7/2/09

Mid-year garden

We're half-way to 2010! Practically speaking, summer still has a long way to go (October in California), but I have to start thinking about winter vegetables next month. Yikes!

Meanwhile, the garden is a hot mess.

hot mess

As I become a more confident gardener, I'm less inclined to make big changes in the middle of the year as I have in previous years.

hot mess

Let it be, I say.

hot mess

If I was going to make a change, I would have to say I don't think the Digitalis ferruginea is working with the Fuchsia boliviana alba. Next year, I'm going back to the regular old Digitalis purpurea.

hot mess

July is when the tomatoes really take off. Soon their stems will climb over the chamomile. And the sunflowers will tower over the tomatoes, and that will be fun.

hot mess

The runner beans have flowers but no beans yet.

hot mess

The Vitis californica 'Roger's Red' is one of my most favorite plants in the garden. I'm letting it go this year more than I have before. Usually I prune it lightly throughout the summer. This year, I'm letting it engulf its neighbors.

hot mess

Just like Cobaea scandens engulfs the deck. I gave the top parts a hard pruning, and now the lower parts are a jungly mess.

hot mess

Most of my lilies aren't doing so well this year, but this one is fine. I think the others are suffering from root competition and thirst.

hot mess

I'm going to make dill a priority from now on.

hot mess

And this is why:

hot mess

7 comments:

Karen - An Artists Garden said...

Dill is just so fabulous - and your caterpillar even more so!
K

islandgardener said...

Your garden is so lovely and lush!

Michelle said...

I always love to take the "tour" of your garden, you have such an incredible number of lovely plants packed in there. Cute bird house. Amazing caterpillars.

Christopher C. NC said...

My pole beans are loaded with flowers and just now beginning to make beans. A lot of bloom was for nary a bean. Last year the butterflies were all over them and it is strangely pollinator quiet this year. Plenty grashoppers though.

I bet you have to walk the paths very carefully now.

chuck b. said...

You are correct! Also, my body has a muscle memory of where to duck and twist and turn...so I get through parts of it pretty quick without having to think about it much.

anna maria said...

It's beautiful and amazing! We live in the same city, but we may as well be on different planets.

Even the Cobea Scandens, which grew like mad and scared people when I had it in my plot in the Marina community garden, and the Passion Flower vine just fizzled out here in the Richmond.

What really does well out here are Nasturtiums, Geraniums, Salvias, Lavender and Oregano. They're better than nothing. Way better.

chuck b. said...

You can't grow everything they have in the Botanical Garden? :)