Monthly Archives: February 2010

Mother Load of Succulents

Posted by Lesley on February 28, 2010 3 comments

My succulent garden pretty much consists of two plants, and it started with one.  A couple years ago John’s father brought me a little succulent from his garden.  It was about four inches high, if that.  That one little plant has bred hundreds since, some of which had grown into three-foot giants before the cold hit. 

I never knew what these two plants were called, but our trip to Caspersen beach made me curious.  We took the trail through the coastal hammock and spotted a couple familiar blooms. 

If only I could tell you definitively what its name is!  Common plant names are both obvious and confusing.  Obvious because their names often reflect their appearance making them easy to identify.  This is the same Chandelier plant blooming in my garden.

Just like the blooms by the beach, this one will open fully and drop to look just like a chandelier.  The name is perfect.  The problem is that it’s also know as Mother-of-millions and so is the little succulent that John’s father brought us.  It’s all very confusing, and I didn’t have much more luck with the scientific names.  The chandelier plant is called Kalanchoe tubiflora and Bryophyllum tubiflorum.  Either way these names are ridiculous for the home gardener like myself.  I require the simplicity of the common name.  I can remember Chandelier plant.  Bryophyllum tubiflorum – not likely.  More often than not, the Chandelier plant is called Mother-of-millions, and the other one is called Mother-of-thousands.  Of course, the names fit.  These plants reproduce like crazy.  The mother-of-thousands grow and reproduce so easily that I’ve planted them in cups, bowls, and shells.

They are fascinating plants and particularly self-preserving.  Normally the buds that form drop from the leaves and root with no preference or mercy.  You really have to stay on top of them.  They’ve rooted between our brick pavers, the grass, potted plants, you name it.  This shell has been a different story.  It’s been growing on our kitchen window sill.  There was literally no where for the buds to drop and take root, so they started rooting in the air.

Amazing!  I love and fear both of these plants.  I can’t even count how many Mother-of-thousands are around the house and garden at this point…thousands?  And the story is the same for the Mother-of-millions.  I started with one and now have fourteen!  There are only 14 because I learned my lesson the first time around and kept my one little plant much more contained. 

F is for Ficus

Posted by Lesley on February 24, 2010 6 comments

My First Ficus

Ficus elastica 

I’ve had this ficus since it was a baby in a gallon pot.  It was originally planted outside but grew too fast and unruly to stay there.  Plants either die or flourish in the Florida heat.  Ficus plants fall into the latter category; they’ll grow into huge trees if given the chance.  I like them better this way - contained and low-maintenance.  I put it outside when we’re expecting a heavy rain.  The roots get a soak, the leaves get a shower, and done.   

So why is F for Ficus in the first place?  Because I’m participating in a blog project called ABC Wednesdays.  Each Wednesday I’ll be featuring an item in my garden from letters A to Z…actually F to Z.  This week is Round 6 – F - so I’m late…very late if you consider that the project is in its third year.  But better late than never – here is A to E: Ants, Butterflies, Crotons, Dahlias, and Echinacea-I’d normally refer to these as Purple coneflowers but E is a tough letter.  I better plant some Zinnias before I get to Z.

Venice Farmers Market

Posted by Lesley on February 23, 2010 1 comments

I made mention of the Venice farmers market on Sunday, but it’s worthy of a full post.  The market runs Saturday mornings from 8-12 in the Centennial Park parking lot on Venice Avenue.  There’s produce, flowers, crafts, coffee, and donuts.  But what impressed me the most were the plants. 

Blooming Groves Nursery brings in racks of vegetables, herbs, perennials, annuals, and succulents.  They are not certified organic but about 90% of their seeds are organic.  And instead of pesticides, they use a soap solution made up of one tablespoon Murphy’s Oil Soap (or dish soap), one tablespoon mouthwash, and one quart water.  I’m of the do the best you can mindset, so I’ll go back and buy from them-organic or not.  The plants look healthier and hardier than what you’ll find at Home Depot or Walmart, and the prices are comparable.  A gallon tomato plant was priced at four dollars.  Here’s a look at their succulent selection.

If you’re looking for 100% organic plants and produce, then shop the Downtown Sarasota farmers market on Saturdays (look for Worden Farm and Nature’s Partner) or the Siesta Key farmers market on Sundays (look for Jessica’s Organic Farm).  If you’re happy with a good local selection, this is a nice market.  Among the local produce were tomatoes, potatoes, radishes, strawberries, and of course; there’s always plenty of citrus…

Local honey is another mainstay at Florida farmers markets.  Walker Farms brings their honey from North Fort Meyers (on Bee Charmer Lane).  I only saw wild flower and saw palmetto varieties at the market, but online they sell orange blossom and black mangrove.  I always use honey in things.  Is there a huge flavor difference between varieties?  If there are any honey lovers out there, I’d love to hear your thoughts.  

Walker was also selling a line of handmade jellies and preserves from Paradise Gardens on Pine Island, where their black mangrove honey originates.  There were basics – strawberry preserves and mango chutney – and there were Florida delicacies - key lime jelly and grapefruit marmalade.  It was a great selection at this stand and throughout the market.  Lettuce Share loves the Venice Farmers Market!

The Accidental Tourists – Caspersen Beach

Posted by Lesley on February 21, 2010 2 comments

The weather slowly crept up to perfect over the weekend.  Yesterday morning we were in sweatshirts, by the afternoon we were in T-shirts, and today we were in shorts!  At 1:00, it was a sunny breezy 74 degrees.  Vitamin D is pumping through my veins, and it feels good!  John and I took full advantage of the warming weather and headed down to Venice yesterday, first to the farmers market and then to the Italian festival.  In between the two, we stumbled on Caspersen Beach.  For the first time in over ten years I felt like a tourist snapping pictures, pointing at the sights, and oohing and aahing at every turn.

The water was so still and so blue that if not for the clouds the horizon line may have been indistinguishable. 

Caspersen Beach is on the tip of Venice Island.  It’s an undisturbed beach with natural boulders and dunes.  It’s also a park; there are nature trails, a canoe and kayak launch, a playground, and picnic areas.  But most visitors seemed to be searching for only one thing…

 They were even willing to forge the frigid water for them…

Have you guessed yet?  These shiny black sea gems have made Venice, Florida an annual gathering spot for beachcombers everywhere.  The hot commodity are sharks teeth and the gathering is the annual Venice Sharks Tooth Festival.  The festival is in its 18th year and is scheduled for April 9-11.  We found a few sharks teeth on the beach, but here’s what a half-hour in the water can yield. 

Efficiency like that doesn’t come without some gear…

Caspersen Beach has to be the best destination a missed turn has ever led us!  It’s a must-see if in the area ~ 4100 Harbor Drive Venice, FL 34285.

Celebrating My Hundredth Post with Carrot Snack Cake

Posted by Lesley on February 19, 2010 None comments

I baked carrot snack cakes last night to celebrate.  To stay on theme, they’re in the likeness of ladybugs, dragonflies, bumblebees, and butterflies.  I found a backyard bug cakelet pan on sale for $20 at Williams-Sonoma after the holidays.  But the real inspiration was this giant carrot from Worden’s Farm.

Ta-da!  Happy Birthday Lettuce Share! 

The recipe is from Better Homes and Gardens New Dieter’s Cookbook, making it at least half the calories of your average slice of carrot cake with cream cheese icing.  More importantly, it tastes good.  Sift powdered sugar on top and it tastes even better, but the cake alone is moist and sweet.  Unfortunately, I’m no Minchul.  To see what you can really do with this cakelet pan, go to Ohdeedoh. 

This is the recipe exactly as it appears in the book, although I made a few small changes according to what was in my kitchen.  I chose butter over margarine, substituted raw sugar for regular granulated sugar, and used two-percent organic milk instead of skim.

Carrot Snack Cake

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup margarine or butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 3/4 cup finely shredded carrot
  • 1/4 cup skim milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Nonstick spray coating
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons sifted powdered sugar

Instructions

In a medium mixing bowl beat margarine or butter and granulated sugar until thoroughly combined.  Beat in egg.  Stir in carrot, milk, and vanilla.  In another bowl combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg.  Add to carrot mixture and stir until thoroughly combined.  Spray an 8x8x2-inch baking pan with nonstick coating.  Pour batter evenly into pan.  Bake in a 350° oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center of the cake comes out clean.  Cool completely in pan on wire rack. (Or, remove from pan after cooling 10 minutes.  Then cool completely.)  Place a paper doily on top of the cake.  Lightly sift the powdered sugar evenly over the doily.  Carefully remove the doily.  Makes 9 servings.

Nutritional facts per serving: 152 calories, 6 g total fat (1 g saturated fat), 24 mg cholesterol, 154 mg sodium, 23 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 2 g protein

Exchanges: 1 1/2 starch, 1 fat

An Alternate Garden

Posted by Lesley on February 17, 2010 None comments

Maybe I’ve been watching too much Lost lately, but it’s starting to feel like I’m living in an alternate universe.  It’s February in Florida yet the grass is brown, the trees are droopy, and the weather is still cold.  My alternate self is weeding under the warm sun somewhere, munching on peas and peppers.  But the real me has reaped five peas, no peppers and has zero interest in weeding with the temperature under 60 degrees.  Weeding, no, but clipping, yes, because in my alternate universe Tim Burton has taken over the garden, and that’s why everything looks like this:

That used to be Jasmine.  Looking at it makes me crave my clippers.  I want to rid the garden of all its depressing brown overtones.  My hands are shaking at the thought, but I need to control myself at least until next month.  Although I cheated this morning, it was for good reason:

How could a beauty like this live and bloom amongst this pile of dead sticks standing?

And who wants to look at this every time you walk in or out of your house?  It’s in this little space between our air conditioning unit and side door.  The garden was placed there initially because it was such a drab area; I wanted to be greeted by something when coming and going.  That’s just not what I had in mind.  Since Tim Burton took over, the dried up stems have been screaming at me, “Just do it already, get out the clippers!”  It was time.  Here’s my after:

Ahhhhhh.  I feel so much better now; I even found some hidden flowers amongst that deadening mess.  Hopefully, this will hold me until March. 

Valentine Advice from a Mole Cricket

Posted by Lesley on February 14, 2010 2 comments

My initial response to finding this mole cricket was EEEEEWWWW!  It’s so gross, and I had no idea what it was.  John had to identify it for me.  He knew right away, but I’ve never seen one before.  After a little internet research, it seems I’m not alone.  Mole crickets are common but rarely seen.  They burrow underground and are considered pests because they dig up lawns.  What it was doing in a box in our garage, I don’t know.  Hopefully, it was lost and alone.

Alone but not lonely, it is Valentine’s Day.  And since they can’t rely on their good looks, male mole crickets have developed a romantic side.  The go-to move of a mole cricket is a moonlit serenade.  They settle into their burrows at night and sing to their potential valentines flying overhead.  Sweet, isn’t it? 

Forget the Red Roses this Valentine’s Day

Posted by Lesley on February 12, 2010 None comments

They symbolize love – big deal.  So do Honeysuckle, Rosemary and Forget-me-nots.  I love roses, but these mass-produced Valentine’s Day roses bug me.  John brought home a huge bouquet from a normally fabulous florist yesterday and they’re absolutely sub-par.  I can say this because 1) without me saying a word, he called the florist to complain and 2) he never reads my blog.  His complaint was that too many petals are nicked.

My complaint is that the color and scent are washed out.  Instead of deep red, the petals look dipped.  Instead of feeling like velvet, they feel like paper.  And the scent…what scent?  I inhaled until I was lightheaded and nothing. 

     

Here’s something else from Zem Joaquin’s Huffington Post blog: “If all the roses purchased for Valentine’s Day in the U.S. were organically grown, it would prevent the use of 22,700 pounds of pesticides (The Green Book).”  Now there’s a reason to skip the traditional reds. 

But I’m not here just to complain, these are my favorite twists on the classic to bring some variety to your Valentine’s Day gift-giving this year. 

  • Yellow Tulips – Yellow roses may say, “We’re just friends” but yellow tulips say, “I’m hopelessly in love with you.”  What’s more romantic than that? 
  • Red Rose Tea Valentine Gift Basket - For the traditionalist who isn’t ready to fully break from the red rose paradigm. 
  • Rose Essential Oil - Good for your skin and an aphrodisiac,  everybody wins with this one. 

Butterfly Blood

Posted by Lesley on February 10, 2010 3 comments

It’s actually called hemolymph, but it looks like human blood.

I’ve scoured the Internet and library and haven’t found much information on the process of butterfly wings drying.  Well, there’s some, but it’s all about the hemolymph pumping through the wings as they unfurl during metamorphosis.  I found it far more interesting, and somewhat puzzling, to watch them drip dry red.

The puzzling part was the color of the hemolymph.  The drops on the newspaper were clearly red, but here’s a drop on the wing:

Oxygen is the only logical explanation; I found that butterfly hemolymph is normally the color seen in the latter shot.  This is a definition for hemolymph from The Lepidopterists’ Society: 

Hemolymph:  The typically yellowish colored fluid that carries nutrients (though not oxygen) around the body of the butterfly; the lepidopteran version of “blood”.

After four missed metamorphoses, I feel lucky to have a caught a glimpse of the golden hemolymph before the oxygen seeped in!

More Peas Please

Posted by Lesley on February 9, 2010 None comments

The sugar snap peas were about the only thing to survive the cold around here.  Only one out of four plants is brown and shriveled.  The rest are climbing, blooming and loving the cool weather. 

But this is the only plant producing peas.  The other two vines are bare.  The same thing happened to my summer squash…they’re just not getting pollinated.  It’s time to plant more sunflowers and call back the honey bees.  For now, I’m going to try to pollinate them by hand using a paint brush.  It may be too late, but it’s worth the effort.  They’re delicious!