Thursday Thirteen - May 16, 2024

 Thursday Thirteen

It's that simple, thirteen things posted on Thursday!  Come join in. 

1 and 2 - There was an ant's nest under the rock I wanted to use.   I put the rock back, hoping I didn't mash any ants or (I would have said "eggs," but they look more developed than that) larvae.

3 - jumping spider

4 - ladybug pupa

5 - Orb spider in its web. 

The rounded lump at the top of the line of rounded lumps is the orb spider.  I am not sure what the other lumps are, I'd guess the night's prey wrapped up for later.

6 - yellow salsify  (Tragopogon dubius)

Yes, it's considered a weed to many a gardener, however it was introduced as a garden plant in the early 1900s.  It's related to parsnips, and all parts of the plant are edible. Salsify is also known as "oyster plant" because some people say it tastes like oysters. My only experience with oysters are smoked oysters from a tin during childhood Thanksgivings, so I wouldn't know.  I have mostly the purple salsify (Tragopogon porrifolius) and plan a post on it soon. 

7 - I planted my green beans, Dragon Tongue and Contender.  It's my first time with Dragon Tongue from Pine Tree Seeds, I usually get them from Baker Creek.  I hope they are as productive. 

8 - artichokes 

9 and 10 - pineapple weed at the park

Pineapple weed (Matricaria discoidea) is one of several annual weeds called wild chamomile.  The annual German chamomile is Matricaria chamomilla.  I grow the Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), a perennial, although just as an ornamental, not for consumption.  Pineapple weed, the top cone shaped parts are said to be quite tasty, but becomes bitter with maturity.  The plants can be pretty, with ferny foliage, however I've only seen them growing under harsh conditions, like this crack in concrete.

11 - I found a nice Corona Egrip weeder in the Goodwill Outlet bins.  It pops those long tap rooted rosettes out so easily!  It has a serrated edge too.  A $15 weeder for however much it weighed x $1.89lb.

12 - My strawberries are ripening!  Hood or Albion, I'm not sure as the two have managed to overrun the bed and intermingle. It's okay if they cross pollinate, I'm eating the fruit, not saving seed.  Probably Hood, it's the June bearer. 

13 - My peas have finally started blooming!  "Finally" in that I always think they are taking a long time.  Not my favorite Cascadia yet, these are the Magnolia Blossom Tendril.  Pink flowers, but green pods.  I bought these in 2022, but didn't get around to planting them until this year.  Seeds can be saved for years, often with no loss of germination.  Baker Creek guarantees there for two years after purchase, which these are. 

There you have them, thirteen things for this Thursday.  Click the link at the top to join in.  No need to be as wordy as I was, you can post thirteen words, photos, quote, books, thoughts... thirteen of anything is all you need!