Gardening: Jalapeño Update

I read online and in a few books that when flowers show up on the jalapeño plant to add some epson salt to the water and it will produce more jalapeños than with just plain water. Last year I had 4 total jalapeños on 2 plants. So it didn't seem like a worthwhile plant unless you have a lot of plants. So I tried this epson salt tip. Within 2 days of watering the 8 plants with a 1/2 cup of epson salt added to the watering can, the plants had a ton of flowers on it. Now, I have a lot of jalapeños. 

I am experimenting with where I have placed the plants. 2 pots with 2 plants each are placed on the Northeast corner of the house with no other plants around. I also have 2 pots with 2 plants each placed on the East wall of the house by the front door. There are hedges across the pathway. The ones on the northeast corner are growing better than the ones by the door. I need to figure out a way to put plants on that corner without killing the grass. I am thinking a platform of sone sort might work. Still thinking that one out. 

I will give another update once I start harvesting them.

Gardening: Lemon Plant

My lemon plant finally started to flower. The flowers are so weird. They come out as a inch long nub and then one day it breaks apart into a flower.

Then a few days later it drops the petals and leaves little green nubs. 

I am hoping those turn into lemons. We shall see.

Gardening: Tomato Update

So it has been a couple of weeks that my tomato plants have sprouted tomatoes. They are still green. This happens every year, but I get impatient during this time of the process. It seems like they stay the same size and green forever! 

Once they turn red, then I get so many tomatoes at one time I have to give them away. But I love giving them and so far I haven't recieved any complaints. It is also a guilt free gift to give, unlike cookies and cakes.

So, here are my tomatoes so far:

Gardening: Bush Green Beans Update

About a week ago, the green bean plants  started to grow these pretty purple flowers. Being that I have never grown green beans, I was surprised at how pretty the flowers were.

Then I noticed today that small green beans are now forming. They are little, but so far it appears that my first green bean planting (from seed!) is a success. I am going to weigh my crop this year so I know how much yield per plant I will get so I can balance my garden for next year. That way I get enough of what I like and just enough of the somewhat like.