02-22-2018 Technically...not Spring yet!

In spite of the 60s and 70s for this whole week and a minimum of 62°F last night (really????)

Of course, this does not quite make up for our coldest consecutive 158 hours of freezing, a record for us. (I know, I hear some sarcasm from up North!)

Some of the veggies did not appreciate those really cold temps but the (protected) kale, escarole and spinach came out OK but weeks behind schedule.

Bees are super happy with that "heat wave' and moving in all the pollen they can find.

The red circle might help spot the pollen on their hind legs.

Even my reading area is getting a Spring makeover:

Dutch Iris

Quince

07-22-2017 Hot, hot and dry!

I have had to reduce my time spent working in the garden; by 10:30--11:00, it's time to quit and get a little cooler.

It is so hot that my cucumbers have quit blooming (no bloom, no fruit) and some of my bees have been "bearding" , hanging out outside the hive because the inside gets too stuffy.

 Tomatoes, on the other hand, are happy as can be as long as I water them and banana peppers are producing well.

Cherry Roma, one of the best!

As far as rain goes, just about everyday we are surrounded by lines of storms but we have been spared...or cursed with little actual rain on our patch. Combined with high heat, lack of rain can be mortal.

We still have been able to enjoy some pretty flowers but, as we progress into that wall of fire, soon only the toughest will survive. that's when things will, again, get rough for the bees since they will be little or no nectar.

The good thing is that gardeners really live in the future, planning for things down the road and the future is cooler...just another 8 weeks to go before we put a damper on that oven. I have started planning the fall and winter crops.

Asian pear

Future melon

Burgundy okra.

Artichoke flower.

06-10-2017 A couple of cool nights.

We have been lucky with a couple of cool nights and low humidity days, always something to appreciate around here in June.