06-11-2016 Heating up!

Just this last few days, we had a couple of gorgeous mornings in the 50s--pure Nirvana at this time of year!

By now, though, things are warming up with a possibility of reaching 100° tomorrow.

After two weeks of clouds and light rain, this week's sun has brought out the summer flowers in all their glory; bright colors are everywhere to be seen and appreciated.

A rose that was supposed to grow 3feet and is now closer to 30 feet high.

On the consumption level, bush beans have been amazing, blackberries abundant and, now, baby cukes and raspberries  are showing up. All we need is tomatoes...about another three weeks before we get the first one.

My new project has been to start constructing "no bend" raised beds bringing the planting surface to about 3 feet high or hip high, making it easier for my old bones to continue gardening well into my 100s. To quote my younger neighbor watching me sweating away building those robust beds (remember, they're supposed to outlast me!) :"Doesn't seem to be sparing you much right now!"

It'll take a little getting used to visually but, as soon as the wood ages, some, they should blend in nicely while bringing veggies closer to my heart...and sparing my poor knees.

Opening!

A bumble bee trespassing on a Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)

05-19-2016 back to the 60s!

Not the years, even though they were great ones for me and some others, but the 60s temperature wise. I do not recall having a whole week of such low temps so late in the year (I know, I know! Some will tell you that those who do remember the 60s did not really live them!)

No complaint on my part; I'd rather take this cool weather than an early hot/muggy spring any time. Next week will be a shock.
Interestingly enough, heat loving plants like tomatoes, eggplants and cucumbers seem to thrive in that cool, light rain Oregon weather.

I almost forgot that I have been eating home grown strawberries while my wife enjoyed the sugar peas:

Right now, things are going well, I am almost caught up with my spring weeding (No illusion here; you're never totally done with weeding but , at least, I can see my vegetables which I consider a good sign!)

After spending so many hours bending up and down, trying to ignore my knees screaming at me for excess wear/tear/pain, I am slowly focusing on the need to start some raised beds, something about 3 to 4 feet high that will allow me to keep taking care of my plants when my knees and my back get in full rebellion. Since my garden is in the front yard, I cannot just settle for cinder blocks out of respect for my neighbors.
 I have seen some models on line that have not fully convinced me. I have my own prototype rushing through my head at the most inopportune moments but I'll need to get a fully harvested bed before I can experiment, try the first one and see how it works out before getting full scale.

For the last two weeks I now have some new bees again, two hives that are acclimating to their new place, rain and cold but they seem to do fine for now. Not a good day to take a picture of them so here is an old one:

04-07-2016 Hot/cold!

I take advantage of the last clouds rolling in to catch up on my blog.

We've had some hot days, some great days and, 24 hours ago some frost that cause some, mainly esthetic, damage on my figs, bananas, canna lilies and pineapple sage.

Of this beautiful promise, only black leaves and fruit are now left. Heartbreaking but survivable!

This one, closer to the house and, therefore, better protected suffered absolutely no damage. They are about 20' apart.

We have one more frost to worry about and the should be out of danger and start planting warmer weather crops like my bush beans. I'll wait another couple of weeks before moving out my tomatoes, cukes and other melons.

Foxglove.

Who knew a simple onion could produce such a pretty and elaborate flower?

The last of my "alien" flowers a.k.a. epimedium or fairy wings.

Calanthe hardy orchid.

03-20-2016 First day of spring!

I figured today would be the perfect time to get us some fresh pictures to celebrate spring.

Well, it may be spring on the calendar but our usual weather roller coaster is diving again and it feels more like winter out here with a bare 40°, heavy clouds and no trace of the sun to be seen.

Fortunately, my plants are tougher than I am and don't let minor details get in their way. Here they are:

This one was taken  earlier as you can tell by the blue sky. I couldn't wrap up my post w/o a little sun.