In This Corner, Standing Nine Feet, Three Inches....

Since last year I've reserved a corner of the garden for a solitary sunflower. I just wanted to see if and how one would grow if given the chance. I know the soil isn't very rich in this particular corner and I don't bother to fertilize it with anything except decaying plant material that I occasionally toss onto it over the course of the growing season. For some reason, last year I never got around to photographing the results of my experiment, but I'm correcting that this year. It's tall, it's magestic and I can't help but smile every time I look at it.

Pooh Would Approve

These slightly larger than baseball sized beauties are Tigger melons. I was warned before I grew them that they weren't as sweet as other melons, but I find their taste to be quite satisfying. And they have a fragrance that is out of this world. I brought two of them into the house and before I knew it, their sweet fruity smell had found its way into just about every room. I guess you could say that the aroma bounced its way into every corner of the house. Well, as Tigger would say, "Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo! T-T-F-N: ta-ta for now!"

Not Born In Beautiful Downtown Burbank

Most Americans familiar with the name Burbank know it because of the endless stream of jokes Johnny Carson made about the suburb of Los Angeles bearing the same name. But Luther Burbank's career as a botanist was nothing to joke about considering that during his lifetime he developed more than 800 strains and varieties of plants used around the world today. And he did so despite the fact that his formal schooling ended in high school.

The orbs pictured above are Burbank Wonderberries. I was warned before I grew them that their taste is usually mild and understated. The bad news is that this appears to be the case. But the good news is that they can be used in various recipes that apply to other types of berries and still produce a delicious outcome. I guess baking and sugar can add zip to any type of berry.

Banana Peppers Anyone?

Despite their name, banana peppers aren't usually yellow. Although I'm sure there is a botanist out there somewhere who is trying desperately to breed yellow ones.

Crooknecks In A Box

This is the first year I've tried growing Crookneck summer squash in a container. I used a 15 gallon plastic storage bin with a couple of drainage holes drilled in the bottom. Looks like things are working out just fine.