Every year I shot the Passion Flower but I think this shot from a slightly different angle is the best shot yet...very 3-D, showing all the intricate levels.
It has formed a living wall on one side of the small deck where I would like to put a small spa/hot tub.
Now that the neighborhood is changing, I am not so sure about doing that because of possible privacy issues. Pondering on it.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Lit From Within
This morning glory was just one of those glorious specimen, an example of why I love to plant morning glories. I don't plant them anymore as they have naturalized in my garden. It is my chore to make sure that they don't strangle out other plants and flowers.
I just had to remove one from my basil...it was twining it's way right round it.
I just had to remove one from my basil...it was twining it's way right round it.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Orange Zinnia
I must confess that I just bought three one gallon pots of Zinnias a week ago, and managed to get them planted before they bloomed this morning.
I have always thought of Zinnias as the quintessential summer flower...and this year they have appeared to me though I usually plant them each year, usually from seed. This year the time got away from me, and I was very lucky to find these, thanks to the Barber Family Farm booth at the Clearlake Friday Night Farmer's Market!
I have always thought of Zinnias as the quintessential summer flower...and this year they have appeared to me though I usually plant them each year, usually from seed. This year the time got away from me, and I was very lucky to find these, thanks to the Barber Family Farm booth at the Clearlake Friday Night Farmer's Market!
Chicoria Bloom
I have been wanting to get chicory established in my yard for a long time. One of my favorite dishes that my Genovese grandmother made was composed of chopped chicory leaves, potatoes, green onions and olive oil. Bitter, smooth, rich and delicious.
finally this morning, to celebrate the start of summer, I found that the plant I had let bolt had bloomed. I will let it go to seed among the poppies, calendula and arugula.
This was grown from a seed packet I brought back from Italy. I see lots of blue flower chicory along roadsides, but when it died out in my mother's yard, I had thought I had lost it for good. This is a different variety, but tartly delicious and I will make radichetto as I remember my Nonna calling it.
finally this morning, to celebrate the start of summer, I found that the plant I had let bolt had bloomed. I will let it go to seed among the poppies, calendula and arugula.
This was grown from a seed packet I brought back from Italy. I see lots of blue flower chicory along roadsides, but when it died out in my mother's yard, I had thought I had lost it for good. This is a different variety, but tartly delicious and I will make radichetto as I remember my Nonna calling it.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Earwig in the Matilija Poppy
The poppy blossom is starting to droop a bit, so I was taking a closer look and found this earwig, happy as could be.
This has been a fierce year for earwigs. Every bouquet of flowers I have brought in has been full of them, and the swiss chard, and salad mixes have also been host to these little devils.
This has been a fierce year for earwigs. Every bouquet of flowers I have brought in has been full of them, and the swiss chard, and salad mixes have also been host to these little devils.
Tomato Blossom
I have the most lush tomato plants, with many many huge blossoms, but no tomatoes. Here is what About.com says about blossom drop:lossom drop can be attributed to several causes, most often related to either temperature and / or stress.
* Temperature Too High or Too Low
* Lack of Pollination
* Nitrogen - Too Much or Too Little
* Humidity Too High or Low Humidity.
* Lack of water
* Stress from insect damage or disease
* Too Heavy Fruit Set
I am pretty sure that it is the abnormally cool and humid weather we have had for the month of June. And of course, that is out of my control. Warmer weather is forecast for later this week, and hopefully, the fruit will start to set. It is very frustrating sometimes to garden so close to the water.
* Temperature Too High or Too Low
* Lack of Pollination
* Nitrogen - Too Much or Too Little
* Humidity Too High or Low Humidity.
* Lack of water
* Stress from insect damage or disease
* Too Heavy Fruit Set
I am pretty sure that it is the abnormally cool and humid weather we have had for the month of June. And of course, that is out of my control. Warmer weather is forecast for later this week, and hopefully, the fruit will start to set. It is very frustrating sometimes to garden so close to the water.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Examining Mosquito Larva
This is a strange photo that was inspired when I leaned over to check out the larva and thought to photograph them...and got myself in sort of a negative effect.. In any case, I will have to pick up some Mosquito fish when I am in Lakeport on Wednesday and pop them into Koko's bath. Usually I can tip it up and over before it gets to this state, but it is wearing out, and the rim has cracked so I can't lift it to empty it. I will have to replace it this week.
It is a neat solution for a dog who overheats with that thick coat, and it is surrounded with lots of big potted plants so it has a rather tropical ambiance under the deck. Unfortunately, the Mosquitos love the same ambiance. Fish to the rescue.
It is a neat solution for a dog who overheats with that thick coat, and it is surrounded with lots of big potted plants so it has a rather tropical ambiance under the deck. Unfortunately, the Mosquitos love the same ambiance. Fish to the rescue.
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