Results tagged “Wisconsin”

Growing tomato plants top 6 feet

Racine, Wisconsin — The heirloom tomato beds that Amy dug and planted in late May, and mulched on June 1st now sport tomato plants over 6 feet tall, as well as basil and peppers. So far, we've only harvested a couple of ripe Roma tomatoes.

The raised bed has herbs -- parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme -- as well as as full flat of assorted marigold and a couple of English lavender plants. Don't believe the nonsense about rabbits avoiding marigolds and lavender. There's most likely a rabbit sleeping in that bed just a couple of feet from Amy even as this photo is taken.

Hang on, little tomato

Racine, Wisconsin — Today's photo -- after astonishing rains, with more on the way -- is inspired by the song "Hang On Little Tomato" by Pink Martini:

The sun has left and forgotten me
It's dark, I cannot see
Why does this rain pour down
I'm gonna drown
In a sea
Of deep confusion

The song appears on the 2004 Pink Martini album, Hang On Little Tomato.

These particular tomatoes, growing in our backyard garden, are Health Kick Tomatoes, named for their high levels of the antioxidant lycopene, which is said to fight cancer and promote healthy cell growth:

"Health Kick" is also a heavy yielder—up to 300 fruit on a single plant, bearing from early summer to fall frost in generous clusters. The large, plum shaped fruit looks like a 'Roma' tomato, but a brighter red.

The Racine weather forecast is calling for another inch or two of rain tonight, with more showers and thunderstorms tomorrow.

Sunday should be sunny, with a high of 79 degrees.

Mitchell Middle School double rainbow

Racine, Wisconsin — A double rainbow shines over Mitchell Middle School's west entrance and American flag following a summer rain shower.

Backyard garden beds, July 9

Racine, Wisconsin — Our backyard garden beds, nearing the halfway point of the growing season: Raised bed with marigolds, English lavender, snapdragons, rosemary, parsley, and sage; heirloom tomato beds with basil and peppers; Taylor juniper bed with ferns and Columbine.

Red Admiral butterfly on purple coneflower

Racine, Wisconsin — Dorsal view of a Red Admiral butterfly (Vanessa atalanta) as it feeds on a purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). We saw an abundance of Red Admirals here in early July.

President Obama in Racine at Memorial Hall

Racine, Wisconsin — President Barack Obama answers a question during his town hall meeting at Memorial Hall. (See also: My blog post and videos.)

Racine's Memorial Hall hears President Obama

Racine, Wisconsin — An audience at Memorial Hall listens to President Barack Obama during his town hall meeting. (See also: My blog post and videos.)

Air Force One from Racine, Wisconsin

Racine, Wisconsin — Air Force One, as seen from Lake Ave. near 7th St. outside Memorial Hall, about 90 minutes before President Obama's town hall meeting there.

John Deere tractor and Zoey

Brighton, Wisconsin — Our great niece Zoey at the wheel of a John Deere tractor during the 2010 Kenosha County Dairy Breakfast at Crane Dairy,

Belle City threshing machine, long view

Brighton, Wisconsin — Long view of a 1915 Belle City threshing machine (see the video) displayed during the 2010 Kenosha County Dairy Breakfast at Crane Dairy,

Belle City logo on threshing machine

Brighton, Wisconsin — 1915 Belle City threshing machine (see the video) displayed during the 2010 Kenosha County Dairy Breakfast at Crane Dairy,

Belle City threshing machine

Brighton, Wisconsin — 1915 Belle City threshing machine (see the video) displayed during the 2010 Kenosha County Dairy Breakfast at Crane Dairy,

Red Admiral butterfly on Black Elderberry flowers

Racine, Wisconsin — A Red Admiral butterfly rests on Black Elderberry flowers in our backyard.

Ian graduates from 8th grade

Kenosha, Wisconsin — Our nephew, Ian Thrasher, graduates from eighth grade at St. Joseph Interparish Junior High School, shaking hands with keynote speaker and St. Joe's alum Lisa Halverson. Our great nieces' grandpa, dean Doug Reindl, masters the ceremony from the podium.

Amy's alfalfa mulch from above

Racine, Wisconsin — After reading about Ruth Stout in Jerry Minnich's Wisconsin Garden Guide, we have used alfalfa hay for garden mulch with good results. We buy it from a farm just across the interstate and, when necessary, run it through the lawn mower to make it finer. A total of four bales went onto the existing raised bed and the two new tomato beds. Amy did all the work, while I stayed inside making websites.

Scarlet Tanager in our mulberry tree

Racine, Wisconsin — This is the first Scarlet Tanager I have seen in the five years we have lived here. The mulberry tree has only recently flowered, so it's too early for fruit. The bird flitted from branch to branch for about five minutes, then flew off.

Cooper's Hawk on backyard birdbath

Racine, Wisconsin — A young-looking Cooper's Hawk surveys our backyard from the centrally positioned birdbath, causing quite a stir among all the sparrows in hiding.

Forsythia in bloom after renewal pruning

Our forsythia is finally blooming again -- after just one year of a three-year renewal pruning plan.

Red Jewel Crabapple, iced

Racine, Wisconsin — Red Jewel Crabapple (Malus x 'Red Jewel') covered with hoarfrost on a cold Wisconsin morning.

Hoarfrost and American flag, Mitchell School

Racine, Wisconsin — Hoarfrost covers trees at Mitchell school on a cold January morning.

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