La Vie En Rose
Thank you to Edith Piaf for this wonderful title. Translated, the words mean looking at life with rose coloured glasses or finding the beauty in all life. I thought this an apt title for my collection of thoughts, observations and knowledge brought together as my own personal garden journal.
Western Wallflowers and Iris
I believe spring has officially arrived in the low desert. Last week the temperatures soared to the upper 80’s and even lower 90’s and this unseasonably warm weather was most unwelcome. I am and never will be a fan of hot weather and I am already dreading the arrival of summer. Still, the weather is perfect right now and I shall endeavor to enjoy it.
I planted some strawberries in late autumn. I considered this my third and final attempt. I have learned the many different ways of how NOT to grow strawberries in the desert and I have been hoping I could find a way that worked. I think I found it. According to what I read, it is best to plant in mid to late autumn in hot climates. I chose some ever-bearing varieties and planted them on a mound where I had grown some Gregg’s Mist Flowers last summer. They held their own throughout autumn and winter which was a good sign in itself. During one of my previous attempts, the plants died immediately. This was due to planting in June and not providing the right conditions. I was finally able to get some fruit from these plants so I consider this third attempt a success.
Growing between the strawberries, a variety of seedlings began to emerge. I soon realized most were weeds but there were two plants which intrigued me. The foliage was reminiscent of the wall flowers I had grown with the mist flowers last year. Once they faded, I actually tore them out. I knew they had gone to seed and the hopes of them reseeding themselves in my garden seemed too optimistic. So, when I saw these seedlings, I very much hoped they truly were the western wall flowers. I watered them and cared for them and all the while thought how ridiculous I would seem if I was pampering some weeds.
A couple weeks ago, we made a trip to Tohono Chul for some breakfast and the wall flowers were already blooming. I studied the foliage intently. It was a VERY close match to what was growing in my garden and two days later the plants in my garden provided blooms. I was ecstatic to bury my nose into those beautiful, small yellow flowers. Russ at Tohono Chul told me they would reseed. I should have had more faith in him. He is after all a very wise and knowledgeable man.
Also sprouting among the strawberries are some nemesia seedlings which also self seeded from last year. I love the small purple blooms on this particular variety.
Perhaps the most exciting development in the garden is that the iris will soon bloom! This is a true testament to being a patient gardener. I was sitting in the lounger gazing outside which I often do and I exclaimed NO WAY! I ran outside and nearly leapt for joy at the site of the emerging buds. I have had these plants for two years and I am pleased to finally have some blooms. I believe feeding them a few weeks ago was the key to prompt the bloom. Regardless, I am pleased and look forward to finding out if they have that sweet iris fragrance I love so dearly.
Bracing For the Worst
When it is 80 degrees outside, one may be forgiven for catching spring fever and tending to the garden accordingly. Despite the fact our last frost date is not until the middle of March, I trimmed, planted, fertilized and performed all the duties required when preparing the garden for a proliferation of new growth commonly associated with spring.
Well . . . . I have learned quite a lesson.
I check the weather regularly via the NOAA website and when it indicated storms were headed our way and along with it colder temperatures and nighttime lows possible dipping below freezing, I thought this must be an error. Again, it was 80 degrees outside when I was looking at this ominous forecast.
I tuned into the nightly weather report and the weather channel and the theme was constant across the board. A cold front was on its way and along with it freezing temperatures at night and there was even a possibility of snow!
I knew sometimes weather patterns can change and I hoped the rain would come but that my garden would be spared the freezing temperatures. Well, it turns out I was in luck.
As you can see by the table below, we were enjoying some lovely (though above average) temperatures the 5th to the 7th and then the cold front moved in which changed everything. I knew we would be okay over the weekend but I was particularly worried about the beginning of the week. Each day I checked and at first, the predicted low was 29 for Tuesday the 10th and not much higher for the 11th. It did get very cold those two nights but thankfully not as cold as anticipated. There was some patchy frost Wednesday morning but nothing too severe. Overall, everything faired quite well. The strawberries are still intact and should ripen any day now, the seedlings in the flowerbed are all doing fine as are the buds on the bushes.
This is definitely a lesson learned. There are reasons there are planting timetables and I intend to follow them next year. Gardening in the desert is a challenge due to the extreme highs of the summer and in the winter, it is easy to be fooled by the mild temperatures. The urge to plant is overwhelming when the mercury rises to a comfortable 70+ degrees. Thankfully, there are winter plants (make this a pop-up box that has a list of plants leading to the plant guide) that can be planted without much worry but when it comes to plants that are meant for spring, it is best to pay attention and plant at the right time.
As an aside, when we do get frost, it can be quite beautiful in its own unique way as you can see by the images below:
Planting Seeds and Harvesting Carrots
When so much time goes by and I have failed to write a journal entry, it is a bit embarrassing to come back to it and write something. So much has gone on and my memory surely won’t remember the details of all that has been happening in the garden. Then again, there really hasn’t been much. Like the journal, the garden itself has been rather neglected.
I had two long weekends for Christmas and New Year and I am pleased I completed at least one of the many projects I have in mind for the garden. The flower bed has been assembled in all its glory by mounding quality soil and raking and tilling it into the existing soil underneath. This was done on Saturday, January 3rd. The morning started out with a drizzle which lead to a nice bit of rain so this was the perfect opportunity to get the seeds planted in hopes of preventing the birds from making a treat out of them.
For the most part, there was no rhyme or reason to how I planted the seeds. The only organized planting was the sweet peas by the trellises and the Kiss-Me-Over-The-Garden-Gate on the left hand side at the back of the bed. Other than that, I spread the seeds around, here there and everywhere – particularly the poppy seeds. Soon, I will provide a link to all I planted.
The weather has been funny during the month of January. It has been mild for the most part. There have been some nights which bordered near freezing but for the most part it has been mild. I pray this is not an indication of a warmer than usual summer. Due to the mild temperatures, the seeds in the new flower bed have begun sprouting en masse. It is wonderful to see and an absolute joy. I love the little round leaves of the nasturtiums. I am looking forward to photographing not only the individual flowers but the flower bed as a whole. It should be beautiful!
On Sunday, January 25th, I harvested the carrots. Overall, I am pleased with the crop. I did take a video of it but I don't thik I spoke loud enough so it may or not be posted on the site. If so, I will provide a link. At any rate, here is a writen report.
I would consider my efforts to grow some carrots a success. I only had a handful of fully grown, robust carrots. I believe I know the reason why. I did NOT follow the instructions on the seed packet. I did not space out enough and as a result many of the carrots grew too close together and were very small. Too small to even be bothered with in most instances. That's okay. It's a learning experience. I took plenty out of the ground to enjoy and that pleases me.
The peas are doing wonderfully as well. They have flowered and there are about three dozen pods which should be swollen enough to harvest any day now.
I have turned the soil where the carrots were and I will be planting some potatoes from seed this weekend. I hope to have that crop harvested in time to get some tomatoes started. Overall, I am well on my way to take more home grown vegetables from my bit of earth.
Just Another Ordinary Miracle Today
I originally thought I would title this entry Perpetual Spring. That is the feeling in the air at the moment. The breeze is gentle and cool; the honeysuckles entice a multitude of bees; blooms abound in every corner and crevice. If one must endure incredibly hot summers, this weather is most certainly a just reward.
This is the view from my lounger:
A black and yellow swallowtail flutters among the lantana along with another species I cannot readily identify. A gold finch clings to a honeysuckle branch possibly feeding on insects though I have read they are mostly herbivorous so perhaps there is a seed or something the bird has found. Two cactus wrens are darting about. They are my favorite visitors. Their animated movements and intent searching for food is a joy to watch. One is currently under the potato bush picking at something I hope is a selection of bugs. Actually I think it is indeed bugs. The area in which it is picking is where I just moved a pot of asparagus fern further back under the bush to protect it from the sun. When moving it, there was a plethora of bugs. Bon Appetite!
Though relaxing now, I have accomplished much today Cleaning and tidying is an ongoing chore that has such rewards when done. I love looking out at the swept patio after the dead leaves, branches and dirt have been picked up. The potted dalea (I really should consider moving this to the ground. It would be much happier) is now trimmed as is part of the coral wreath vine. It won’t be long before I trim the coral wreath vine all the way down. It is already starting to fade. I also cut the left honeysuckle back quite a bit to reveal some nice ground for planting. I will most likely move the plant in the middle bed there. I wish I knew the name of this plant. If it would bloom I could find out. I was under the impression it was a buddleia but it has no upright habit at all and seems to be more of a ground cover.
On Tuesday the 28th, I filled the whisky barrel I took down from the top ledge with a fine mix of seeds and bulbs. In the back are two large amaryllis bulbs and intermixed between them is large vintage stock and then another row of smaller stock with ranunculus in the front. Already today, I have noticed little sprouts. I am thinking it may be the stock. I planted some in the bottom ledge near the bird of paradise and I see sprouts there too. That is amazingly fast germination! I shall look forward to the bloom.
Above me now is a hummingbird drinking the fresh nectar I put in the feeder. I said the wren was my favorite desert bird. I think actually there is a tie for favorite. The hummingbird is amazing. There is so much in the garden to feed these little wonders of nature. The transplanted autumn sage is blooming profusely as are the salvia coccinea and the flame acanthus.
With all that is new I am sad to lose some plants of old. The Sheila’s Perfume rose has been removed. The canes did start to have new leaf buds but they were dry and brittle. It saddens me to lose this rose but there is a part of me which is glad it is gone. Roses do require a lot of work. There always seems to be some sort of worry with roses – aphids, mites, fungal diseases, feeding and the list goes on. I would rather focus my energies elsewhere.
I purchased a variety of alyssum yesterday and I planted some in various areas. The fragrance is exquisite. Speaking of fragrance, I discovered the bee bush has a subtle sweet aroma and I am pleased I removed the ruellia near it so it can continue to thrive.
I may have peas and carrots by Christmas! After about a week, both the peas and carrots sprouted and so far all is well. The carrots have their true leaves and I shall anxiously keep track of their progress.
It has been a perfect Sunday. I wish all days could be like this.
Celebrating "Go Live" Day (12 October 2008)
Before I share with you my thoughts for this journal entry, I would like to share a montage of some of the images I have captured over the years. When I am not planting, writing or reading about flowers, I am photographing them. I put together this little video to highlight my travels and the photos I have taken over the past several years. Enjoy!
A Time To Sow
The weather has been glorious the last couple days. A cold front moved in and our temperatures dipped to the 40's at night and 70's by day. Further north in Flagstaff and Denver, it snowed. Winter is on its way and none too soon.
I have been meaning to plant the winter vegetables for a few weeks now. With this cool weather, I realize I best not wait any longer if I want to harvest any vegetables before we get a frost.
I added a bag of black gold soil to the main vegetable bed and worked it in. This will provide a good texture and using the cultivator I purchased from High Country Gardens, I was able to break the soil up nicely and hopefully it is exactly what the vegetables need to grow successfully.
I planted Bolero Nantes carrots purchased from Renee's Garden and Wando Shelling Peas purchased from Botanical Interests Inc.
The carrots indicate 70 days to harvest. We typically don't get a hard frost until January so all being well, we should be eating carrots from the garden at Christmas.
The information on the pea packet was most encouraging: Though the numer of days to harvest is the same, the packet indicated because I live in zone 9, I can plant in winter so if we do get an unexpected freeze I should be okay.
It is worth noting I planted the strawberries a couple weeks ago.
A rabbit, frog, owls & giant grasshoppers!
The last few days in the garden have been very exciting. Last Thursday when watering the lantana something furry shot out of the way of the water spray. Praying it wasn't a pack rat, I went to investigate. It was a baby rabbit! I managed to scoop it up and I kicked the sliding glass door to get the attention of my wife so I could show her my prize.
"What is it!" My wife would not even open the door until I assured her it wasn't dead or something awful. It's a baby rabbit. The next thing she asked in a very worried voice was if I was going to kill it. No, of course not. It's just a little bunny. I asked her to get the camera and she did. It was dark and because I didn't want it to hop out of the palm of my hand, I walked her though setting my DSLR camera up. Unfortunately she put the compact flash card in the wrong way and a few bent pins later, I didn't get any pictures of the baby rabbit. That's okay.
I opted to put the rabbit in an orange Home Depot bucket in the hopes I could figure out a way to get the camera to work in the morning. At that very moment, I heard the cry of an owl coming directly from the eucalyptus tree in my neighbors garden. Unfortunately I live in a subdivision so this tree may as well be in MY garden. It is close enough. I thought the owl was after the rabbit so I covered the bucket with some sweet potato vines that have gone rampant near our bedroom window.
I still had work to do outside so I left the bunny and suddenly there was some commotion in the tree. The owl was not interested in my little rabbit after all, it was trying to attract its mate! Now there were two great horned owls and I was very excited to have had their company even for that brief moment (I haven't seen them sense). I would love it if owls made their home near my garden. I have A LOT of critters running about and I dread some of them are pack rats.
As I continued my work, I saw something jump into the cinnamon basil. Upon closer examination, I discovered a giant grasshopper. I captured this monstrostiy of a garden pest, brought its life to an end and placed it in a terra cotta plant saucer. It surely made for a delicious midnight snack for one of the many animals roaming my garden at night.
