This wateremelon was planted as part of a three sisters group. It is doing a good job of shading the ground. I plant these in a tire like the one in the foreground. Behind the corn is the swiss chard that is coming back after being eaten by rabbits. The zuccini row is also behind the corn. I will be having some more zuccini tonight as I saw at least two that were ready to pick. Under the baskets are beets. I'm very pleased with the results of planting in tires, the seedlings are protected by the tire until they are large enough to stand some nibbles by rabbits and quail. The critters don't seem to go inside the tires to eat the seedlings even if I leave them uncovered. When I remove the tire I plant another group and the crop should be continuous. Hopefully clear into December.

My son sent me this and I thought I'd share. A biker and his babe.

I found this on the web and I hope I don't offend anyone by posting it. This looks like a very inexpensive way to build a green house or animal shelter. Simple materials, pallets and cattle panels plus stabilizing boards. Cover with plastic or tarps or shade cloth and there it is all set for whatever purpose. It wouldn't be too hard to put an old door into the front and an old window in the back. Just a little imagination and it could easily be a finished building. If you have high winds it could actually be fastened to cement pilings or some kind of posts.

First fruits. Picked my first zuccini this week. I have had some radishes before this. I had been told I could grow zuccini here but so far they are doing good. I'm looking forward to more harvest as the season goes on. This week has turned hot, 100 - 110 so we'll see how the plants do in the heat.

Yesterday I took a road trip to my favorite little restaurant, Luchia's. You turn South on 93 after going North out of Kingman AZ on I-40. Luchia's is located about 4 miles from the little town of Wikieup. Years ago this couple settled there and began their gardens. Luchia baked pies and created a pie and coffee shop along the highway. This has been their home and business for many years. Luchia died in 2001. They have very high quality jewelry and Indian artifacts in their gift shop. I love it when people create a life as they have done. The patio dinning is in a beautiful oasis in the desert. 3 years ago I purchased my peahen Luchia from them and now have my beautiful boys from her, Snow Prince and Lil Carlos. I hope you enjoy your visit to Luchia's. I always do and take a long leisurely lunch. I go there about once or twice a year as it is a good 60 miles from my home.

This is the front of the gardens off the parking area. Windmill and old wagons create atmosphere. Saguaro is very old.

Pomegranate with fruit. I like the old wheel feature. There are more wagons and an old wood stove behind it.

A nice stand of Indian fig under the palm trees. There is a wooden perch behind the palm for the peacocks to show off their tail feathers. Although it was a hot day it seems very cool and refreshing in among the mature trees.

Patch of lawn off the patio. There are old saddles hanging over the patio rail. The shadows obscure them. Look hard.

Waiting for a handout and showing off his beauty.

The view from my table. Peacocks seem to know they are not allowed on the patio but walk up and down in front on the lawn area.

I was so pleased when the big fat lizard came to visit under my table. I saw him last year. Looks like he lost his tail so he isn't quit as long but he's chunky.

Koi pond with fountain surrounded with trees. There are blue tiles on the outer edge. It looks like a tropical paradise to me.

Koi in pond. Water looks a bit green. I wonder how the clean it?

Odds and ends in the garden. Old wagon, antlers, olive tree off the patio dinning area

Gardens at Luchia's.

Beautiful surprise this morning, a blooming cactus. I'm wondering if this is related to the night bloom cerius. Hard to tell from the picture but this is a soft pink color. The one on my front porch froze this winter but this little one tucked in behind the prickly pear and fig behind the bathtub garden is living. Purslane in my tub garden I'm planning on eating as they say it is very nutritious. I have a Peruvian Pear cactus as well and it froze badly this extra cold winter but it is coming back. It has fruit that is small and sweet I've read. I have one Indian Fig that is doing very well after the freeze, it was behind the chicken house where I think the heat from the chickens kept it from freezing. I've grown to love cactus with their surprizing blooms and fruits.

Amy showing her new watering can getting ready to water.

Amy my great grand daughter learning to take care of plants using her little watering can.

My two great grandsons hamming it up for grandma. Dethin on the left and Neo on the right. They each planted a tire garden you will see below. They are learning to be gardeners from grandma. Neo's shirt shows a cows reaction. It says, " Hamburgers are made of what?"

Neo's tire garden

Dethins tire garden.

watermelon as part of the three sisters. It is starting to put on blossoms. That's potato in the tire. I don't remove the tires when I plant potato. I just keep adding mulch.

Chilies in a pot on the back porch.

Tomatoes coming on.