Tropical plants

A couple of years ago, I moved several tropical plants from patio containers to the ground around my front tree. They took off more beautifully than I could ever have anticipated. Last winter they got frozen back but are once again going strong. You'd think I lived in the subtropics or something!

Happy grandma

Here I am happily surrounded by four of my grandchildren. I highly recommend having grandchildren. You might want to talk to your adult children about going into production mode. No pressure, though.

Did you happen to notice the micro-dog? - QC Karen

Useful tools 3

Even though I don't deal with the byproducts of farm animals, my new manure fork (red) is handier than my old pitch fork (green). The manure fork has a long handle -- good for a tall person. The manure fork has an extra tine, the tines are a little closer together, and they are curved at the end. I find the manure fork ideal for turning the compost pile. I got it in Big Box Land. - QC Karen

Purple mystery flowers

OK, y'all. What kind of  flowers are these? They're really pretty but I think someone secretly planted them on May Day. I just noticed them the other day, and I know I didn't plant them. Otherwise I would know the name of them!

Patience, my dear

About five weeks ago here on the Texas Gulf Coast, we had damaging hail and high winds. Many trees all over the area were down, and my seedlings did not do well. Upon inspection the next morning, I was dismayed to find shredded plants. My normal thing would be to pitch all the seedlings. This time I decided to wait to see if they would recover. And they did. Note to self. - QC Karen

35 years together!

Thirty-five years ago I married the love of my life. (I think Mark has a wolfish gleam in his eyes, don't you?) Two children and seven grandchildren later, we are still going strong. God has blessed us so much through the years, even with gray hair! - QC Karen

Backyard jungle

Lest you presume this is a tropical rainforest, let me tell you straightaway that this is my tomato patch. I have 24 tomato plants, most almostt 6 feet tall. They are to the point of producing small fruits and plenty more blooms. I am thrilled with the progress, especially since this is my first time to succeed at growing tomatoes from seed, which I started five and a half months ago.

All the recent growth, however, made it
necessary for me to prune my tomato plants.

There were a lot of clippings!

Here are previous Quirky Cultivator posts on the subject:
How to plant seeds indoors
How to use a shop light