One of the fun things about going out to the farmers’ market, nursery, or garden center is the mystery of what you would find. On one outing, a sage with variegated mutation was spotted. It was a plant that I had to have. I asked about the price and it was just around the price for a good burger with fries and a drink. I am glad it was not more because I may have gone for it regardless.

Mutations do not happen all the time and it is rare to me to find variegated mutation on garden sage. With the plant, I will definitely want to isolate out the mutation and propagate a new plant from it.

The second newest plant is a blood banana (musa zubrina). It is a dwarf (growing no taller than 8-feet) ornamental banana. This particular plant is one of the more healthier and nicer looking ones I have seen. I did not take it home right away.

It did not feel completely right that I would spend as much as a fruit tree for a plant that is mostly ornamental. After sleeping on it, I just went ahead and did it.

Banana plants have been lower on my list of plants to get. It seems that the fruit are relatively inexpensive. Lately, I have gotten the itch to get a banana plant. That from seeing my brother and others grow banana.

This banana is from wild dwarf bananas that are native to Sumatra, Indonesia.

Also in this video we will see Maiden of Orleans and Mysore Mulli jasmine flowers. (jasmine sambac).

Having a vested interest in dynamic accumulators (plants that mine minerals and nutrients from the soil), Russian Comfrey are being grown for that function. Two more popular strains are Docking #14 and Docking #4. With #14 being the most popular. Today, Docking #4 is going to be planted from root cuttings received via post.

In this episode, we well see the post-blossom end of a dragon fruit, compost piles in action, and learn a little bit about how galangal is being grown.

Russian Comfrey comes in many strains and the two more popular strains are ‘Bocking #14’ and ‘Bocking #4.’ In my interest of harvesting minerals with dynamic accumulators, these two strains are being tried. I am especially drawn to #4 because of their potential to reach as deep as 8 feet.

Surprisingly, comfrey is quite expensive. While they do spread, it can take upward to 3 years to establish. Definitely make friends with someone who has comfrey growing 😉

Growing these Japanese cucumber for the first time, it was a surprise to see how big they are. The seeds were from a Jardin Seeds heirloom seed library. It has been fun growing through the seed library.

The mimicry attribute of the praying mantis is not often talked about. In this video, we observe it using mimicry to stalk and hunt a house fly. The amount of patience practiced is reflected in the length in which it took the praying mantis to complete the hunt. The video picks up on a hunt that had already been in progress. The video records the hunt in its entirety. The mantis’ movements can be observed when the breeze moves the bramble.
To skip ahead, these are the interesting parts.
9:10 a strong breeze moves the bramble and the mantis finds the opportunity to move closer to the fly.
12:23 another breeze and another move closer.
13:01 another breeze, another move closer, and the final foot placement
14:47 the sun is setting. movement is now extension of body
23:40 with body extended and prey withing grasp, mantis makes the final grab.

Un-boxing the latest online order from Botanical Interests.

As a seed addict/hoarder, it is really difficult to resist the free shipping promos that run from time to time. See what heirloom seeds were ordered.

http://botanicalinterests.com
This video is not sponsored by Botanical Interests.

Fruits on the ‘Black Prince’ and ‘Italian Roma’ tomatoes along with the ‘Jalapeno’ and ‘Manganji’ peppers continue to form. Still waiting on the ‘Black Beauty’ and the other tomato varieties to form fruit.

Since the last update, a ‘Ping Ting’ eggplant was transplanted to the bed. The ‘Kuroda’ carrots were consume; and today a new crop of carrots will be sown. At the same time, the ‘Krishna’ tulsi (holy basil) are ready to be transplanted.

Come join us as I give a tour my front yard garden. This version of the garden is two years old. The landscape is premised on permaculture principles. Plants are grown for their ascetic appeal and their function. Read more at: https://www.neverenoughdirt.com/the-gardens/

If you’re like me and you feel like there is never enough dirt to grow your veggies and herbs, I hope this video inspires you to grow them as part of your front yard landscape.

2015 Elephant harvest video: https://youtu.be/9-ng88ECs5s