQvexl_jki8v15zzA_bMOkVamF-0e5YCFWN8KhyphenhyphenXDYlNb1A1-o7XrRkc7d5y-FhMrcFkhhG7pskIHbewjvopAyZD9ggvHdWMJ7m2jCIzLLUMedbvQZ/s320/bougenvillea+6+mixed+compr.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are actually several different bougainvilleas plants, not one.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkHitsKpE_urUrAnoIbPHjSG4Qh6ujYrXs7EFOOQ5bXbrC5AVnsbwsJQdxvlHs1La8VsBGpsX7b4SHyRmxwK78DNFTbJ1Sj1BrjDZKVs2g9v0GSf4AhcI4KQmpWMRKK3AZ5iv0Iee3v9U/s1600/bougenvillea+2+comp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" qea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkHitsKpE_urUrAnoIbPHjSG4Qh6ujYrXs7EFOOQ5bXbrC5AVnsbwsJQdxvlHs1La8VsBGpsX7b4SHyRmxwK78DNFTbJ1Sj1BrjDZKVs2g9v0GSf4AhcI4KQmpWMRKK3AZ5iv0Iee3v9U/s320/bougenvillea+2+comp.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is an apricot colored variety "Sundown" Morris cultivated<br />
that turns different shades of color.</td></tr>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafakBIp6v1Afmq335aNFd9gDXD1BgwKvecJp33XvUWIIc8qgiWSnx2v_19PZh-BEI1rUIEGYzDklydsD8wkcCXZKSV4ChCF5sLfGGslY4ycED_yqZRRRoHAR7PvUwBDCePbpc7huz8tpE/s1600/bougenvillea+5+compr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" qea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafakBIp6v1Afmq335aNFd9gDXD1BgwKvecJp33XvUWIIc8qgiWSnx2v_19PZh-BEI1rUIEGYzDklydsD8wkcCXZKSV4ChCF5sLfGGslY4ycED_yqZRRRoHAR7PvUwBDCePbpc7huz8tpE/s320/bougenvillea+5+compr.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this vibrant deep pink above and the white with the hot pink edges below.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhsSSSZWAHvs-S8sYYOsST-jnBoAeAF_L5imWwOPX7ogxq7CgemHfrBe1zXBkepiN53TlDLHYZkNgi-2T8sNqWerpLtI-M4Fk-JyKyOZVeFdQGVRtWeNb3u1Fo7mYoppCfTSZNcnuCopB/s1600/bougenvillea+4+compr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" qea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhsSSSZWAHvs-S8sYYOsST-jnBoAeAF_L5imWwOPX7ogxq7CgemHfrBe1zXBkepiN53TlDLHYZkNgi-2T8sNqWerpLtI-M4Fk-JyKyOZVeFdQGVRtWeNb3u1Fo7mYoppCfTSZNcnuCopB/s320/bougenvillea+4+compr.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMKoCDviMe89svm3UGFRXfc8n-vI6ajF5z_8YZBKM-S9OtoEwF8X6tABerQzkiB_yayEO_Gpl_HhFwfBJ-HhP2_hlfNBzO7JQpw0yzQ6GZjjyZDWKd86nSLa-RA-a0FgDLYTPFqX8LHdc/s1600/bougenvillea+3+comp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" qea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMKoCDviMe89svm3UGFRXfc8n-vI6ajF5z_8YZBKM-S9OtoEwF8X6tABerQzkiB_yayEO_Gpl_HhFwfBJ-HhP2_hlfNBzO7JQpw0yzQ6GZjjyZDWKd86nSLa-RA-a0FgDLYTPFqX8LHdc/s320/bougenvillea+3+comp.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
The colorful bracts or leaves below the flowers are often mistaken for their</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
blooms when in actuality the blooms are the small white tubular flowers. </div>
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<br /></div>
<h4 style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
Vining Plants</h4>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsI77ir7GS0F9nJloeBMt1focMHTHXnuHiXq-UGZvjwoy9ghUZ89gWeJknYdb_Hr7ZzkQs_Kp9Lp2kHTOPusRnndJX510r2FOEuYfyuxDsrBjgcZLHdfa7wUYzwvKXGveM_GLtCjBMUFt/s1600/vine+pink+comp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" qea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsI77ir7GS0F9nJloeBMt1focMHTHXnuHiXq-UGZvjwoy9ghUZ89gWeJknYdb_Hr7ZzkQs_Kp9Lp2kHTOPusRnndJX510r2FOEuYfyuxDsrBjgcZLHdfa7wUYzwvKXGveM_GLtCjBMUFt/s320/vine+pink+comp.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQnq-6RSzmiHqZJxatuwFQZPqxe32hsydYzE2bB-SMmKcQrqSwy78x0ttlv4zWCK2hhS3swWhoEKk-y85dptd_R5FOJjABKnurz5rBd1bNB9y6JupYZiODlQxLv2K8ROKG0uBDsZCjcAj/s1600/vine+compr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" qea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQnq-6RSzmiHqZJxatuwFQZPqxe32hsydYzE2bB-SMmKcQrqSwy78x0ttlv4zWCK2hhS3swWhoEKk-y85dptd_R5FOJjABKnurz5rBd1bNB9y6JupYZiODlQxLv2K8ROKG0uBDsZCjcAj/s320/vine+compr.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morris also has this vining plant available that is growing all along his fence.<br />
I can't recall the name of it right now but it comes in several shades<br />
from white to pink all the way to this deep coral red shades above.</td></tr>
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<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Succulents</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9UWDWbFX5L7JG0_x3bCssUecx_bamFOF1pJCiHGC3pJOympqYR_okXdF37apczp_xqHVuYq5GfS6_35dRYPb_ni2qnVs9Lb-9RjsO5i34im4FwkXEQ78iAbg28SF1IsFn4w7AAdwH4kg/s1600/succulent+bud+compr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" qea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9UWDWbFX5L7JG0_x3bCssUecx_bamFOF1pJCiHGC3pJOympqYR_okXdF37apczp_xqHVuYq5GfS6_35dRYPb_ni2qnVs9Lb-9RjsO5i34im4FwkXEQ78iAbg28SF1IsFn4w7AAdwH4kg/s320/succulent+bud+compr.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowering succulents come in beautiful shades too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjP5awziNSe6ak72BOal0nkIwOe4AntzcoshxHFYVoK8xjZWZaXkCBmbN6jdOfZK2Vm3sQ0VIOx5zyh5mcol51k9qbGNSu2gJwmHHc0F8FlTyGO4az2LDosIhUeiHMm5_FrzoSMsBCXgti/s1600/Papaya+plants+compr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" qea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjP5awziNSe6ak72BOal0nkIwOe4AntzcoshxHFYVoK8xjZWZaXkCBmbN6jdOfZK2Vm3sQ0VIOx5zyh5mcol51k9qbGNSu2gJwmHHc0F8FlTyGO4az2LDosIhUeiHMm5_FrzoSMsBCXgti/s320/Papaya+plants+compr.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papaya plants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I not only enjoy adding color to my garden but also</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
like having an edible landscape. Morris has some nice Papaya plants</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
ready for transplanting, as you can see here.</div>
Brownsville Herb Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942019247397468174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811843067430347142.post-28627980779031209142012-09-28T09:59:00.000-05:002012-09-28T09:59:57.221-05:00Spice of Life: Debbie CoxHad to share - the following article was published in the Valley Morning Star:<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrK2CkebClucoQzrOUxgVZnzbVvBhlEohX8Q0uNLDT1MJg4-UJygHRAGbNPm7KyamoE-7C9IL3Obu7z36FovQg4ro-Fm8gx20zecDLYdU7mrClu1LY9YmMA1vLnGL7kzafzMZmHsO53oEM/s1600/SOLDebbieCox+compressed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrK2CkebClucoQzrOUxgVZnzbVvBhlEohX8Q0uNLDT1MJg4-UJygHRAGbNPm7KyamoE-7C9IL3Obu7z36FovQg4ro-Fm8gx20zecDLYdU7mrClu1LY9YmMA1vLnGL7kzafzMZmHsO53oEM/s320/SOLDebbieCox+compressed.JPG" width="170" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Debbie Cox and her husband Don have been staples<br />
at farmers markets in Harlingen, Brownsville and<br />
now in newer markets like Weslaco and Mission, <br />
selling a wide variety of herbs, vegetables and <br />
butterfly plants through their business, <br />
Perennial Favorites. (Courtesy photo)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
Couple outfit area residents with fresh herbs, veggies</h3>
September 26, 2012 10:24 PM<br />
By AMY LYNCH/Special to the Star <br />
<br />
Debbie Cox thinks gardening should be a delight for all the senses.<br />
<br />
In fact, she always encourages her customers at local farmers markets to take advantage of their full senses when shopping through her inventory.<br />
<br />
“You have to touch, and then smell, to get to know the plant better,” Cox said. “I always tell people to feel free to touch and smell the plants — everyone, especially the children.”<br />
<br />
Since 2008, Cox and her husband Don have been staples at farmers markets in Harlingen, Brownsville and now in newer markets like Weslaco and Mission, selling a wide variety of herbs, vegetables and butterfly plants through their business, Perennial Favorites.<br />
<br />
Debbie and Don moved to the Rio Grande Valley from Waco to continue Don’s work at a local nursery. After attending the First Texas Herb Conference in 1988, Don and Debbie decided to start their own business specializing in herb plants.<br />
<br />
“Our interest in herbs grew and so did our garden,” Cox said. “What I love about herbs is you can do so much. I love to cook, bake and make teas with them.”<br />
<br />
One of Cox’s favorite things about selling her herbs is the reaction from her customers.<br />
<br />
“A lot of people grew up with herbs. Maybe it was in their mother’s or grandmother’s garden,” Cox said. “So when they smell a specific herb, I see them get tears in their eyes or smile because it reminds them of a memory from their childhood.”<br />
<br />
Cox grows a wide variety of herbs, perennials and vegetables — including her current favorite, basil — which lends her the opportunity to share her expertise in growing and nurturing plants, especially through social media.<br />
<br />
“Social media is a great tool to stay in contact and get information out and share,” said Cox, who is a member of the Rio Grande Valley Social Media Club and has a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College.<br />
<br />
Cox takes advantage of Facebook and blogging to answer questions and help people with their plants. She also has local workshops and seminars on plant and herb care.<br />
<br />
Find Cox online at her blog <a href="http://herban-bliss.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Herban-Bliss</a> for tips and recipes or sign up to receive her Farmers Market <a href="http://eepurl.com/fkV0I" target="_blank">“Garden Post” E-letter</a> for plant availability, tips and happenings.Brownsville Herb Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942019247397468174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811843067430347142.post-65244132968706563502012-08-28T22:43:00.000-05:002012-08-28T22:43:43.471-05:00Rain brings Flying Creatures<div style="text-align: center;">Myself, the chickens, the doggies (Daisy and Herbie) and Dilly,</div><div style="text-align: center;">the cat, had a nice visit and play day with a friends’ daughter named Emily. </div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzer8Pqci0B7Xp7ts_tLs9AxOi3S6uRcWosaG3L8zHDp34fJZcCQJn7CiaqnJfDAAmuo6WqdukP34W92BfwJ5Knz4kzuaGDPdDqFjnroX9An9qEncMP6y9_Qd3Ti-k8vmXlEJ6huqML8Yi/s1600/Emily+dilly+compr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzer8Pqci0B7Xp7ts_tLs9AxOi3S6uRcWosaG3L8zHDp34fJZcCQJn7CiaqnJfDAAmuo6WqdukP34W92BfwJ5Knz4kzuaGDPdDqFjnroX9An9qEncMP6y9_Qd3Ti-k8vmXlEJ6huqML8Yi/s320/Emily+dilly+compr.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Besides loving to grow plants, Emily loves animals.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">While here we enjoyed watching a nice</div><div style="text-align: center;">rain shower from our back porch.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Yeah Rain!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZc5EYKQyFYLnPJCEhvINhdalNTLNwWNhqJUNPjWgXCU7aM7gIU2PzdgAo1Bz3vtTjP4KHLM4P85uhiZy-u5y7WcsuiU5OshsTFmxIGgQERXQ7PnZGeoAkJN5wJ-G9ClBh-jlNtjXOfs-/s1600/flying+sand+termites+compressed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><em><img border="0" ca="true" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZc5EYKQyFYLnPJCEhvINhdalNTLNwWNhqJUNPjWgXCU7aM7gIU2PzdgAo1Bz3vtTjP4KHLM4P85uhiZy-u5y7WcsuiU5OshsTFmxIGgQERXQ7PnZGeoAkJN5wJ-G9ClBh-jlNtjXOfs-/s320/flying+sand+termites+compressed.JPG" width="320" /></em></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Too bad my camera couldn't pick up the reflection of all the winged insects flying</em><br />
<em>between raindrops other than a few white splotches here in front of the chicken coop.</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">Amazingly in every direction we saw small winged creatures</div><div style="text-align: center;">filling the air, every which way we looked,</div><div style="text-align: center;">flying upward between the raindrops. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_HuqmI5yCMV1BKUXXhcBDgiiQa_pZdaj6G6KDDrxxAOMqVv1Wyp91rHQ9i1hSkS6z-y0hy-CD8T3AhR_VuxY19gAI2Hc-LtguQOhi3iizwwch9gUq8VvC69GPwGWU8RW2kswjATixanM_/s1600/termite+w+wings+compressed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_HuqmI5yCMV1BKUXXhcBDgiiQa_pZdaj6G6KDDrxxAOMqVv1Wyp91rHQ9i1hSkS6z-y0hy-CD8T3AhR_VuxY19gAI2Hc-LtguQOhi3iizwwch9gUq8VvC69GPwGWU8RW2kswjATixanM_/s1600/termite+w+wings+compressed.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once wet, insects shed their wings.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Emily caught a couple of the winged bugs,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">so we could get a close-up look at them</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">to try and figure out what they were. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" ca="true" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI6TWwEfp5zinJLqKNO-bmdC2laFA1QT5QZgRJf0EMIjdHU9r2HpE8fc88MJzKdjVPcKFVl6LQLFmRzx_y1QyMSiPEN-GFoEI8fkTMsGwDmEjGMFQZtG9h8-W9tX32MH7fH5eYKZ2knzo5/s320/termite+compressed+1.JPG" width="320" /></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiye7lnkVg53ax9h5MLkAEhDNp_SibJTuaCop0NNw5PzMoTof30wT9UDpgfpjM_FUSush2jCf4UXHr3SjLdHfylBHw8adL_83VAO4uRCElDNRCuq8Ehi96bs3JVmtDDEZB10hQ91zcaExId/s1600/termite+wout+wings.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ca="true" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiye7lnkVg53ax9h5MLkAEhDNp_SibJTuaCop0NNw5PzMoTof30wT9UDpgfpjM_FUSush2jCf4UXHr3SjLdHfylBHw8adL_83VAO4uRCElDNRCuq8Ehi96bs3JVmtDDEZB10hQ91zcaExId/s320/termite+wout+wings.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wingless Desert Termite.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After further investigation (in the rain) we found the winged bugs launching themselves from atop small hills made up of little pale yellow/white bugs piled up on top of each other coming from underneath the ground. <br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>I learned later from several friends, they saw the same thing where they lived some 20 to 40 miles away from here.<br />
<br />
Thanks to Professor and Extension Entomologist, Dr. Chris Sansone, Associate Dept. Head and Program Leader Extension Entomology of San Angelo, TX, who responded to my query “Are these termites and are they the bad kind? What can we do about them if anything?” <br />
<br />
His email response was “They are termites but they are the desert termite or agricultural termite. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCyB4yrbm0d5uyMGnJ9U-gN680H1ADR2oHX_1O9viMo9UHm3hnXhn_f21j_gzxiPD2SNuqc7BM-ksrS6TNP1sUhGShok3ZnnG2NPAuBSpk7LomgLu0Mw3HVTdsaAVP0zL48fjXROc3dTF/s1600/termite+tunnels+compr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" fea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCyB4yrbm0d5uyMGnJ9U-gN680H1ADR2oHX_1O9viMo9UHm3hnXhn_f21j_gzxiPD2SNuqc7BM-ksrS6TNP1sUhGShok3ZnnG2NPAuBSpk7LomgLu0Mw3HVTdsaAVP0zL48fjXROc3dTF/s1600/termite+tunnels+compr.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe you've seen evidence like this of the desert termite.<br />
They eat pasture grasses.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>They do not impact buildings (but will eat pasture grasses and will cover up fences and trees). They feed on the surface of wood but do not drill into the wood."<br />
<br />
Dr. Sansone sent a very informative link/handout that I have included with his permission to share detailing the <a href="https://agrilifebookstore.org/publications_details.cfm?whichpublication=2869" target="_blank">Desert Termite</a>, describing the biology of desert termites, explaining how to distinguish them from ants and other termite species, along with tips for managing them.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I also found <u>The Texas Bug Book</u> by Malcolm Beck and Howard Garrett (2000, p. 137) outlines a safe and effective approach for preventing termites including subterranean termites, the ones that are more destructive (in place of toxic chemicals.)</div>Brownsville Herb Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942019247397468174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811843067430347142.post-18920385930871473822012-03-01T01:43:00.000-06:002012-03-01T01:43:16.048-06:00Herbs Make a Festive Occasion<div style="text-align: center;">Herbs add the punch and pizzaz to make any occasion extra special.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I thoroughly enjoyed the Herbal Brunch at the</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rancho Viejo Garden Club's monthly meeting.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6xBosEHN1TeKiAt1ih4jXwb0sDMkJdFvrx0RlwMGwBDTMC7__iRfm81bJnWGYTLFvVYzvRPwJn7liMPD-AXlcioc0oqmkgR5QIfWBFGPwOGIPMfT8BEeYHCKsEmbvdoKtqE_cJmSaNqo/s1600/Rancho+Garden+Club+spread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6xBosEHN1TeKiAt1ih4jXwb0sDMkJdFvrx0RlwMGwBDTMC7__iRfm81bJnWGYTLFvVYzvRPwJn7liMPD-AXlcioc0oqmkgR5QIfWBFGPwOGIPMfT8BEeYHCKsEmbvdoKtqE_cJmSaNqo/s320/Rancho+Garden+Club+spread.jpg" uda="true" width="180px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Quite a spread - everyone enjoyed.</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQHcwhW1ud-Bup3tlSJiFbKxkidTKCEUev4c2a9haWK-ummnh6_eDR2aAAo86AoY0U-HxEocv21Zw268L9LD4k6kBxp0mMWkRgXxKZSsznzHfSCl4HuHI6saYNBsWiAiL-Y1uPZ-wmReV/s1600/secret+garden+rosemary+tea+compr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQHcwhW1ud-Bup3tlSJiFbKxkidTKCEUev4c2a9haWK-ummnh6_eDR2aAAo86AoY0U-HxEocv21Zw268L9LD4k6kBxp0mMWkRgXxKZSsznzHfSCl4HuHI6saYNBsWiAiL-Y1uPZ-wmReV/s320/secret+garden+rosemary+tea+compr.JPG" uda="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>The Secret Garden Rosemary Tea</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>(recipe can be found on this blog)</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>one lady remarked it reminded her of Mardi Gras colors.</em></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5JnDCAqL_GixNAieLfRtlPwq1frtgg-1mnpFgcA5Mvbv4bE5Aqu-nrWXtdV5vNaW2GdqEhDe0XdlrnSgHKhzwZC5r-HWSnttD4AZQtjRnEvOUoJK5Y4LV1i1OHj7z6fTVbfNgDe1BDdy/s1600/lemon+rosemary+shortcake+compr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5JnDCAqL_GixNAieLfRtlPwq1frtgg-1mnpFgcA5Mvbv4bE5Aqu-nrWXtdV5vNaW2GdqEhDe0XdlrnSgHKhzwZC5r-HWSnttD4AZQtjRnEvOUoJK5Y4LV1i1OHj7z6fTVbfNgDe1BDdy/s320/lemon+rosemary+shortcake+compr.JPG" uda="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Check out the <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/lemon-rosemary-coffee-cake-50400000119179/" target="_blank">Lemon Rosemary Coffe Cake</a> recipe from the</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>January 2012 <u>Southern Living</u> magazine that was served.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgLxryx4Eq4oe8qOp7en6NwgrED3ExlihKDgkYjEYlsCbx6da0CkfROqu5hxd1T1JBKlSx6RQunwMobfFoBTmk_SoORS8_mYZLJ5f8OmVySIwRBqt3dT56PAz-0zo4d818YYQbOfj4bbI/s1600/yum+table+rancho+viejo+Jeans+pretz+compr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><em><img border="0" height="180px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgLxryx4Eq4oe8qOp7en6NwgrED3ExlihKDgkYjEYlsCbx6da0CkfROqu5hxd1T1JBKlSx6RQunwMobfFoBTmk_SoORS8_mYZLJ5f8OmVySIwRBqt3dT56PAz-0zo4d818YYQbOfj4bbI/s320/yum+table+rancho+viejo+Jeans+pretz+compr.JPG" uda="true" width="320px" /></em></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em> Yumm ... I enjoyed the wonderful herbal brunch at the</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Rancho Viejo Garden Club - Lemon Rosemary Coffee Cake,</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Secret Garden Rosemary Tea, Rosemary ShortBread</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>(tasted like scones), Minted Ruby Red Grapefruit,</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Herbal Pretzels, Herbal Dip with Fresh Asparagus</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>and Herbal Deviled Eggs.</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Thanks to Jean, Bennie and Bridget and all the ladies who came!</em></div>Brownsville Herb Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942019247397468174noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-811843067430347142.post-74927379226214925672011-11-18T22:34:00.000-06:002011-11-18T22:34:43.828-06:00More to Enjoy<div style="text-align: center;">Thanks again to Guy Huddleston for sharing these beautiful shots of butterflies and moths taken in his South Brownsville, Texas butterfly garden. </div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-dfETFy8l3QDICnKpnEcJBe-89rfANMdUZGZuPSK-P4AaEjpnwoVvjAH881kz3GbZ0EOwo2FT0v1g47Ww8QJaKyIzqHR3XIgHSrmmv_vCMfdukyrAHOljedaAFFH4wuAtjdng0nz7pGF/s1600/pixie+butterfly+compressed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-dfETFy8l3QDICnKpnEcJBe-89rfANMdUZGZuPSK-P4AaEjpnwoVvjAH881kz3GbZ0EOwo2FT0v1g47Ww8QJaKyIzqHR3XIgHSrmmv_vCMfdukyrAHOljedaAFFH4wuAtjdng0nz7pGF/s400/pixie+butterfly+compressed.JPG" width="285px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pixie Butterfly taken in South Brownsville,<br />
Cameron County, Texas, November 13, 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTy2LMFJxs7IqTor_h5-A3SMxEHSpjLpt99jNl3WUnKtgckx_txhnf90i11WoRbP5zrZLUmBBgbuC6gXpivR4Sm48O17q5cu-IQbCvK7oXKFSuLpHUYR9HymzNh2h9qB_n7Dd-RQadAzI/s1600/Large+White+skipper+compressed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTy2LMFJxs7IqTor_h5-A3SMxEHSpjLpt99jNl3WUnKtgckx_txhnf90i11WoRbP5zrZLUmBBgbuC6gXpivR4Sm48O17q5cu-IQbCvK7oXKFSuLpHUYR9HymzNh2h9qB_n7Dd-RQadAzI/s400/Large+White+skipper+compressed.JPG" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laviana Skipper, <em>Heliopetes lavianus</em>, taken November 13, 2011.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknrt-o7U4r9jmezdYEWokdLCplumqL4em-zSWDcs6ALlaMDNaT7zFkQ2eNFihQyWXNDPE31vd7fJ3BobfxwXW91IAOmFM3kkoNpic3l4O0nRdOqjO2Z5rgvasWx5Yx-q0gW4W0ynGAk6I/s1600/Butterflies+11-13-2011+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="281px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknrt-o7U4r9jmezdYEWokdLCplumqL4em-zSWDcs6ALlaMDNaT7zFkQ2eNFihQyWXNDPE31vd7fJ3BobfxwXW91IAOmFM3kkoNpic3l4O0nRdOqjO2Z5rgvasWx5Yx-q0gW4W0ynGAk6I/s320/Butterflies+11-13-2011+057.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've forgotten the name of what I<br />
call the art deco moth taken November 13, 2011? Will have to add later.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfhyphenhyphengNPcFBvKZDkXyhF-kgjhQ1ejVKTYmZbMfWakDLK9wS9lUSKKxAmj1pAnCTRBWEXb1J8PYggUTX2isd3y_FtMNF4LNyeT-Yb4v4bO7-Om4PmBGlkSWxKbA-1Tkty6FsYbsIMxRKmI_/s1600/guava+skipper+compressed+on+Pato+de+Chivo%252C+or+Bauhinia+mexicana.+The+Mexican+Orchid+Tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="281px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfhyphenhyphengNPcFBvKZDkXyhF-kgjhQ1ejVKTYmZbMfWakDLK9wS9lUSKKxAmj1pAnCTRBWEXb1J8PYggUTX2isd3y_FtMNF4LNyeT-Yb4v4bO7-Om4PmBGlkSWxKbA-1Tkty6FsYbsIMxRKmI_/s320/guava+skipper+compressed+on+Pato+de+Chivo%252C+or+Bauhinia+mexicana.+The+Mexican+Orchid+Tree.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guava Skipper on a Pato de Chivo, or <em>Bauhinia mexicana,</em><br />
The Mexican Orchid Tree taken September 30, 2011.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzU7VxAADCALtA-4S83kLX3PLEZ8KMIUlxD03jKEY2Z-BUTBu6dMzunjAHg_xAkmn_sRUp8BOR3wwiRx41QpdUsc9IAyaq9P8WTJFcHhPTGYfXgo7q8ZGIVfRtkfJdNrbqqYd1aboc7F7/s1600/hummingbird+moth+compressed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzU7VxAADCALtA-4S83kLX3PLEZ8KMIUlxD03jKEY2Z-BUTBu6dMzunjAHg_xAkmn_sRUp8BOR3wwiRx41QpdUsc9IAyaq9P8WTJFcHhPTGYfXgo7q8ZGIVfRtkfJdNrbqqYd1aboc7F7/s320/hummingbird+moth+compressed.JPG" width="302px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hummingbird Moth taken September 30, 2011.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_G7eC_tJ1qrK6ZfbydkwmlOKX4Be2a9nmbbashK1WWFrLduEzpDOQSBMlAlRiVi9uOAfKyaGks0wFgfJVaFBOwTJZbowQwYIDw7-9U9EW2AEHFKelvfhmiLvx87xmgS48kKsyfXombq_q/s1600/hummingbird+moth+on+Sweet+Almond+Verbena+compressed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="185px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_G7eC_tJ1qrK6ZfbydkwmlOKX4Be2a9nmbbashK1WWFrLduEzpDOQSBMlAlRiVi9uOAfKyaGks0wFgfJVaFBOwTJZbowQwYIDw7-9U9EW2AEHFKelvfhmiLvx87xmgS48kKsyfXombq_q/s320/hummingbird+moth+on+Sweet+Almond+Verbena+compressed.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hummingbird Moth on Sweet Almond Verbena<br />
taken September 30, 2011.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Brownsville Herb Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06942019247397468174noreply@blogger.com0