purple shades

Just a few samples from the current color explosion in the garden. In bloom – tree peony, euphorbia, and fritillaria. Leafing out – red bud, japanese maple, smokebush, and japanese painted fern. Just lovely.

surprise snow

We woke up to snow this morning. It always seems to happen this time of year, but it still takes you aback The winter sweaters are almost packed away, and I was looking forward to spending my Sunday in the garden. The snow surprised the fruit trees as well. Their delicate blossoms, just starting to open, are covered and wet. I am hoping they are hardy enough to withstand the challenge.

Last weekend I planted two peach trees in the kitchen garden. They will eventually be espaliered, but I wanted to enjoy the pale pink blooms before I trim the branches. I also planted a new apple tree. This time far away from the black walnut tree that lives next door and who's roots spreads a nasty toxin that has crippled my other apple tree in the far corner of the garden. Spring will come. I know it.

buds and blooms

Somehow there is always something happening in the garden  even if I am not there to tend it. Spring is here. Buds are bursting and fresh green growth is peeking out. The rhubarb is growing vigorously, and the daphne and star magnolia are both in full bloom spreading their heavenly scent along the way. I now have a beautiful cold frame, almost a small greenhouse, in the kitchen garden and a wonderful new walkway leading to the front door (more about those two projects later). I am delighted that warmer weather has arrived!

july heat

100 degree days with no rain in sight. It is mighty miserable over here. I try to keep watering to a minimum, but it has to be done to stop things from wilting away. The kitchen garden is playing a waiting game. The tomato plants are happy and robust, but the tomatoes are still green, there are cucumbers on the vine, but still a bit too thin to harvest. Instead I ventured to the market this past weekend. Lots of goodies to be found there and lots of people too. The buy local movement is thriving in my little town.

a cheerful hibiscus among the weeds

I know this guy is a mean plant eater, but you have to marvel over nature

back from the market

june joy

The last few days have been absolutely perfect here in our little town. Temperatures are hovering around 80 F, humidity is low, and the sun is out. The garden is on its best behavior.

This is what happens when you repeatedly complain about not having enough peas.

Rhubarb and raspberry abundance.

A bit of garden whimsy, provided by my mom. We call him Boll, after a Swedish children's story.

Jumble of herbs and vigorous tomato plants = happiness.

surprise

All it took was a bit of whining. Yesterday I discovered that the peas are flowering after all. These beautiful pink and maroon blooms are slowly popping out and hopefully the pea pods will follow. I also have to share a few photos of the peonies. They are gorgeous right now, especially on a sunny morning after a quiet night of rain. Delightful.

mystery x 2

Another weekend filled with garden work is over. Everything is looking wonderful. The lush growth of roses, peonies, ferns, lettuce, herbs, and hydrangeas is currently overpowering the army of weeds lurking in the background.

I have two small garden mysteries to share. The first is the beautiful redbud tree that we planted in the fall of 2008. Last summer it was happy and healthy, blooming vigorously in the spring, leafing out nicely in the summer. I loved its nice shape and its place in the garden, near the "stump" bed in direct sight from the kitchen windows. This year, after a long and unusually cold and snowy winter it appeared to be dead. The promising buds on its branches dried out, and there was no sign of life until early April, when blooms first appeared on the trunk near the ground, followed by new shoots and healthy looking leaves along the trunk as well. The beautifully branched top part is still lifeless. So what to do? Do I cut the dead branches out hoping for the new growth to survive and take over?

Another mystery is this years crop of pod peas. Or I should say lack of crop. The peas were planted 4 weeks ago, and is growing energetically, almost overpowering their supports. But there are no flowers, and therefor no peas... This has never happened to me before. Granted I am sometimes a bit neglectful, and the spot where they grow is not in full sun, but not one single flower? I am puzzled. Right now I think it is the batch of peas that I planted that is defected.

If any of you have an answer or even a suggestion to fix these problems, I would welcome them warmly. More photos from the garden to come.