Tag: gardening

I Laughed When She Said “Plant It”—Then This Happened 🍍

A neighbor handed me the top of a store-bought pineapple she’d cut off while slicing the fruit. Instead of tossing it, she thought I might want to plant it—just to see what happens.

I literally laughed out loud. “Plant it? Really?” I bellowed.

Two years later, the joke’s on me.

Despite my ignorance and complete lack of nurturing, that pineapple top I stuck in a pot turned into a legitimate, fruit-bearing plant in my Florida garden. I think I fertilized it once, watered it now and then, and never weeded it. Basically, a felony case of plant neglect.

Honestly, I forgot it even existed.

The pot sat abandoned in a back corner of my garden—out of sight, out of mind. But then, while mulching in early spring, I noticed something unbelievable: a pup sprouting from the center of the plant.

That got my attention.

I kept an eye on it, hoping for a sweet payoff. And sure enough, it happened! That little pup turned into a full-blown pineapple. Once it ripened to a golden hue, I cut it free, sliced it up, and shared the sweet success with my family.

So good. 😊

Now, the freshly twisted top is sitting in water, starting the rooting process all over again. This time, I might pay more attention.

Or maybe not.

Why mess with success?

Ripe Pineapple

A Firm Fit!

OMG! I Did It! 😂

Perfectly Sliced

Ready To Eat

Servings For The Family

Let’s Do It Again

Water For Roots

Another Pup!

She’s Pretty!

Story Writer/Photographer: Steve Geiger, Mellow Wanderer Creator
Showers To Flowers: Welcome May!

The old adage—”April showers bring May flowers”—doesn’t quite apply here in Central Florida. I sweat more than the scant rain we receive all month. Yet, despite the dryness, my garden bursts with color and life. Wildflowers flaunt vibrant coats of red, purple, yellow, orange, and white. Caterpillars munch on milkweed, fattening up before transforming into Monarchs, Giant Swallowtails, and Gulf Fritillary butterflies.

Cardinals, blue jays, sparrows, and the stunning painted buntings land on my bird feeders, fill their beaks, and take off more efficiently than commuter jets stacked on an airport runway. The visuals are stunning—far more attractive, though no less satisfying, than my rather bland-looking edibles.

Painted Bunting Male

Painted Bunting Female

As the calendar flips to May, my tomatoes and cucumbers wind down. Their abundant organic goodness has delighted the appetites of my family and neighbors. There’s nothing like sharing goodness from the garden.

I know my ebullient nature over my natural wonderland may not sit well with those of you dealing with spring frost, waiting—tick tock—to get your knuckles and fingernails dirty for planting season. If spring patience is a virtue, I have none. I’m well on my way, growing melons and beans for the summer season. Happy harvesting!
Witness the Birth of Flowers: A Breathtaking Timelapse!

PRESS PLAY TO WATCH TIMELAPSE VIDEO

Spring has sprung, and my Florida backyard is undergoing a remarkable transformation. New life is bursting forth from the soil, including an amaryllis bulb that I thought had bitten the dust two years ago. To my surprise, it has resurfaced, sending up a tall green stem with a promising pod at its tip. Eager to capture this journey, I quickly set up my GoPro Hero 9 camera, powered by an external battery, and configured it for timelapse mode, snapping a shot every two minutes for about 12 hours each day. I dubbed this project a “bloom or bust” opportunity.

After five days of non-stop shooting, I got the beautiful outcome I wanted. I’m thrilled with the result and hope it brings solace and joy to those who watch it. Ah, the magic of spring and the timeless cycle of life’s renewal.
Goodness From Mother Earth

Spring brings abundant pickings in my backyard Florida gardens. I’ve got cucumbers, tomatoes, corn, spinach, lettuce, eggplant, and cauliflower flourishing. Everything was seeded back in January. There’s no greater feeling of accomplishment than growing your own food. I’m no expert, just an ordinary guy willing to get some soil under my fingernails.
A Fall Symphony: Pagoda Plants And Okra Blossoms In My Florida Backyard

As the seasons transitioned from the scorching heat of summer to the milder embrace of fall, a remarkable transformation is taking place in my Florida backyard. The stars of this autumn spectacle are the vibrant Pagoda plants, with their exotic blooms bringing an unexpected burst of tropical color to the landscape.

These fascinating flora, scientifically known as Clerodendrum paniculatum, are native to Southeast Asia. They have found a comfortable home in Florida, thanks to the region’s warm and humid climate. Pagoda plants are known for their striking appearance, featuring lush green foliage and distinctive tiered clusters of flowers that resemble pagodas, thus their name.

The Pagoda plant’s leaves are large and glossy, providing a lush backdrop for the blooming spectacle. The flowers, arranged in cascading clusters, come in varying shades of red, orange, and coral, creating a stunning contrast against the rich green foliage.

A Dual Delight: Okra Crop in Bloom

Nearby, my okra crop is also in bloom, adding its own unique charm to the landscape. Okra is a warm-season vegetable that thrives in the Florida climate.

The okra plants had grown tall and robust throughout the summer, their sturdy stems and leaves providing a green backdrop for the delicate white and yellow blossoms that adorned the plants. Each okra blossom is a work of art, with delicate petals and a vibrant yellow center. These blossoms attracted their own set of pollinators, ensuring that my okra crop would yield a bountiful harvest in the coming weeks.