Greetings from a bountiful garden that has transformed from the swamps into an oasis, albeit under smokey skies (wildfires in the nearby mountains), dust clouds (field tilling in the Valley, plus neighborhood street digging and repairs), along with a long duration heat wave. My garden devas and many insect pollinators have again done their magic!
Cleome and Echinacea, masking the now-dormant oriental poppies, backed by lavender and flanked by young nasturtium volunteers. Waiting to see if the late-planted Stargazer lilies will make any headway this year.
The winter and spring storms finally gave way to a dry summer earlier than expected, and the yard transformed into beautiful flowers and bountiful veggies. With rain lasting so long into May, and being on vacation for part of it, I didn’t get around to turning and amending soil until later in May, unsure whether the clay clumps would stymie seed germination. Decided to use transplant lettuces and kale, while seeding beets, beans, and radishes. It proved worthwhile as heat set in fairly quickly in June. It proved to be too late for good radishes, as they were quick to bolt.
We are still awaiting ripe tomatoes on very large plants, but just need to be patient; they are happy against the house wall, but don’t see much sun until after noon. The zucchinis are on high production mode, with little yellow crooknecks due any day. Out back in a barren spot, previously overgrown with weeds and blackberries, the spaghetti squash favorite is rambling along with several fruits of various sizes, and the miniature canteloupes are just starting to form.
Blueberry bushes have borne spectacularly this year; now quieting as a few late-ripening berries hang on. We had fun sharing quite a few of them. Now about to purchase a small chest freezer to store the rest.
Zinnias, lavender, echinacea, yarrow, and sage at play in the front yard “mounds”, now filling out nicely a year after planting into the old sweetgum stump-grinding residual.
If the lighting seems strange for some of the yard photos, you are not imagining it. The altered sunlight from haze and smoke lends to a more yellowed and eerie appearance. We hope for some onshore breezes to make their way inland soon, to help clear the air!
May all y/our gardens be bountiful and sources of delight for all types of Beings!
High Vibe Bounty 