garden update: year two!

Our little plot is in its second year. Some old friends are settling in and new faces have appeared. I'll get into more detail in a future post, but here's generally what's doing.

:: OLD FRIENDS ::

blueberries | I moved the two plants out of containers and into the ground.
they like it, along with some coffee fertilizer.
lots more blossoms, clusters and (hopefully) fruit.
hope some of it makes it inside the house.

cavolo nero | kale, I heart you.
so much so that I re-planted you twice this winter/spring.
damn you slugs.

'windsor' fava beans | making baby beans

'alpine' strawberries | they may be tiny but are they good.
and, unlike regular strawberries, they give fruit all year long.

leafy bed | kale, 'sea of red' lettuce, rapini, chard, tiny dill seedlings

'laxton's progress' peas on branches | we had to remove an old plum tree
from our yard, but I kept all the branch trimmings for exactly this.
i love this look.

plum branches | thank you, old tree

leafy bed | more peas, too

the big bed | fava, shallots, garlic and (more) peas

'ashmead's kernel' apple espalier | first tier in place
I'm going with a slightly bowed shape (palmette?)
I think it's pretty graceful.

'ashmead's kernel' apple espalier | second tier starting to sprout

:: NEW FACES ::

lisbon lemon | nice and tart, like i like 'em

potato box (1 of 2) | either 'yukon gold' or 'red pontiac'
i haven't labeled much this year! yikes.

rustic arugula | very nutty and peppery

even more peas! | I decided 3 pea plots weren't enough.
soooo... i'm testing out a new space above the patio with
some blue-podded beauties. obvs., we like peas.

'wine country mesclun' | so pretty

perennial herb strip | 40 or so feet of new plants:
various lavenders, thymes, mint, scented geranium, sage & curry plant.
we have really clay soil, so all 11 spaces had to be dug out (ouch)
and amended liberally. it's the year of digging.

oh but aren't they pretty | digging, what digging

curry plant | silvery needle leaves and they taste like... yup, curry

new climbing rose | 'gloire de dijon'
i randomly saw a picture of this rose once, bookmarked it,
then finally found a grower who sells them. not easy.
to me, the petals look like gathers and folds of soft fabric... it just slays me.
smells heavenly too.
hopefully someday our back deck rail will be smothered.

:: NEW PROJECTS ::

the big dig | since Kim asked for it, here's a 'before'
actually it's a 'during': what I dug out today.
(inspiration here)
you'll get your full 'before' soon, Kim!
it's delightfully heinous :)