"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it brings."

Monday, September 19, 2011

Last days of summer.

Over the weekend we had our first fall "system" move through.  This brought much cooler weather, lots of rain and wind.  The rain was appreciated by the garden, but the first few windy days are not appreciated by me.  They bring down all the dead pine needles from the Ponderosa Pine.  It takes many, many days to get them cleaned.  Just when they are mostly swept and raked up, another wind comes through.  Our roof looks as though we have a thatched roof.  Pine needles are my very least favorite thing about the end of summer.  But, once they are sort of cleaned (until the yard waste bin is packed full of them) and untangled from everything, the garden looks good again.

 Sunflowers tall and short are blooming in the front garden.

 Yes, that's a RED tomato!  I started these 'Tigerella' tomatoes last year and none turned red.  I'm so glad that at least one is turning this year.  In a few days my in-laws will be visiting from California, hopefully we'll be eating tomatoes from the garden while they are here.

 We spent a long time yesterday cleaning out the front raised reds, pulling out lettuce and greens that were done and planting more seedlings.  We've got lots of chard, kale, beets and carrots starting.  I sowed lettuce and radishes yesterday.  I still consider this an experimental year, so we'll see how well things do started now.  I do know for sure we need to organize our plantings much better next year, also that we'll plant way fewer tomatoes since they took up a lot of space and haven't produced much.
Oh, and I found what the strange Sunflower is called.  It's 'Sunspot' and supposed to get 18" - 24" tall according to the packet.

 This has got to be the prettiest lettuce I've ever grown.  'Mottistone' has been doing great, no signs of bolting, and I found that the fairies like it too.

 The other raised bed seems to have more warm season veggies growing.  Pattypan, Buternut and Zucchini are all still growing.

 I showed the start of the changes of the driveway bed in a previous post.  I really like how it's turning out.

 From a different angle you can see the new Nandina 'Gulf Stream' on the left and Osmanthus 'Goshiki' on the right.  These two are both evergreen.

 Love the seed heads on this Clematis.

 The shed garden still looks pretty good for this late in the summer.  I've been noticing how much red/burgundy colored foliage  I've been adding in both the front and backyard.

 Fuchsia magellanica is still doing great by the pond.

 One plant I'm very happy with this year is the Bugbane or Actaea.  I've had it in several places and it seems it finally likes it here.  It's close to 5 feet tall and is covered in the best smelling flowers.  The honeybees were all over it.

We are looking forward to my husband's parents coming for a visit.  It looks as if summer is returning for this week and we should be able to enjoy lots of time outside.  Not too long ago I replanted both Dill and Basil for my father-in-law to use when he hopefully makes us Spanakopita.  In March they were here and saw the very beginnings of the garden, and he also helped my husband build the front arbor.  I'm excited for them to see how it all looks now.
 All words and photos in this post are property of A Gardener in Progress. Pin It

34 comments:

  1. I grew that Mottistone lettuce this year too, and loved it. I've been meaning to start more lettuce but haven't got around to it yet. It's probably too late now. I may give the veggies a rest for the winter. Your garden looks great! Is that your first tomato? We're getting loads now, after that string of hot days. Hope you have a great visit with your in-laws.

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  2. The tomato and lettuces are beautiful. I love the color variations. Everything is looking great! Save some spanakopita for me, I' m on my way. Enjoy your visit. Bonnie

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  3. Hi,

    Lovely to see what's still going on in your garden.

    I'd like summer to return here too, temps are not too bad and generally ok not to need jumpers and such but just a few more degrees would be nice!

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  4. Catherine,

    I love the look of your veggie garden and those sunflowers are wonderful! I have given up trying to plant a cool crop in my raised bed, the bunnies are all over it. So, this year I am trying lettuce in containers on my patio table.

    Eileen

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  5. Hi Catherine, Does the variegated lettuce taste as good as it looks? I have pulled all my tomatoes out of the garden, they were done. There are only the pole beans and carrots in the garden. Your veggie garden still looks very productive. Take care:)

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  6. Those Clematis seedheads are some of the fluffiest I have seen. Good to know the name of the sunflower....might get some seeds next spring.

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  7. Love how green your gardeen is . Our 100 heat for days on end this summer dried up even my perennials. we has some rain this week so maybe we will get some geen before the snow.

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  8. You seem to be raising giants in your garden, that sunflower head is really HUGE! I remember again the seed patters follow the Fibonacci numbers which is the most efficient way of packing. Your photo is better than that in Wikipedia, LOL. The lettuce and even the tree at the background have big leaves, complimenting the giant sunflower.

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  9. Catherine,
    Those sunflowers look like strange people in the garden with yellow hats. Shame the tomatoes didn't do well, just not hot enough for them there. Your gardens look great!

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  10. Love that lettuce! I wish I could have your pine needles! We have alkaline soil and those needles make wonderful mulch and add acidity to the soil. I put it around my hydrangeas to help make them blue, and also use them around the azaleas, blueberries and lingonberries.

    My mom says those clematis seed heads are called "frets." :-)

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  11. What a lovely early autumn garden you have. I really admire all the vegetables that you are growing and the salad looks so good, that I want to make a salad for me with it right now. The sunflowers with the gigantic head are really amazing. I am sure the birds will enjoy them, too.
    Christina

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  12. Your parents-in-law will be overwhelmed by how beautifully your garden has turned out. There is so much to see and take in, I know I'd spend hours and hours lazily wandering about enjoying it from all angles. It's looking lovely!

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  13. Everything looks great, as usual. I remember your FIL helping build the gate/fence. They are going to be so proud of the way everything has turned out. I am still in awe of those sunflowers!

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  14. It is nice to see what is still growing strong in your large garden. It is great you started the cool crops. This summer was so bad weatherwise I basically let the garden fend for itself. I still have potted plants waiting for their garden spot, but I just kept them shaded in pots all summer. Too darn hot, and we had it mild compared to the mid and southwest.

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  15. Your front raised beds are SO attractive. The nice stone paths really make them. I'd love to have you as a neighbor! Have a great visit with your inlaws.

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  16. Your front garden has turned out so wonderfully! That is a beautiful tomato - almost hate to eat it, almost. I just planted some more lettuce myself and spinach. It's coming up already! What a great sunflower. Bet it's fun to watch the birds visit that one. My Bugbane has not bloomed in two years. I moved it this past spring and it seems to be doing better in the new spot but no gorgeous flower spikes like yours (sigh). Well, I have something to look forward to.

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  17. Hi Catherine. Sorry about the pine needles. The garden looks great!

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  18. Your FIL will be surprised by what all is going on in that front garden since he was there. I still love that rounded Sunflower.I hope the scarecrow is keeping out the crows from your garden. LOL! They are thick around here. The driveway bed looks wonderful. I really like Osmanthus and wish I had a bigger yard when I see it. Have a wonderful week.

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  19. HI Catherine! Your gardens are lovely as usual. I especially enjoyed the photo of the lettuce with the fairy! I want to try that kind...it's beautiful and if it is resistant to bolting..I'm in for a try! Osmanthus 'Goshiki' was one of my favorite evergreens in my garden when I lived in Portland. It's beautiful and it already looks good in your space.

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  20. Catherine ~ Your gardens are lovely as always. I'm glad you are still able to enjoy them before your winter weather sets in.

    I know you in-laws are going to enjoy seeing what has transpired since their last visit.

    FlowerLady

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  21. As always, a beautiful post. Enjoy the harvest and awesome Spanakopita!

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  22. Your garden still looks lovely at the end of summer, but that doesn't mean I'm ready for summer to leave. Boo hoo, don't go summer!

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  23. Your garden looks wonderful, Catherine. That lettuce really is pretty.I love the clemmy seed head photo and your Actaea is to die for. I hope you have a fun time with your in-laws.

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  24. Your gardens are looking beautiful, that bugbane is a stunner. The sunflowers are amazing in the landscape, so large.
    I've not see the tigerella before it reminds me of the green zebra. I hope the warm weather stays long enough to ripen the tomatoes.

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  25. I actually like that Sunspot sunflower, and that it's shorter. Sometimes the Russian Mammoths just get too tall and gangly looking. The Mottistone lettuce looks gorgeous. I'm always looking for slow-bolting varieties, as our summer can be cool one minute, and hot the next. I might have to try this one! Your Rudbeckias made me a little sad though. After leaving them alone for months, the deer came by a few nights ago, and ate every single flower. Nipped them right at the top of the stalks! They were so pretty too. Rotten deer.

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  26. Ok Catherine tell me what Spanakopita is. Your beds are looking so good. I'm not familiar with the Bugbane but it is so pretty. Looks like a bottle brush. Always looking at your pond area. Ah it's soothing. I see a bunch of echinacea blooming too. Enjoy your relatives.

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  27. I adore your front garden! And it's just what I want at the little blue house. Wish you could come help me...
    Brenda

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  28. Lovely photos and garden update. The 'Tigerella' tomatoes look really good / impressive. The sunflower is amazing - looks like the size of a small child! Enjoy your guests. All the best, Kelli.

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  29. Think his parents will be impressed....I sure am.

    What a great selection of veggies.
    Congrats on the changes with your garden beds. Wishing I had the energy.

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  30. Your sunflowers are amazing! What are you feeding them? Thanks for sharing!
    Annie

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  31. Catherine, Your sunflowers look so cheerful, and the clematis seedheads are wonderful. Your Actea gives me hope for what mine might look like some day. I hope you've been having a great visit with your in-laws. -Jean

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  32. Gode billeder.
    Hvor har du endnu mange smukke blomster i din efterårshave.
    Tak for rundvisningen.

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  33. OMG. It all looks so good. Love your header. Hummingbirds are my favorite. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day.

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  34. I love the bugbane! Does it need heavy sun? Thinking of it for a north-west facing (mostly north) spot in the front yard.

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