Big Drama in the Garden! - Slug Alert!!!!!

Oh no! You heard it first here. Slugs have invaded the garden. They are preying on the flower and eating the fruit of the pumpkin plants. The plants are loosing their flowers that turn into the pumpkins. Tomorrow I will try to de-snail the garden. I looked on a website and they said to spread sand around the plants. Slugs do not like sand. Oh my. Depressing. I hope it is not too late! Where do they even come from?????

friends do not let friends wear glitter before noon

Beautiful Blooms!

Bloomers!

Howdy ya'll! Look at these plants! Spreading and growing like crazy! The plant on the left has perfect symmetry! How did that happen? Garden gnomes, of course!

Spiritual Health

The vines are sneaking all around the garden! They are growing long and lovely!

There she blooms!

AHOY! Look lads! It is a bloom on the pumpkin vine! It is peaking out and almost ready to open! How exciting! I had to shout from the rooftops because there were no guest gardeners in sight to witness the bounty! Ayy lads....they are a blessing from above!

Toss Your Cares Away

Today's guest gardener is a four-legged friend. She is my gal pal, Abby, visiting all the way from Bayview! She was speechless at the first site of the garden! Abby and Henry were already chatting about all of the fun times they are going to have this weekend! I am sure something with Murphy is in the works! Abby and I went for a walk around the neighborhood so she could get acquainted with the neighbors! They are big fans!

Meet Dr. Scoggins!

Who goes there? Upon my arrival back to Camp Tulledge this weekend, I spy a visitor in the garden! This visitor was named after a character from The Gnome Mobile Movie (1967). It has the Mary Poppins' kids in it! It was a Disney Movie written by Upton Sinclair (writer of There Will Be Blood).

After a little questioning, I discovered that Dr. Scoggins is from Papa K! This gnome has many talents! He glows at night and welcomes all future guest gardeners! Thanks Papa K for making the garden so fun!!!!

Take a Chance on Me!

Look at this gem of a leaf! Can you believe that these were little seeds from Kay Mama and L? I took a chance and look what came of it! I know you miss the gnomes! They are busy keeping the kids company at school. They are reading buddies. Their ancestors will make an appearance next week.

How far will your dreams take you?

These pumpkin plants are busy dreaming, while the pumpkin fairies are stretching the leaves larger! Check out the late bloomer! He has come a long way! He is on the left.

Stars and Stripes Forever Guest Gardeners

Two of these guest gardeners proudly serve in the United States Military! Corey is with both of his little brothers. Logan is his "little" from the Big Brothers, Big Sisters organization. Barry is his taller, little brother! Joel (far right) has known Corey since they were in kindergarten! Thanks for stopping by the garden boys! Hope you enjoyed the Brewers Game!

Norm's Polka Pick - Monthly Special

This is my friend Norm. He is a Blue Grass music enthusiast. He travels to various festivals all over the U.S. This month's polka pick is Grant Kozera. He covers the great polka king with his album "Yankovic Classics." Grant Kozera plays at the Alpine Restaurant in Mequon. Norm recommends it! Thanks Norm, see you in September!

ER Special! Transplant a Success!

Today's guest gardener, mama Pat, was a good nurse assistant to the P.P.G. ER doctor. Mama Pat provided a lot of valuable advice! It was a little touch and go, but I think they will be okay. We will closely monitor them to see if the transplant was a success. The L.B. was not moved, as it was just too dangerous. Two others remained unmoved. The twelve are in rows with plenty of room to grow! Stay tuned for updates. Did you get out your crock pot yet? See yesterday's post.

Get out the Crock Pot! - Flo's Diner Special Edition

I know you. You have it stuffed away. Did you even unpack it? Did you get one from an aunt for a wedding present? Dust off that baby and get to crockin'. Here is an easy recipe!

2 stuffed porkchops (local grocery store)
1 can of cream of mushroom soap
1 can of Milk (use the mushroom one)
1 tsp pepper - grind it baby!
Sprinkle of olive oil

Sprinkle olive oil in a pan and turn it up to medium. Fry the chops on both sides for 4 minutes. Back at the ranch, mix the soup and milk. Put browned chops in the pot. Pour soup mixture over the top. Sprinkle with pepper. The crock pot fairies will do the rest! Put it on low for 6 hours....or more if you are a working lad (or lass). Take out chops and put them on a festive plate (presentation baby). Mix 1/8 cup of flour with whatever is left in the pot to make a yummy gravy. If it is still runny...mix in more flour....don't be shy!

If you have a brood..or a granny...double the recipe! 4 chops, 2 cans of soup, and 2 cans of milk, 2 tsp. pepper

Willy Wonka

The next time you visit the Pink Polka Gardener's house, you will notice a yummy aroma. MMMM...Chocolate! The MR. decided to mulch with crushed cocoa shells. I didn't even know they existed! Take a look! Good enough to eat?

State Fair

Look at the beauty! The leaves are expanding and stretching towards the sun! I called for reinforcements for the moving day. It looks like the transplant will take place Saturday! Mama Pat will be lending her expertise and assisting with the move. Have a great day!

Pink

The Pink in Pink Polka Gardener comes from the color of the gardening gloves I use. I received them from my friend Meghan for my wedding shower last year. They are fashionable and quite long. I am sure the neighbors are impressed with my gardening fashions. The plants are getting more leaves each day and are starting to spread along the ground! They will be moved further apart this week! I hope the transplant will be a success!

Magical Things Happen Here!

Today's guest gardeners brought a special guest from CHINA, LiJian! LiJian lives in TianJin City. This is the city that will be hosting the 2008 Olympic soccer competition! Ping-Pong and soccer are very popular sports in China! There are even ping-pong tables in office buildings!

How many people do you see in this photograph? You are wrong! There is one more in Veronica's belly (she is on the first step)! God's blessings and much happiness to your family Steve and Veronica!

Guest Gardeners!

Papa K and the neighbors came over to see what all of the talk is about! L.B. Update: The late bloomer is now looking more green and is about 1/2 a gnome tall! Keep rooting people! Let's hear it...late bloomer! Late bloomer!

Uno, Dos, Tres!

Three leaves today! The new third leaf is more jagged and is more broad than its round, egg-like leaf neighbors. The plants are still only one gnome tall. There are more leaves budding in the middle of each plant. Late bloomer update: slow, but steady!

Bring Your Wellies

Today's guest needed two sets of Wellies to protect his paws from the garden. He inspected the plants and found them to his satisfaction, letting out a "wheek" of approval. Today's four-legged guest gardener received a bath after his gardening experience. He bids you good day!

Breaking Garden News!

Attention all readers: there is a late bloomer in the garden! Yes folks, that is right! There are now 13 pumpkin plants! This late bloomer will need your well wishes and encouragement. It has yellow leaves and does not look like the others. Corey fertilized the l.b. yesterday with espresso grounds. That should give the l.b. a boost! Root for the underdog! Stay tuned...

UW Alumni Guest Gardeners!

Please join me in welcoming UW alumni guest gardeners Jessica and Dorothy! They were amazed by the bounty of the garden! Jessica was so inspired, she created a mural in my craft room! The mural is stunning! Dorothy, who will be wed to prince charming in a couple of days, found the garden to have a calming effect. Wyatt, the littlest guest gardener, commented with a gurgle (this loosely translated means that he hopes one will be ready for his first Halloween). All of us here at the garden hope to see our guest gardeners soon and appreciate all of their company!

Gnome-tastic!

Sunny days bring taller pumpkin plants! The plants are all at least one gnome tall! One website suggests the plants be spread 4 feet apart, so moving day will be approaching for these little pre-Halloween buddies. Today I will be monitoring the sunlight to find the best location for moving day! Don't worry, they will not be moving out of The Comfy Castle Gnome Garden. They just need some space once the vines start twirling! Check back later! The garden is expecting some visitors from Belgium, WI today!

Emerge

12 jack-o-lantern pumpkin plants have emerged! Upon researching with Corey, we found that we may have 1-6 pumpkins per vine. We may have quite a few on our hands! They will be great for Jen and Bill's wedding in November. Do you think they will be ready to go for Beckett's second Halloween? Maybe. Keep looking here.

We have started putting our coffee grounds on the garden, per Mama Pat. Will it prove to be as effective as Miracle Grow? Barry would applaud our eco-friendly attitude!

Stay tuned for more updates!

New Beginnings

Corey has finished the garden design and construction!

Blessings on our new garden!