Garden And Current Events

This is the first Daylily to open this season . And there are about three spikes on the plant .  It is planted on the other side of the house from the White Garden where the soil has not been improved very much . So , I am so happy it is looking this good . When I think of how hard I have worked to get my garden soil improved it makes me happy to get any blossoms . Oh , the memories of when I had wonderful garden soil where I lived .  Especially, many years ago at the home we built . The soil was so fertile and fabulous .  I certainly did not have to work very hard to have a lovely flourishing garden . As I have said in the past, most of my neighbors have had truck loads of soil brought in because the ground is hard clay with a lot of rocks . I was never able to get better soil other than what I could buy (2 or 3 cubic foot bags) occasionally - but I still have A Garden !  And , I don't have a sprinkler system - but I still have A Garden !

I have always enjoyed Daylilies, maybe because there is always a new beginning as each blossom emerges quickly in sequence day after day and then it's gone . Throughout the garden I have about 24 different species , everyone with it's very distinct personality ! Because of the poor soil they have never grown into nice large clumps of bursts of color . But , I don't think there ever has been a year that each and everyone of them has not bloomed even if it is just one spike . As they unfurl their petals I will take a photo so I can share everyone of them with you .

This is how so much of my garden soil looks like even though I spent a lot of time working on it .

However , these White Daylies are nice and large as they sit in the White Garden where the garden soil is so much better ! Look at all those buds .

This plant is NOT what I said it is a few weeks ago .  It is ENGLISH LAVENDER !  Yep , I goofed and thought I was as I was preparing my post .  The voice in my head kept saying Lavender but I also was remembering a nursery tag that I have had for eons in my disorganized plant tags. The more I compared google photos of  Bowle's Mauve Erysimum (Wallflower) and English Lavender I am convinced it is Lavender . Regardless of the name , this particular species of Lavender is truly enjoyed . Probably , because it always blooms year after year .

Funny how things happen !!! I was at Lowe's Home Improvement and Garden Center today (more about that later) and side by side sat an English Lavender and a Bowle's Erysimum . What are the chances of that happening ? Especially , since I was just commenting on the plant in my garden ! It was certainly easy to compare one to another , if I had any doubts !

This - - - - - - - - - - 

finally has become this .

In the past I had a nice small power rototiller . However, my daughter borrowed it long ago and that was the last of it !

Following a tremendous amount of work digging out roots and turning the soil , I have planted some tomatoes and squash .  I also planted some marigolds . Reportedly , they attract beneficial insects , such as ladybugs , hover flies and parasitic mini-wasps that prey on garden pests .  I hope there will be enough sun for my little veggies to grow . I am not sure if it will get six hours a day .

Can you see how nicely the shrubs on the outside of the fence are growing after being cut down to the ground in October 2018 ?  I miss my privacy !

As I commented above , I went to Lowe's this morning after my six month follow-up doctor's appointment at the Cancer Center .  The information from the doctor was wonderful and he was exceptionally pleasant !!! More on that next time .

And, some comments on this photo from our morning newspaper of the Stanislaus River in our rural county a few miles (about 20) from here . Point of interest is that I cross the Stanislaus River (as I did this morning) to shop and attend my doctor's appointments.  I am tired and it will be interesting to hear the story of how and why someone ventured that far out (to Yea Hoo Gulch) into the forest to make the statement . Years ago (over 20 years ago) when I was younger and more adventurous and curious about what was over the next hill and around the next corner I drove out to this location with a city friend who was visiting me .  The river and the surrounding area is very scenic and quite isolated .

Stanislaus River

Yea Hoo Gulch

Until next time , Stay Safe and Stay Well .

Mary