garden friday | of plants and people

People, how long can perfect weather last? It's starting to spoil us.

Have a wonderful weekend & Happy Mamas Day to everyone.
xoxo

garden friday | big sunny-day round-up

the view from the deck off the bedrooms. oh, there are so many projects yet to be tackled, but I do love this yard.
It's very unruly this year, but it has possibility.

I love mornings like this past Friday's: sunny and happy. A quick, easy bagel breakfast with my guys, then I slip outside with still-damp shower hair for a little solo (well, plus kitty) time in the garden. Doesn't hurt that it's a beautiful, warm day. Sun-dried hair -- does it get much better?

With the alternating rain and sun (my favorite combo), there's a lot happening out back. Ready?

starting to fill in everywhere

peas & pablo. just look at those bedroom eyes. what a flirt.

the peas and their pretty white bonnets. I'm trying a new variety this year, 'Sabre' from good old Renee's. They're a pretty short, tidy variety, but I have to admit I'm kind of missing my tall, high-climbing Laxton's Progress and Tall Telephone.

greens bed: wee dino kale (remember this monster?), spinach & volunteer arugula

new anti-kitty screens for the spaces between asparagus rows. I love that sweet kitty, but lately he's made it his job to get in there and wreak havoc. Toby built these to order and I adore them. And him :)

Purple is the color of so many flowers, especially herb blooms. Have you noticed? I've inadvertently planted a very purple garden. I think bees must like purple, or see it very well.

pretty purple sage blossoms. I started all this sage from a couple microscopic seeds a couple years back.

purple rosemary blossoms.

as for juicy edibles... the alpines are going nuts lately. between Jacky and me, they don't last a day once they go red.

and the award for most forgiving plant goes to: 'prince consort' black currant. I kind of... forgot about this one in the garage for a while. It hung out in its shipping envelope for a loooong while. It happily sprouted a bit in the dark, and I finally planted it in the garden. Within about four days, it started growing like nuts. In possibly the most questionable spot in our yard (I read somewhere it just doesn't care). Go figure. Love plants like this!

pretty black currant blossoms

blueberries in the works

'hauer pippin' apple is getting its season started. it's my latest bloomer by far.

'bearss lime' blossoms

'lisbon lemon' blossoms

wee baby meyer lemons

our neighbor's energetic 'cecil brunner' climbing rose. such a pretty borrowed view.

more 'cecil brunner'

pretty, pretty 'cecil'

my own 'aromatherapy' rose. despite its somewhat tacky pink color, the scent is HEAVENLY. Today, I made homemade rosewater with two of these blooms.

'aromatherapy' rose

and, finally... from the files of the life and times of the youngest garden helper. in a recent fit of "I'm sick of being out here MOM!", he clipped off this succulent's ONLY flower spike (look how pretty last year's was!). I was bummed, but... he's three. To my surprise, the clever plant gave it another go. Flower Spike, take two!

Well, that's the haps from this garden! Hope you had a lovely, sunny, peaceful, plant-iful weekend.

garden friday | architectural interest

Take one totally random, ancient, concrete, weed-filled box... clear it out... chop up some wood... zip in a few screws... et voila!... kid heaven! Jacky is now supreme overlord of the garden. Thanks to Handy Daddy.

It's an incredibly gorgeous, warm (hot?) day out today, with forecasts for more of the same. So, this brief update is about as long as I can manage in front of the computer :) Hope your weekend is lovely!

garden friday | thunder and sun

On the morning news today, San Francisco's rainfall was at the top of the list, which never happens (thankfully, I guess). Nearly TWO inches in less than a day. Insane. Plus? A crazy, cracking thunderstorm that lasted for hours. They usually don't last long enough for me here in Northern California. I think my memories of San Diego's violent, seemingly house-splitting thunder are still really strong. And it seemed like there were thunderstorms there all the time. I guess I miss them. Guess I like 'em.

Today, the sun is out again. Project Playhouse is underway. The head builder and his apprentice are trying to co-exist with power tools and lumber long enough to get a big chunk of the structure complete today. Me, I bring tea and snacks and keep out of the way. I've already been put on notice that no girls (much less moms) will be admitted. Seriously, where do they learn this stuff? Is it tucked away in that Y chromosome? I just laugh. He's requested curtains, so I know I'll be admitted at least once :)

peas, trucks and chicken wire. a garden in transition.

apple blossoms. I just love them.

more 'Gravenstein' blossoms

the next row of salads. accompanied by the ever-present arugula volunteer. to think I almost bought arugula seeds this year!

borrowed beauty. every Spring, our neighbor's monster 'Cecil Brunner' rose blankets the fence with an avalanche of delicate pink blooms. it's almost time.

and what's this? oh, only one of my favorite non-edibles. if it flowers, i'll die happy.

Have a beautiful weekend!