Holiday weekend approaching
Yesterdays post prompted several comments and questions via email concerning bitter melon. There are two members of the cucurbita family with the same common name. The one I had yesterday was 
–which is Citrullus colocynthis. The other one is 
Momordica charantia, also known as bitter melon, as well as bitter gourd, bitter squash or balsam-pear. I have actually seen it sold at some of the local farmers markets. It is a tropical and subtropical vine of the family Cucurbitaceae, widely grown in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean for its edible fruit, which is extremely bitter. Its many varieties differ substantially in the shape and bitterness of the fruit, but it is commonly used in some dishes.
Look what arrived in the mail yesterday evening: 
I will wait until it cools off before planting, and I am sharing some with a friend. I do love garlic! Right now I can substitute some garlic chives, which I have in abundance. 
I am back to watering like crazy, since my beds are all dry when I get home. I do have some purple berries finally on my young beautyberry 
and my vanilla strawberry hydrangeas have a little pink color. 
With water, the garden is looking pretty good.
In the Garden with Arkansas Extension Horticulture 
You may not know, Bob has grown garlic here (in abundance) for many years. We have learned to favor the flavor of the eastern block countries, like varieties named Romanian Red, Cheznek Red. Both are hardneck and last us nearly a year before starting to fade in flavor or want to grow. He is planning to plant again tomorrow. Good luck; we’ll try to save you a head when we see you. Romanian Red is our very favorite from Filaree Farms in WA.
I also love garlic and have grown it every year since I have been in Arkansas. 5-6 cloves yields enough for the whole winter!