The peas , though just starting, are not responding well to the heat. The vines are already turning brown . I get a good solid cup full daily---though most never make it to the house.
Carrots were another disaster. I purchased a 1/4 ounce of FRESH seed this year. The germination rate was lucky to be 5%. I am disappointed beyond belief. I'd try sowing more, but the sand is literally so hot right now, I'm afraid any seedlings would just burn off.
Mrs. Robin is patrolling the patch---picking at any that are even slightly ripe. Insert Expletive.
My compost pile Delphiniums. They were supposed to be a very dark purple. Obviously, they are not.
These sunflowers popped up from seeds that must have fallen last year. They are fully 5 foot tall already---much taller than the seeds I planted. Those are only 2 feet tall so far.
Poppy-Lauren's Grape. A prolific self sower and non-stop blooming machine!
I'll send seeds if you email me with a request for some --but make sure you plant them where you want them for eternity because they really spread.
I sat for about an hour and a half and cleaned strawberries this morning after going out to pick first thing BEFORE it got hot. I so wish we were within a decent distance of each other because I would be pickled tink to share with you! I was going to make jam with them today, but I've 'bout run out of time so I think I'll just mash this batch and freeze for smoothies.
ReplyDeleteEverything in your garden is ahead of mine. We, too, have wildflowers blooming that usually don't show their faces until August.
The second I saw your Lauren's Grape poppy I said, "OMG, I love that color!" I would absolutely LOVE to have some seeds. I wouldn't care if they spread all over the acreage!
I hope your berries are sweeter than our local berries this year. We tried them at two different times and they were pretty sour. In my area, it seems like strawberries just aren't as good as they used to be.
ReplyDeleteGoldenrod is an August bloomer here, too.
Strange year!
Mama Pea--I'll put them in the mail just as soon as they're "mature". But, don't say I didn't warn you. (they are really pretty, though.....and easy to pull up if it gets to be too much)
ReplyDeleteZoey-My berries tasted "water-y"....I was disappointed. Next year? Let's hope it's better. I miss those tasty little morsels!
The strawberries you've gotten sure look good!
ReplyDeleteThe sunflowers which planted themselves choose a good spot. They look healthy.
I would definetely give those poppies a try. Purple! Perfect for my front garden and I have a space they can fill if they want. Email with info coming.
Yeah! I get to comment! I love your poppies! Please save me a bit of seed...I have tons of acres here and I don't care if they spread over every single one...they are BEAUTIFUL!!!! I lost my sweet strawberries to my chickens...those sneaky hens got into the fenced garden and had a party! I'm lucky tho...the produce stand down the road is keeping me well stocked! Wish you lived closer...I would love to share!
ReplyDeleteLynda-email me at suemar63@aol.com with your address. I'll send some out as soon as the seed pods "mature"
DeleteNice update - always nice to see what you're up to. I love those delphiniums, even if they aren't the right color. Well...maybe it you squint and tilt your head to the left... ;)
ReplyDeleteLOL! I've tilted and squinted all I can.....still not purple!
DeleteHEY--I can comment yay! I don't have any strawberries. No peas or sunflowers this year. I think my seeds were eaten by some varmits!
ReplyDeleteNo sunflowers? Oh dear! I think you need to go "varmint" hunting....
Delete:D
Hello!
ReplyDeleteI followed this link from Annies Kitchen Garden blog. I would LOVE some of the purple grape poppy seeds for my garden! my email is gretchenellie@yahoo.com :)
Hi Cherisse-I sent you an email.........
DeleteIndeed a screwy season. If solidago is so far ahead can ragweed be looming to them of allergy sufferers?
ReplyDeleteHubby's allergies are in full force---quite a bit early this year. I never thought about it until now. Oh boy, what a fun year, huh?
DeleteSo good to be able to talk to you again, Sue. Your garden looks great! You got a lot more strawberries than we did this year! The birds ate what few came up!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your blooms!
Daisy-thank you! Sorry about the birds--I'm having that problem with Mrs. Robin AGAIN this year. I swear-I'm gonna take the fly swatter out there with me.........
DeleteMy goldenrod bloomed in mid JUNE!! Ours also should be end of July/Aug!! We are still over 100 degrees daily for over a week now!! But has been near 100 for the last few days. .feels MUCH cooler than 109!! Unbelievably, I should NOT even be allowed to make that judgment!! By next year, I will have to contact your son for tips on "living in the desert!!" Glad you are home and enjoying at least a few things!!
ReplyDeleteBy the way. .glad you have enabled your comments again!! And be looking around for a place to put that caryopteris bush I plan on sending. .I have started weeding out the seedlings to keep them from taking over the place!! I will send you a great start!!
ReplyDeleteI just love your garden photos! The poppies are gorgeous and I would love to be able to add them to some flower beds. They could spread all over...
ReplyDeleteAnke, if you want some seeds, just email me your address and I would mail you some when they are matured....
Deletesuemar63@aol.com
Good to see you are back out in your beloved garden! We are so behind here that I feel about ready to give up - but we won't!! Would love some of your poppy seeds (and any others that you think might grow here).
ReplyDelete2Tramps-I wondered where you've been. Still digging?? You're going to run out of summer by the time those tomatoes are in-LOL!
DeleteThe seeds will be sent-have a good week!
OK, I know you are saying you are having garden issues. But yours is doing way better than mine, I have been out every morning and evening...watering...watering...watering. And now I am having another problem with the tomatoes...UGH! Maybe I should do what you did...go on vacation. You must have more than a green thumb...but this ora that stays even when your gone. Do I sound slightly green with envy?
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and visiting me so often.
With All That I Am
Carrie "The Handmade Homemaker"
Hi Carrie--I think everyones garden is having some issues this year.
DeleteSometimes, I think a lot of the problems are caused by watering. It's a no-win situation. They NEED water, but yet it causes problems (fungal diseases)
I have to say, my garden did good while I was gone, but I think the continued dryness has caught up with me.........
Yippee, we can comment again! Your garden looks great! It's going to be a tough year for all of us with this crazy weather.
ReplyDeleteHappy Fourth, Robin!
DeleteSue, the weather continues to be extreme every where. Wind storms in Ohio, floods in flordia, and fires in Colorado are among the bad reports. The heat here in eastern Nebraska is relentless with no end in sight. I have taken to hauling water to the big garden just for survival. As you stated the ground is turning to powder on the surface. I've been trying to find enough mulch to cover the entire garden but am having a difficult time finding enough. My garden time comes early in the morning at sunrise (5:30am). It just gets too hot for a old geezer to be in the garden when the temperatures rise up to 100 degrees. I dread to see the next power bill.
ReplyDeleteHopefully all our gardens will survive the hot temperatures. Have the best day that you can in the garden.
See below--I'm not used to this new layout yet!!!
DeleteHi David-Today we're having heat index of 105--nights are not cooling down. The garden is doing remarkably well considering! The corn, in particular, seems to be thrilled with the high heat and humidity. Sue, not so much so!
ReplyDelete:D
I garden from 5:30 to 8, then sit on the porch with iced tea and a fan. Not much else a person can do. Hope your big garden comes through. Have you tried straw for mulch.... a couple bales won't cost much and will save a lot of hauling water (just don't put it on until after the next rain)
Hi Sue, hasn't this been a year? Leaving my pots out for bait did no good, not even a sprinkle of rain overnight and today the sun is shining. At least we've cooled down to the 80's which is a relief.
ReplyDeleteYour strawberries look so good. I bought some fake ones (store-bought ones just aren't the same) just to have some to eat. I have one tomato this year and my onion crop failed right along with the carrots. And so many flowers are blooming all at once there will be nothing left for the rest of the summer. Good thing I put the hay mulch on heavy this spring, it's the only thing keeping the little moisture there is in the ground.
Ah, well, there's always next year!
Hi Karen----oh no about your carrots and onions. What weather we are having. I'm glad you mentioned about your flowers all blooming at once--I am having that problem and thought perhaps I was "imagining"??? I cannot fathom goldenrod in full bloom in the first week of July. And sunflowers.
DeleteSorry you didn't get any rain. We didn't either. And boy, could we use it!
Somewhere along the way ,I missed out on your garden plot and see you are now taking comments again"how does your garden grow ,Sue"?I guess I've been a bit busy,but I'll be sure to swing by to see all the beauty
ReplyDeleteHi Judy-nice to "see" you!
DeleteThank you for visiting my blog! I just don't know what month it is anymore! Seems it should be Fall, but the temps know better. I have never seen a purple poppy -- very pretty!!
ReplyDeleteJudy-Well, as fast as the time is going, it WILL be fall soon. Did you know they're already advertising "back-to-school" sales? When did THAT happen?
Delete:D
I imagine your peas are long gone by now. Mine sure are. Next year, I want to plant the edible pod kind.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that your blog roll has some blogs that haven't posted for awhile. I don't know if you saw that I had to get rid of mine altogether because people were getting warning messages that my blog could cause them to be infected with malware. It wasn't actually going to my blog, but clicking on links there that could pose a danger. I was advised to take off blogs that hadn't posted in awhile, but after that, people were still getting the message. People are no longer getting that warning now that I took them down. I hope to start a new blogroll when I get a chance.
Sue-that's excellent advice about the blogs that haven't been posting. I guess I'm always hoping they change their mind and begin again. Guess I'd better clean it up.
DeleteSue, I'd love some of those poppy seeds. I would be happy to pay you for them . Just let me know .
ReplyDeleteTina Hoak
Tina-no need to pay for them, I have enough. Email me your address to suemar63@aol.com
DeleteIf you still have seeds I'd love some! Found you through MamaPea. Looks like I can learn quite a bit from you
ReplyDeleteHi Katidids-I've still got some--you'll have to email me your address.
Deletesuemar63@aol.com