I thought I would change things up this week and start with an update on the veggie gardens. Everything seems to be enjoying the 30c degree weather, although it is a bit of a task each morning to get the watering done. I always have the company of both Copper and Amber on these excursions, and frequently Harley, Cowboy, and Indie. The biggest challenge is keeping the dogs from trampling “good plants” as they chase the sprinkler water. I try not to yell “Out of the garden” too loudly as I don’t think the neighbours would appreciate that as a wake up call. I’ll leave that duty to the local roosters.

It is rewarding to see the small tomatoes appearing, and I am sure that soon baby cucumbers, peas, and zuchinni will join in. A friend commented that gardening is a lot of work and dirty. I guess it may be from time to time, (more so when starting out), but mostly its about a slow and steady pace tending everything. I find that relaxing and love discovering new treasures each morning.

The cherry tomatoes have more than doubled in size

The fruit are starting to set on these – they like the heat of the deck (as long as I keep them well watered)

The winter squash are getting ready to run. I planted them in tomato bags this year to avoid competition with the weeds in that area. (lots of raspberry shoots)

One of the pumpkins

The watermelon are starting to do something

The upper tomato beds are looking great. Raised beds works really well up there on the hot rock

The spinish, chard, and lettuce are recovering from the bunny attacks – I how to have salad by this time next week

The peas are flowering

And the cucumbers are both starting to run and to flower. And this year they like the trellis (probably because I pplaned them o the proper side.

This is the first of three zuchinni – I know, foolish of me. But I will share 😉

The onions are starting to look like onions rather than simply green shoots

Here are some straggler sweet peas and vines. I didn’t have room for them on the first round of seeding.

Here are my “leftover” tomato seedlings. As I couldn’t find adoptive homes for them, I simply moved them int bigger pots and stuck them in front of the greenhouse. They don’t seem to be compaining (have started to flower)

The green basil is distributed many places, but this pot is in the very hot greenhouse and seems to be extremely pleased with life

The purple basil (also in the greenhouse) is finally looking healthier.

Speaking of new treasures, I have to share the gifts of the flower beds with you. For some reason, maybe the mild winter or wet spring, the blooms are fabulous this year. The peonies seemed to be early, and I am glad that I have varieties that bloom at different times (look for early or late on the plant tags and descriptions when you are shopping) as it extends the period of enjoyment. Peonies can be delicate is there is lots of heat, wind, and hard rains. If there is only one type it can be very disappointing to come out after a rainy stormy night to find everything blown down and bedraggled.

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I have to share with you that a wonderful thing is happening in the greenhouse. After four attempts at growing moon flowers, across a number of years, in different locations and yards, finally I see flowers coming on the greenhouse vies. I have never seen these flowers in person, but they are supposed to be very large white flowers that open at dusk and have a lovely fragrance. I’ll keep you posted on their progress.

The last plant I would like to highlight today is the oriental poppy – it is so delicate with its paper flowers and large centres, and the blooms don’t last for very long – but they are so lovely. They range from two to four or 5 five inches across, and come in amazing vibrant colours, some with plan edges, and others with frilled. The plant itself isn’t much to look at and often dies back once flowering is done, but the blooms and seed heads are definitely worth it.

Now I leave you for this week with a final collection of bits from around the yard and wishes of happy gardening adventures, and having time to enjoy.

The honesuckly vine has gone wild. I will be tying it up today with hopes of ttraining it toward the downspout.

Little bright spots under the roses. Versions of pinks – there are many types.

Ah, the verbena has started to flower. This one seems to like part shade.

Looking a bit wild, the lower day lily garden promises a wonderful show in a few weeks. The “big” plant is a happy hollyhock.

The zinnia are building flower heads.

Coming along in the greenhouse – beautiful and fragrant tropical that I don’t remember the name of at this second (help?)

The spillanthe flower – a wierd looking little eyeball, but neat.

The passion flower is well on it’s way

Here are some slips I dug form a lilac tree that is destined for removal. This way, with five “seedlings” it can be shared and planted in more convenient locations.

Another of the verbena – I thought I just had purple, but apparently not.

The annual poppies are starting. Once they have bloomed, they will begin to self seed for next year. I love these friendly little plants and they are welcome all over the gardens.

Still the columbine are blooming.

The giant mullien weed makes a great statement plant at the corner of the pumpkin bed.

St Francis is watching over and taking care of everything especially well this year.

The reincarnated apple trees. The trunk of the original was rotten so we had to cut it down (great firewood). These shoots came up, and will turn into wonderful trees in their own right.

A new plant I picked up the other day – it’s a type of succulent, hardy, and has red fuzzy flowers once it gets going.

Love this darker sedum and it seems to be settling in to the new garden well.

I love the light airiness of this plant, but don’t remember what it is called. The base looks like some sort of fern or wild carrot, but the flowers are fabulous.