NIGHT LIGHTS at the Gardens: February 4th, 2014

Just before the latest round of snow hit my world, I was able to make it to Photographer Night at NIGHT LIGHTS at the Gardens, a very cool display hosted by the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. This is the fourth year for NIGHT LIGHTS, and my second year attending.

The coolest place to take pictures by far is the Palm Dome, the center of the Gardens. The lighting used on the palms creates an almost abstract art feel – it would be difficult to determine you were looking at palms.

Something else that looked really cool: topiary T Rex. He was bathed in red lights and his red eyes were glowing something nasty!

Here are a few more photos from the night…the calm before the latest storm!

all photos: paulathompsonfreelance.com

Planning the garden 2014: Vegetables

My veggie garden in early July 2013

2013 was the first year I had an “actual” vegetable garden – not a little piece of another garden where I stuffed a tomato plant and a couple rows of beans, but an actual designated space for planting tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash and more. I bought a four-section “polywood” raised bed garden from Sam’s Club, and proceeded to have all kinds of fun.

This is Poquito - cute, huh?

What worked? My cherry tomato plant, “Sweet 100” from HiWay Gardens, went crazy – well over 400 little red beauties (I kept track when I harvested because I’m crazy that way). Did well on beans too (those were for Dad), and was surprised at how well I did with a cute little Zucchini called Poquito – and by the fact that I actually liked zucchini! (When mixed with chocolate chips or lemon in bread form, of course!)

What didn’t work? On-Deck corn, which was supposed to grow in containers and small spaces – didn’t work well for me in either. I also tried planting a second season of beans – that one I was a couple of weeks late on (another reason I write things down!).

What’s up for 2014? Poquito’s coming back, and I’ll probably stick with the same tomato and pepper plants from HiWay that I used last year. I’ve purchased cucumber, bean and lettuce seeds, and some new strawberry shoots (I think mine are about 10 years old!). I also bought a blueberry bush - this year’s experiment!

photos: paulathompsonfreelance.com.