Sunday, June 30, 2013

June Highlights

I believe we have experienced the most beautiful June can I remember. I haven't had to water any except for when I planted a veggie garden, I did water-in those plants.
The roses I planted a year ago to grow over this tall arbor has begun to intertwine at the top. I sure hope they continue to mingle. EDIT: these roses have been in the ground for more than a year. Time does fly. The white one 'White Dawn' has only been in the ground since summer of 2011. I don't know the name of the red one. It used to be a coral color but has reverted.
This clematis (above photo) has been on this trellis for several years but has refused to go much higher than the first rung near the top. All of the rain has encouraged it up and over. 
The hydrangeas have been thrilled with the rain. The poor climbing hydrangea that almost died in the drought last year has responded to the moisture by blooming and making up for the die back.
We went on a two week vacation at the beginning of June. I almost missed the iris blooming. 
Luckily there were a few still blooming when we returned. 
The iris below is a bit of a disappointment in that when I bought it I was under the impression that it would be pink. Ha... Not so. Just a blush of pin in the middle. I forgive it though because it is so pretty. 
The mock orange has bloomed up a storm. Aaahhhh if I could only bottle that fragrance. 
The bees are buzzing with delight at the monarda beginning to bloom. 
The hummingbirds love the crocosmia as much as I do. 
Daylilies are blooming up a storm now too. I don't have any of the newer fancy daylilies. 
These old war horses brighten the garden.  They still make me smile.
I have a lot to look forward to next month. The blackberries are loaded. MMmmmm. I can almost taste the jam.
 Oh yes, I almost forgot. When we returned from vacation we found that a Chipmunk has moved into our garden. I am not so sure what I think of that yet.
I don't think the birds like it at all. More on this cute little seed stealing, egg robbing critter later.
I hope your June was as delightful as mine. Happy gardening



Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Veggies Anyone?

It has been twenty years or longer since I have had a vegetable garden.  St Fiacre has stood in this corner of the garden for several years wanting a job.He should be pleased overseeing the veggie garden.

Now all of you veteran veggie gardeners when you scroll down to see what I have been up to don't laugh. This is my version of a veggie garden. I don't have very much full sun however in this corner of the garden is where I chose to try a veggie garden, it has almost all day sun.

One of the things that got me started on this venture was the pot of herbs sitting on bricks right in front of this space. I didn't want the pot sitting out there all by itself. Besides my basil needed tomatoes to go with.
As you can see I layed out layers of sunflower seed bags as a weed deterrent. This also gave me the size for my veggie bed. It turned out to be about 4'x9'. 
If you look in the back right corner you can see my tiny compost pile peeking out. I think I will be turning it more often what with my having to check on the veggies now. 
 I turned and pulled out a lot of the weeds and grass. My DB came out after his nap and helped me finished turning.
Then I lined the bed with bricks we had laying around.  
I couldn't wait to get some plants. I dashed off to the market and got a big tomato, grape tomatoes, summer squash, cucumbers, bell peppers. I thought it a little late to try to raise onions. I put a few marigolds in the corners. I forget why you are to do that but they do lend a bit of color to the plot. 

 There is a big ole rosemary that survived the winter in a pot. I pulled it out and layed it by the compost pile and we went on vacation for a couple of weeks. I had forgotten all about it but when I was working on the veg bed it still looked viable so I stuck it in the front of the garden. It perked up right away.
A few days later and we got some mulch. I must say I am quite pleased with the way the veggies are growing. We have had an outstanding spring. Plenty of rain and cooler than normal temperatures. Thankfully nothing like the drought of last year. 
There are now flower buds on the bell peppers. I can't wait to show you my first veggies. Do you have any veggies in your garden?

New Blogger, Old Blogger

     All I can say it is difficult to deal with change. This new Blogger format is not as user friendly in my opinion. I guess I will get us...