Last summer, I grew only cherry tomatoes and flowers. We got more tomatoes than the year before, but then I went to see my friend Lianne. Her cherry tomatoes made mine look pathetic!
Oh, I know, comparison is the thief of joy, as the saying goes. But how could I not compare? Her plants are in the ground, growing on her generously-sized country lawn. Mine are in a planter box to foil any rabbits or mice that come along. Their roots can’t go as deep so the fruit is smaller.
This year, we planted fewer cherry tomatoes and a new addition to the container garden: cucamelons. Lianne had such a bounty of these little babies that she gave me a bunch to take home. They’re not like anything I’ve ever eaten.
Cucamelons are native to Mexico. They’re about the size of grapes and taste like a combination of cucumber and tomato. They’re very crunchy and add a certain something to a salad. I really like them. And lucky for me, Lianne gave me some seeds.
I’m hoping that fewer tomatoes won’t have to fight for resources and therefore, give me a better crop. If I get any cucamelons at all, I’ll be amazed and happy.
Our BFFS – Best Flying Friends
The other container will grow only flowers, like last year. I loved being able to pick fresh gerbera daisies every few weeks. And they’re a gift to the bees. I also planted snap dragons and celosia.
It’s funny how attitudes change. I came across an old blog post I wrote in 2009. I had declared a war on weeds – not with pesticides but with my trusty dandelion remover tool. What a waste of time! That was when we lived in London and our next door neighbour picked out dandelions every day with a butter knife.
Seven years later, I wrote that I’d given up and was letting the yellow flowers have their way. It was silly of me to think I’d win the war anyway. And the bees love them.
We have the same attitude about dandelions here, although nowhere near as many of them. Our lawn isn’t nearly as big. And along with our next door neighbours, we’ve decided to grow clover on the lawn instead of seeding it with grass every year. It’s just as green and honeybees love the flowers. I suggested we also get a goat to keep it trimmed but no one else likes that idea. I’ll keep working on it.
A possible addition:
When it comes to creating a haven for butterflies in your garden, two plants often come to mind: milkweed and butterfly weed. These two plants may sound similar, but they have distinct characteristics that make them unique. Milkweed, with its delicate flowers and milky sap, is a staple in the monarch butterfly’s diet. On the other hand, butterfly weed dazzles with its vibrant orange flowers and ability to attract several butterfly species. Whether you’re a butterfly enthusiast or a novice gardener, understanding the differences between milkweed and butterfly weed will help you decide which plant is best suited for your butterfly garden.
Maybe next year I’ll work on attracting butterflies. Thanks, Allan.
I just like saying the word “cucamelon!”
Cucamelon!
Cucamelon!
Cucamelon!
Haha! Every time I say it I think of a song we had to sing in Brownies. Or maybe it was in school. Kookaburra. I think it began as an Australian nursery rhyme.