July turns to August

I'm ba-a-a-a-a-ck... It's hard maintaining a blog, I tell you. And the more you procrastinate, the harder it gets. Embedded here is a slideshow of pics spanning the month of July into August. The flea market plant stands referenced in the slideshow are cast iron pieces we bought at the flea market in Rowley -- two aquarium stands, and a grate and a griddle.



And the reason I post now? I'm on vacation, so have found a moment and the energy to do this. Anyone out there interested in some daylilies? We really need to divide them this year, and I don't really have a place to plant the divisions so take your pick... (pos. 1 & 3 no longer in bloom). First come, first serve:

Pimm's and fava beans

With borage in full leaf, Pimm's season can now commence (though one can cheat and start drinking Pimm's Cup before the borage is out...). Very refreshing during this muggy weekend. Saturday did some much overdue deadheading and planted some larkspur seedlings. On Sunday weeded cutting flower bed and finished mulching some of the bare spots; installed some plant supports; nearly passed out from the heat and humidity. Greg seeded some late crops (collards, etc.). Greg thought the favas were ready to harvest, but after having resolved to harvest and build a meal around them (and some escararole), there weren't really as many mature pods as initially thought. We forged ahead and supplemented the favas with peas. All turned out well and we had a delicious meal. Lettuce heads are fully formed and cut and come again is beginning to bolt -- hard to keep up with some crops!

Here's a limited slideshow.


Phototaking is something I'm also behind on. What photos are missing? The red Shakespeare roses in full bloom complemented by the lavender. The pink Geoff Hamilton roses in full bloom complemented by the Siberian iris (and the delicate cloud of blue creeping veronica flowers that preceded them). Brilliant blue delphinium bouquets. The vegetables' progress.

Zinnias, sweet peas, cosmos and larkspurs starting to bloom. Not enough for big bouquets yet though.

More on Pimm's.

Spring photos

Finally, am updating this blog with some photos. (Click on the slideshow/photos and you will go to Picasa and see the slideshow in a larger size.)

Rainy sunday

Yesterday was beautiful and we spent the active part of the day weeding the vegetable garden. I finally got around to mulching the herb section -- what a mess it was, but now it's tidy. Today we awoke to heavy rain; we were supposed to weed the shrub and flower beds. My vote is to have Strawberry Hill (our lawn service) do it.

Last weekend we had to go to New Jersey because Greg's brother Ron had bypass surgery. The weather here and there was quite hot (high 90s) and the peonies pretty much peaked this week; not much left. Last Friday I brought enough with me to NJ for two big, gorgeous bouquets. This past Monday I brought a big bunch to work and have rotated through a few bouquets in the house. God I love peonies. Also Siberian iris have pretty much peaked. So gorgeous. Asparagus season is over. Got some peas at Volante farms yesterday; delicious cooked simply with butter, salt, white pepper and some windowsill chervil.

The roses are blooming like crazy. They'll probably keep going at least a week or two more. Plants in the cutting flower garden are doing well, though the Teddy Bear sunflowers are down to about 1-2, and some sort of disease got one of the delphinum.

I have tons of photos but haven't had time to download, upload, caption, arrange, etc. Hope to get to that this week (mabye).

First Peony Harvest

It's been really busy lately, didn't get to do much gardening last weekend. However, couldn't resist sharing the first peony harvest of the season. Here they are with a couple of Siberian Iris.

Memorial Day Weekend

The gardener's busiest weekend of the year. Spectacular weather. Yesterday, helped Greg install a new cornstarch-based solar "mulch" and planted out his tomatoes (10), cucumbers, peppers (28!), broccoli, lettuce, eggplant seedlings. The mulch will last about 3 months. Also planted my cosmos, teddy bear sunflowers, and store-bought snapdragons and replacement alchemilla (Lady's Mantle). Today planted some plants that had been bought/delivered a while ago (tricyrtis, anemone, rose campion); repotted the bay (my theory is leaves turning brown due not to disease or insects but being rootbound); potted leftover eggplant seedlings; lobelia and calibrachoa that we bought today. Sprayed roses, baptisia and yarrow with Pyola. Tomorrow, hope to tackle the agapanthus and impatiens.

Last night Greg made some really delicious cream of asparagus soup -- really simple, sauteed leeks, chicken stock, asparagus, salt, pepper, a touch of creme fraiche, pureed. He made this soup last week (also quite good), but the flavor was more intense this time, in part due to the asparagus, in part due perhaps due to the leeks.

Struggling along with a bruised shin/ankle obtained Thursday night (run in with the tub, sleep walking perhaps?).

Daffodils & Asparagus

What is up with the Daffodils in my yard? This particular clump is blooming well but...

Other clumps are kind of pathetic; weak sprouts, few blooms. We've planted several daffodils since moving here, and in years 2-3 following initial planting, they seem to kind of crap out. I need to research this. Too much mulch? Some kind of subterranean bug? It's not the deer or rabbits.

Accomplished a lot this weekend and last. Planted out larkspur and sweet pea seedlings (direct sowed additional larkspur last weekend, including Sydney Blue Picotee seed purchased to replace the plants sold by Parks). Planted dahlias last weekend (0rdered new tubers from Swan's). Weeded cutting flower bed and mulched seedlings and young perennials with Mainely Mulch. Put soaker hose irrigation systems in veg and flower gardens. Sprayed vulnerable plants with copper soap and deer repellent. Thinned phlox to reduce mildew. Bought a rose (Falstaff) to replace one of the pathetic tree peonies. Still so much to do! Delicate balance between enjoying the work and doing everything that needs to be done; gardening is peaceful and fulfilling but can easily tip toward feeling stressed out about not getting key tasks done in time. Too tired to do the copper spray and deer repellent? Then you'll be crying when your peonies rot or the deer devour your tender plants and rosebuds.

First meal-size portion asparagus harvest of the year tonight. This is what it's all about!