Friday, July 31, 2015

July Forecast _ Hot

Yes, June 2015 was unseasonably hot (weeks of 90 to 100) and will go down in the record books as being the hottest June ever recorded! Our average June high is 73 degrees F.

And July forecast_ continued HOT. We cannot recall August type weather so early in the season. Funny how one looks forward to 80 degrees following 100! Is it possible that August will give us back our June and July?

Despite the heat, the gardens have done surprisingly well, and another nice surprise this month is the Blue Moon, a second full moon.

The Full Moon of July 1 ushered in the red sky warning
Full Moon
 
 
little visitor

Fresh vegetables harvested, leftover chicken, Quinoa...  casserole
Mourning Doves are everywhere amidst the trees


Lovers forever

Divided, potted, traveled north, positioned...
... and planted my cousin's (removed the lawn) drought tolerant deer resistant garden.
"I think I love you"
Suyo Long forming
Suyo Long harvest
6 1/2 pounds of wild plums from our Thundercloud Plum
R. Brandy
R. Graham Thomas
Ms Robin's nest
southern garden facing north
View south
sit a spell
Armenian cucumber
Korean cucumber salad: whisk 1 TB rice vinegar, 2 tsp dark sesame oil, 2 tsp soy, pinch cayenne, salt to taste; pour over 2 lbs sliced cucumbers, and allow to marinate for several hours
Cucumbers and carrots fermenting
Dahlia Fascination
just a Hosta but slightly sunburned
Oriental lily time
Vitex
July 30: blistering record setting 105 degrees F (82 is the average)
July 31: another record setting 105 forecast

Full Moon ( Blue Moon)






Sunday, July 5, 2015

Unseasonably Hot June

June 2015
Who would have guessed that June temperatures would be in the high 90's and fast approaching 100 so early in the month of June? Low to mid 70's is the average this time of year!

Temperatures soared to record-­breaking heights throughout the month and some of the garden did not like it a bit. Having said that, some of the vegetables are thriving as are the fruits. So we won't complain, but deal with the hand dealt.
Brandywine tomatoes on the vine
Apples comin' on
San Marzano
Kousa Dogwood is loaded as usual

R. Graham Thomas
Strawberry time
NO, not my Savoy!
Cutworm
Cabbage White Butterfly Larvae
B. Early Snowball
Pickled Cauliflower
Friends tour the garden... wonder what's down there
Yes! she filled the feeder



Digitalis
Japanese Iris Diomedes

Climbing Rose Eden
Japanese Iris time





R. 'Mozart'
Rosa glauca
Buddha and Thyme




it's a bird, it's a plane, no, it's... a drone
Purple Podded Heirloom Pole Bean

From garden to table_ Purple Podded plus a few Lazy Housewife
Barnsley
sit a spell

Cotinus Golden Spirit and R. Summer Wine
R. Wenlock outside the Tea Room
from inside the Tea Room

Beet harvest_ Beet, kale, walnut, spring onion and goat cheese Salad


Ruby throated hummingbird



Lavender Time

 



Perhaps some table grapes this year
Finally planted a peach tree
 waiting for pears
south garden
Swallowtail

The Artistry of the early morning sun