Beets & succulents

Yay my beets sprouted! I counted about 20 seedlings. And I also remembered a tip for thinning. Don't pull them; clip them off with a pair of scissors. That way you don't disturb the roots or pull out more than you mean to. I should plant some lettuce, onion sets, and radishes soon.

After a week of unusually hot weather, we are back to sweater weather. We got some rain last weekend so I haven't had to water at least.

The donkey tail and epiphyllum I brought over from Nadine's old house have adjusted to growing in my back yard. After carrying for them so tenderly, I found out my boyfriend never cared for those plants anyway. But I love succulents, and always wanted a decent donkey tail plant. Everyone had them when I was a kid but ours never did well. I knocked a lot of 'beads' off this one when I moved it, but at least it's growing and looking healthy. I never thought to ask how old the plant was.

Beets

I recently planted some beets in my garden. They should be sprouting in a day or two.

One of my snapdragons survived over winter and is now covered with snow white flowers. I'm not sure if it's the same plant or came up from seed.

The ice plant I put in last year in the hottest spot in the yard spread like crazy and will keep the ground underneath it a lot cooler now. I'm looking forward to it's next bloom cycle. It will be a carpet of ice pink flowers.

I have a friend that is really into praying mantises. So I'm looking forward to seeing if they really do hang out underneath rose buds. I'm hoping to find a pink one like she did last year. She brought it inside and it has babies. How exciting!