tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212224372024-03-07T10:48:03.540-05:00Wortcunning<i>"I know a bank whereon the wild thyme blows,
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows,
Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine,
With sweet musk-roses, and with eglantine:
There sleeps Titania some time of the night,
Lull’d in these flowers with dances and delight</i><br>
-A Midsummer-Night’s Dream (2.1.260-5)Spinnerettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18335780710513434157noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21222437.post-1236262891873032552011-05-03T08:50:00.004-05:002011-05-04T11:29:25.498-05:00CREEPY bugs<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">UPDATED to reflect change in identification by <a href="http://arthurevans.wordpress.com/">Dr. Art Evans</a> :) entomologist extraordinaire. He has a regular segment on the local radio and is the author of <a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/National-Wildlife-Federation-Field-Guide-to-Insects-and-Spiders-Related-Species-of-North-America/Arthur-V-Evans/e/9781402741531/?itm=1&USRI=national+wildlife+federation+field+guide+to+insects+and+spiders+of+north+america">National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Insects and Spiders & Related Species of North America</a>. Thanks Dr. Evans!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">These things recently landed on our doorstep- quite literally!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0yDhdspK_Fd_TCUZEtF_B_d3uX-7mauB2DDa71Q8ZOZlcuGZV7_1EZyNKpuKEmkMZFUab29Nj1VKCEGQLR_ww-T6m563af7xaYgIZ1Zyj2a-CspHiCg3F5kr7AL8cnsDPM1zU/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0yDhdspK_Fd_TCUZEtF_B_d3uX-7mauB2DDa71Q8ZOZlcuGZV7_1EZyNKpuKEmkMZFUab29Nj1VKCEGQLR_ww-T6m563af7xaYgIZ1Zyj2a-CspHiCg3F5kr7AL8cnsDPM1zU/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">It is called a Fishfly, from the <i>Chauliodes</i> genus. From the photos on the link Dr. Art Evans sent me, it looks like the <a href="http://bugguide.net/node/view/8569">Spring Fishfly.</a></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">They are HUGE. Oh and you can click on the pictures for nice BIG detailed versions!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwJLqj-74dGFCJ_J7Fk17roLHqo_QusHjCgoCANqt2X1cUzYvTwRU7i7J7oOK06UI3cGbvWv_EYqz4ro4DcodFhyphenhyphenOZucoyekWPu6iC0HzHZhBSUidY5P67fC7QOdH6xPqycIM/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwJLqj-74dGFCJ_J7Fk17roLHqo_QusHjCgoCANqt2X1cUzYvTwRU7i7J7oOK06UI3cGbvWv_EYqz4ro4DcodFhyphenhyphenOZucoyekWPu6iC0HzHZhBSUidY5P67fC7QOdH6xPqycIM/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Which makes it rather creepy to open the door and see them. Not sure why they are there, I shall have to research them.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCc7BcowwMQxUEucsgqirgJ7HrB2sZocWIbgZAAzPeB4MFiFKHyU1DvKGHH0s-_iituezY3pz64fIkd-JaVWhYakbvL4QlcG1cEcULAARUgxv1dgLD8YE82asl5xe_FIyolWHx/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCc7BcowwMQxUEucsgqirgJ7HrB2sZocWIbgZAAzPeB4MFiFKHyU1DvKGHH0s-_iituezY3pz64fIkd-JaVWhYakbvL4QlcG1cEcULAARUgxv1dgLD8YE82asl5xe_FIyolWHx/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />They seem to be attracted to lights, and for some reason hang around our back door well into the morning. Weird things!<br />The kids are fascinated (7 year old daughter) and repelled (11 year old son) by them. But I am pretty sure that this covered nature study this week ;)<br /><br /><br /></div>Spinnerettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18335780710513434157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21222437.post-61308065922141971132011-03-10T15:39:00.000-05:002011-03-10T15:39:26.768-05:00Guest Garden- WilliamsburgI meant to post this garden last year, when I visited it. Actually I visit the garden regularly, because Williamsburg is just not that far from here and this is one of my favourite gardens!<br />
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A stroll along Duke of Gloucester Street (known affectionately as "DoG Street"), Williamsburg will show you some of the most stunning gardens in Virginia. This is a graphics intensive post, so be patient!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHr3Yigx41Bu0VdPLnQwgoUdJNtyfR7PvifRPz088TVhWwQIJEAiiGN_dA2wLFU0gE8Y1X6Xjo9jD8l6mP1rIK3jSwMttdkwDyFslDetMNwZdZgIev9d8jqVKB7gRHQrbNkZiC/s1600/IMG_1730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHr3Yigx41Bu0VdPLnQwgoUdJNtyfR7PvifRPz088TVhWwQIJEAiiGN_dA2wLFU0gE8Y1X6Xjo9jD8l6mP1rIK3jSwMttdkwDyFslDetMNwZdZgIev9d8jqVKB7gRHQrbNkZiC/s320/IMG_1730.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This particular garden, sits outside a tiny white house, close to the entrance to Colonial Williamsburg. I have long been fascinated with it's beautiful shaped beds and brick pathways. The hedges surrounding the property are usually well groomed too, though not ornate in nature.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGn7aN-u_rURApRdkDG-uKVmulYxaIXn3cUcYDt40X0AN205l8NMZ8_dQpTjjcn0_QBTJSUAOuulY4JpzmPTKCJM6s0HUtcL33sBCsghpwLTGmAN_Eii3YYRx0w3MUgycowNv/s1600/IMG_1731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGn7aN-u_rURApRdkDG-uKVmulYxaIXn3cUcYDt40X0AN205l8NMZ8_dQpTjjcn0_QBTJSUAOuulY4JpzmPTKCJM6s0HUtcL33sBCsghpwLTGmAN_Eii3YYRx0w3MUgycowNv/s320/IMG_1731.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EnpirMnjk7u0Cxch6nQVRhlTLE97C3wbeP7teMwOsMajYwVBKT6ZqdGwoo2rjdAf2RM2uXUImEtmqPzfL1Imb5DKFN9pFTNFg-YKHAvh998Qb9LLgkZcaMBBxMEaQxYV0atj/s1600/IMG_1732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EnpirMnjk7u0Cxch6nQVRhlTLE97C3wbeP7teMwOsMajYwVBKT6ZqdGwoo2rjdAf2RM2uXUImEtmqPzfL1Imb5DKFN9pFTNFg-YKHAvh998Qb9LLgkZcaMBBxMEaQxYV0atj/s320/IMG_1732.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>You can see the little house here. Most of the garden is given over to herbs, and a pleasant buzzing of bees can be heard once they bloom.<br />
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My favourite garden, however, is a little further down. This 'DoG Street Garden' also has a tiny garden centre, where seeds and plants, as well as colonial style decorations can be bought.<br />
The costumed 'interpreter' for the garden, is a gentleman who is as knowledgeable about gardening as he is about the time period in question. He grows food year round (inspirationally) without much diffculty!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3bHoiYulD4EYqpZHKEL_yFQEi-MDaxmejMCCOwrEwKsHDFEBBcj0AW0H6DiHuznr7r5rDDtq6WED_-7DwfvsWkLiFbcr6m1ZaAN9wPGzHLD9JMPQniec7IbT6auRpQn2Qt3B/s1600/IMG_1733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3bHoiYulD4EYqpZHKEL_yFQEi-MDaxmejMCCOwrEwKsHDFEBBcj0AW0H6DiHuznr7r5rDDtq6WED_-7DwfvsWkLiFbcr6m1ZaAN9wPGzHLD9JMPQniec7IbT6auRpQn2Qt3B/s320/IMG_1733.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>To the left, in this shot, is a living fence. A woven lattice of limbs! You can't see it though, because the peas hide it. In the centre, I believe we have some squash being grown vertically, while on the right are some melons growing on the ground. All the plants grown here are heirloom varieties thought to have been around at the time of the Colonial capital's heyday.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9Rq2HfiQmceSAfdMuhAJXahr73ZXd5etdpmLBaK8c14a4q-_zF0z_qF7SRJf0wHqgiRbsoxql5IawYHXfqGrhAN82xiH0qrTHcyHMeIpcCONF7TlmDzpbdmao3U-hGrQGP_C/s1600/IMG_1734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9Rq2HfiQmceSAfdMuhAJXahr73ZXd5etdpmLBaK8c14a4q-_zF0z_qF7SRJf0wHqgiRbsoxql5IawYHXfqGrhAN82xiH0qrTHcyHMeIpcCONF7TlmDzpbdmao3U-hGrQGP_C/s320/IMG_1734.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Onions, strawberries and peas. You can tell it is already getting a little warm for peas by the end of May (this is from May 31st) because they are yellowing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELUoKzubYyMw-nwVXDGj5pa5TsKOJrdH470JUQ3yRWpASf4jrR2WeHRdeWJ9cVG__-gm81YXhb3I_Sb_dezdW71iqGK9CMrZ4JsD1l3PCSrnXMK60dzXjWuf2t_dXQqh7iCHS/s1600/IMG_1736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELUoKzubYyMw-nwVXDGj5pa5TsKOJrdH470JUQ3yRWpASf4jrR2WeHRdeWJ9cVG__-gm81YXhb3I_Sb_dezdW71iqGK9CMrZ4JsD1l3PCSrnXMK60dzXjWuf2t_dXQqh7iCHS/s320/IMG_1736.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>As I said, they sell plants here. This picture appears to have a small pomegranate tree growing in a pot, with a couple of eggplants/aubergines beside it in other pots.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42uwcx29AyymklYPX7cOj1F8MLN4Vv3Wl-n2vTTyodZb1ugVFscQ7aAcmhHVo_yQAZTkxjZ4h36kDj6pviJmWtaAbkjzs7Zhi_r6Tt-_a_bncjCs6rc3Gcp1crN_oyXa2kGkR/s1600/IMG_1737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42uwcx29AyymklYPX7cOj1F8MLN4Vv3Wl-n2vTTyodZb1ugVFscQ7aAcmhHVo_yQAZTkxjZ4h36kDj6pviJmWtaAbkjzs7Zhi_r6Tt-_a_bncjCs6rc3Gcp1crN_oyXa2kGkR/s320/IMG_1737.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>They extend the season with cold frames and hot beds. There is a lot of manure around, and the gardener uses it under the coldframe (buried deeply) to warm the bed up for early starts to beans, squash and peas while winter is still hanging around.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsOb_8zaRQFByS3u8KxiNDDx_nL7PELeM4SuVRMJyT1vhEwemcmCj1SQhO0WioQU3or9pYvzLXOBkZxgDUs0bN0SxRmh5SejO0CrPosOQ02ldsac1awF5uH5RXzGsrNH0gG3J/s1600/IMG_1786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsOb_8zaRQFByS3u8KxiNDDx_nL7PELeM4SuVRMJyT1vhEwemcmCj1SQhO0WioQU3or9pYvzLXOBkZxgDUs0bN0SxRmh5SejO0CrPosOQ02ldsac1awF5uH5RXzGsrNH0gG3J/s320/IMG_1786.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The cold frames are insulated with a layer of pine needles or straw.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1HtrSkhOwoJ_bTRA1YGMDAz64F5oqU5skov0YG0hZZzTmLwcBqTZwwZLDjzcl1FrjMbY6CtRj11hgXTp0Pv0xtVXFIhH__H263JjuH8Kus8ezRG3aKwiUDOKJvNmEYxNqQpA/s1600/IMG_1739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1HtrSkhOwoJ_bTRA1YGMDAz64F5oqU5skov0YG0hZZzTmLwcBqTZwwZLDjzcl1FrjMbY6CtRj11hgXTp0Pv0xtVXFIhH__H263JjuH8Kus8ezRG3aKwiUDOKJvNmEYxNqQpA/s320/IMG_1739.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Bell peppers have been transplanted outside at this point too. Here in Virginia, and early start with tomatoes and bell peppers will get us crops beginning in June.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOAqHTOKhQ2F1KNTR1S-znQRixtjA8KshJtaSeZ3szGXJccWg2wLcaV5yoSbzrs7UXVN7_vgepP2LEH9GYvDUJw3CGT9akszluT3g68JEDRi9_MbMVD1GQn9QaysZXiJVA4YR/s1600/IMG_1740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOAqHTOKhQ2F1KNTR1S-znQRixtjA8KshJtaSeZ3szGXJccWg2wLcaV5yoSbzrs7UXVN7_vgepP2LEH9GYvDUJw3CGT9akszluT3g68JEDRi9_MbMVD1GQn9QaysZXiJVA4YR/s320/IMG_1740.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I am always fascinated with the garden structures used for support in the colonial gardens. The rickety bamboo trellis here will probably house a vining green bean- they can get quite prolific in summer, and are often one of the first vegetables to produce, despite going into the ground from seed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWv-MnmBEocSG_6xGmwZNDAbZ1e6IIJ8yLP6nIlkMCAhp2ZQxAAWHuFxeUpmY7-Q8-_ZqyBbMo7nSWZLzKqX-llguWY1ZW6rf52QxhGWBvXfsmz1XcQ4MD_A4qaTeNwfwsh5K1/s1600/IMG_1741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWv-MnmBEocSG_6xGmwZNDAbZ1e6IIJ8yLP6nIlkMCAhp2ZQxAAWHuFxeUpmY7-Q8-_ZqyBbMo7nSWZLzKqX-llguWY1ZW6rf52QxhGWBvXfsmz1XcQ4MD_A4qaTeNwfwsh5K1/s320/IMG_1741.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>The whole garden is not all vegetables. Herbs and flowers grace it too- which means plenty of butterflies and hummingbirds.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hKCs1Hwa_uvg9kiTcZCN3LZVd5rd0rD8ZfUzpIm1vtfkCFSPh_MwNz1vx2jaBFMMhY5nHQpTFak90CvDVBWE1b0JocvEPHFeXuwEhfeDDM0Fg9KPJiLKSTm7FnlX6pac6Rtk/s1600/IMG_1742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hKCs1Hwa_uvg9kiTcZCN3LZVd5rd0rD8ZfUzpIm1vtfkCFSPh_MwNz1vx2jaBFMMhY5nHQpTFak90CvDVBWE1b0JocvEPHFeXuwEhfeDDM0Fg9KPJiLKSTm7FnlX6pac6Rtk/s320/IMG_1742.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I often get overwhelmed just <i>looking</i> at the garden- there is SO MUCH to see! This is the path leading past the herbs and flowers...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibI7cFiuG4DFHRoVyewfWGWdr0azXqBlq1fbrG39EWHS1C4aawKFEp8PW_Fh7s-Yl8epQT9To1NNSbVBDDplp5qBIZHRCQEcTFMU3Ebx8lScut7kTxMJ2xtzu2AWpo37g4M21z/s1600/IMG_1743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibI7cFiuG4DFHRoVyewfWGWdr0azXqBlq1fbrG39EWHS1C4aawKFEp8PW_Fh7s-Yl8epQT9To1NNSbVBDDplp5qBIZHRCQEcTFMU3Ebx8lScut7kTxMJ2xtzu2AWpo37g4M21z/s320/IMG_1743.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It really is a riot of colour, and the buzzing of bees is very prevalent. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-VshXMIzrtr7Kikg_hOVccvpzH2H1Up_paExBhe9XVlZJ3ilPjeYeqVKjkqx3m_buZ7xyVGxOQNzLLhJn20JN-aecLWZPUUwKiMICQFW42Yo-j1ISP9vHtc3FJ3yX36Yh1MX/s1600/IMG_1744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-VshXMIzrtr7Kikg_hOVccvpzH2H1Up_paExBhe9XVlZJ3ilPjeYeqVKjkqx3m_buZ7xyVGxOQNzLLhJn20JN-aecLWZPUUwKiMICQFW42Yo-j1ISP9vHtc3FJ3yX36Yh1MX/s320/IMG_1744.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The pleurisy root/milkweed is there for the monarchs too.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg638Yaaw2zGywnP3r57gUI0FbklXDLmAk0rpM9btQfCKh1MJISTBh0AjIeOhFHZL5J4KHh4wjrO01er5jMBa6p5Kejfzy8FBapbtVtU-EHOqRUeNzPYZ5tbVUM2ubu1f0ft14S/s1600/IMG_1745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg638Yaaw2zGywnP3r57gUI0FbklXDLmAk0rpM9btQfCKh1MJISTBh0AjIeOhFHZL5J4KHh4wjrO01er5jMBa6p5Kejfzy8FBapbtVtU-EHOqRUeNzPYZ5tbVUM2ubu1f0ft14S/s320/IMG_1745.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>The herb bed. There are all sorts of herbs there, and more interesting, is learning the herbs considered important by the Colonists.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWrY8gMZCSYdUdUE9kMxK5ftKnpKpqu7PPIavP4B44fjxja802G_EZLzN29egqYvaRuUoz1Ey_pk0DwBTAeHcUcUt_JbFbjhaunpFrq-92Y9nwdVk8PgvAY2X4kkwKFuux6o3I/s1600/IMG_1746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWrY8gMZCSYdUdUE9kMxK5ftKnpKpqu7PPIavP4B44fjxja802G_EZLzN29egqYvaRuUoz1Ey_pk0DwBTAeHcUcUt_JbFbjhaunpFrq-92Y9nwdVk8PgvAY2X4kkwKFuux6o3I/s320/IMG_1746.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Full, and beautiful herbs! Chamomile... mint... Feverfew... yarrow.... the list goes on.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_-R1lHGN2qkFPFMBuDphHW6Fzv6kNjYzkuVtMtFJLbSmWhLerTIE92FbLJVGQAO1vHwAwt4mt8f2gr2wmwlgbm6S8f9UxsNuX7hoEXkQrgs79PBRCFk-h0sWEBe6bavHXkyi/s1600/IMG_1749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_-R1lHGN2qkFPFMBuDphHW6Fzv6kNjYzkuVtMtFJLbSmWhLerTIE92FbLJVGQAO1vHwAwt4mt8f2gr2wmwlgbm6S8f9UxsNuX7hoEXkQrgs79PBRCFk-h0sWEBe6bavHXkyi/s320/IMG_1749.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>This woven grapevine is wonderful isn't it?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUEFXObEMBqW6LBm7dW8mjeMhGF8z1U4BWDQXUYJaC2ezGLyI7_wwySI-y8qWTUqnwhYoXT37DfRUyB1vcF6Q7r6vMh5oS84upbqS5vcx3pPG140XSX6eXec3WGLm7UKRa5fid/s1600/IMG_1750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUEFXObEMBqW6LBm7dW8mjeMhGF8z1U4BWDQXUYJaC2ezGLyI7_wwySI-y8qWTUqnwhYoXT37DfRUyB1vcF6Q7r6vMh5oS84upbqS5vcx3pPG140XSX6eXec3WGLm7UKRa5fid/s320/IMG_1750.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>You can see here that it was <i>very</i> busy there... despite being rather early in the season. You can see the canopied area where they sell things straight ahead.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvEZHr0y9s2X6aKsJ1NPP5HImf8SLTA9oPzsixOT0-WW3Jk0Tj9taan2R5YL3p7zOvz5GKCSyaV5ZY9UppGlv4nTyLviUW7wA4OIUvif4xxwvTIKADrKxnGHQbb-2IG9hdnmR/s1600/IMG_1751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvEZHr0y9s2X6aKsJ1NPP5HImf8SLTA9oPzsixOT0-WW3Jk0Tj9taan2R5YL3p7zOvz5GKCSyaV5ZY9UppGlv4nTyLviUW7wA4OIUvif4xxwvTIKADrKxnGHQbb-2IG9hdnmR/s320/IMG_1751.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>And a different view of the flowerbed. You can see Bruton Parish Church right opposite the garden too.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1qowJV-jcuJkYSfA389jE11W2dEqxXys6N5z9Cjh8pZMJYFOl16dDWSWB9JnFavab8oeYDLDM7hFIvjkgEVZPbZEVLqGyBq8hIltet6M41X14Vh3olYtctx67JI9AE_OZWk_/s1600/IMG_1754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1qowJV-jcuJkYSfA389jE11W2dEqxXys6N5z9Cjh8pZMJYFOl16dDWSWB9JnFavab8oeYDLDM7hFIvjkgEVZPbZEVLqGyBq8hIltet6M41X14Vh3olYtctx67JI9AE_OZWk_/s320/IMG_1754.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I am not sure what these are, but they are pretty!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNUD7zRD5pB6hswg1JM3sYk42V31_sdNdHoNApMtcWRBKy7EAe_MrRbOJQ1y7dubR4Cxd_6HAdjHmvcMoN0zvEUReslGoU1L-r7cJhYGHQhElGoOok1rT7dc-fH41O3jmxLca/s1600/IMG_1756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNUD7zRD5pB6hswg1JM3sYk42V31_sdNdHoNApMtcWRBKy7EAe_MrRbOJQ1y7dubR4Cxd_6HAdjHmvcMoN0zvEUReslGoU1L-r7cJhYGHQhElGoOok1rT7dc-fH41O3jmxLca/s320/IMG_1756.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Another fun garden structure there on the left... a woven fence. I am not sure what the circle is for, but I am guessing more squash, this looks like the traditional squash mounds. Then there is the metal thing holding the onions with their fabulous heads... I love those!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHWR41U6A2jwNTy5x70tAtL8W_t5C-EmZB_curxcK5OZakF19xL7dec3GiqnnGvFSdPy3qp4NBRLhXSkIare1TpW5pkt4bLo_axTyp-ZoaszKE5rpC_AhQdn7xOs4oWuBeMzW/s1600/IMG_1758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHWR41U6A2jwNTy5x70tAtL8W_t5C-EmZB_curxcK5OZakF19xL7dec3GiqnnGvFSdPy3qp4NBRLhXSkIare1TpW5pkt4bLo_axTyp-ZoaszKE5rpC_AhQdn7xOs4oWuBeMzW/s320/IMG_1758.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Here is a closeup of the fence!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDeBZq0ScOnn9xe1q87r7hCSgdk4wXtMlbiUQ-fSHy9ZJm0Nqx2fhSIyeNw56SIQSfb9BwZnqELx3pXj8v4B7Jk91eBmmmvtWdlXTRZJpREdrfLe5qLbGDI7NuOaagSlZBrai/s1600/IMG_1757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDeBZq0ScOnn9xe1q87r7hCSgdk4wXtMlbiUQ-fSHy9ZJm0Nqx2fhSIyeNw56SIQSfb9BwZnqELx3pXj8v4B7Jk91eBmmmvtWdlXTRZJpREdrfLe5qLbGDI7NuOaagSlZBrai/s320/IMG_1757.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I think this is a cardoon. So many of the veggies grown here are out of style I don't always remember what they are!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytq21xeBfhlVbG9loTMOFq_Z55hGMsEOP38GmH7pzgrEmwoiE_VTlzlAh5IjP2c4RrQLxqo6bIxglfoVrbKBZclOPTc6aGtJQIRW864N-pdFvNqJqbfP73Gb-OudIEMUcYx9g/s1600/IMG_1761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytq21xeBfhlVbG9loTMOFq_Z55hGMsEOP38GmH7pzgrEmwoiE_VTlzlAh5IjP2c4RrQLxqo6bIxglfoVrbKBZclOPTc6aGtJQIRW864N-pdFvNqJqbfP73Gb-OudIEMUcYx9g/s320/IMG_1761.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>These rain barrels are the main source of water for the garden. They use old colonial style watering cans to water the garden, the ones with the gravity feed. You can also see some of the tip and pour style here too.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUSM8y8e1rVG2OhM4EB4Yb1ZthT08AkqvfmNVnHZGuc0Y-42dAlXBHKjmBd0SzwzBrsXNzSGCEW5mO7GOKCfIDi5FOFfdEOtTJMeXclz2OTz8mH8Zv3zSf7-bicbdWx4D7z1a/s1600/IMG_1762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUSM8y8e1rVG2OhM4EB4Yb1ZthT08AkqvfmNVnHZGuc0Y-42dAlXBHKjmBd0SzwzBrsXNzSGCEW5mO7GOKCfIDi5FOFfdEOtTJMeXclz2OTz8mH8Zv3zSf7-bicbdWx4D7z1a/s320/IMG_1762.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Three stages in the garden- ready to harvest, seedlings and the empty patch where either it has JUST been planted or is waiting to be planted.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqG8VLO728m4NvvcVBiCBn_OM-LM9MOO2S6vXi5fnjLB2mlI-fIrsSlv_sPEQB40KyqNkxGqmINiFZXpYlMTLNQrUw3HaSqrcyT1LeLOuMwiHFG8hW6qVwpWSXTpUutkoSYMl/s1600/IMG_1763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqG8VLO728m4NvvcVBiCBn_OM-LM9MOO2S6vXi5fnjLB2mlI-fIrsSlv_sPEQB40KyqNkxGqmINiFZXpYlMTLNQrUw3HaSqrcyT1LeLOuMwiHFG8hW6qVwpWSXTpUutkoSYMl/s320/IMG_1763.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Potatoes in the shady spot in the garden. Just as well really because it can get a little warm in the later part of the growing season.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNwonwanv-uRjuGBcbNPfkR-oD50SMhZVisJRJbhYM2QLb1TM1r_EtwLIS9tbjexwdxaBkPI3pGWXVCNtpSqRk-J_2GWebWvPha414Vo_ihib0YMbg707TMimSll3bSS_uwZI/s1600/IMG_1764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNwonwanv-uRjuGBcbNPfkR-oD50SMhZVisJRJbhYM2QLb1TM1r_EtwLIS9tbjexwdxaBkPI3pGWXVCNtpSqRk-J_2GWebWvPha414Vo_ihib0YMbg707TMimSll3bSS_uwZI/s320/IMG_1764.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Protection, colonial style. This is a thin, waxed canvas and NOT plastic, but it follows the same principals as the poly-tunnels.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1WbeCrU_DjvgiAZawxjMuHLPc0UYf_EHRy2xTsewLWQ52Rjdg291FRrcY9BLUpjxHhf8a3OZJQkZZUDt76eT6C4AbA4VlUNSi5WTR7Ur2NWaw-3s6ERQLuyz2DYhwtNGhTuE/s1600/IMG_1767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1WbeCrU_DjvgiAZawxjMuHLPc0UYf_EHRy2xTsewLWQ52Rjdg291FRrcY9BLUpjxHhf8a3OZJQkZZUDt76eT6C4AbA4VlUNSi5WTR7Ur2NWaw-3s6ERQLuyz2DYhwtNGhTuE/s320/IMG_1767.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Colonial style tools abound.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgydvge3k6hlZtZjDKz5Sp_XKR4r4rn7qMUjrP3fi7GVKgVqaruwTDhGI1Nc0uPA0bDFDVcCIDgMfFFqhEczIzUQgdsgkJlB7ZOe77L1gRmDgnLJhTQpPUiCxhUgquf0QtKcHwq/s1600/IMG_1769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgydvge3k6hlZtZjDKz5Sp_XKR4r4rn7qMUjrP3fi7GVKgVqaruwTDhGI1Nc0uPA0bDFDVcCIDgMfFFqhEczIzUQgdsgkJlB7ZOe77L1gRmDgnLJhTQpPUiCxhUgquf0QtKcHwq/s320/IMG_1769.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGXG4VTMWKgqjZ0v2sYyjaBkLxGDpqZkcbq76BjMLiW7SGpasHqMQnpICWaVyz-szjrwp-13v-RfMguAIzpIAraK_jtdVI1i2oI6jPlWnDbT_mBvjGLFSrwf7HhfnPr6wlC0J/s1600/IMG_1771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGXG4VTMWKgqjZ0v2sYyjaBkLxGDpqZkcbq76BjMLiW7SGpasHqMQnpICWaVyz-szjrwp-13v-RfMguAIzpIAraK_jtdVI1i2oI6jPlWnDbT_mBvjGLFSrwf7HhfnPr6wlC0J/s320/IMG_1771.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>You often see them using one or another of the tools. I admit, I really liked the wheelbarrows!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnteeVE2AMzyXXxTT-ksHc0-XKD1qA2Cptt0qqZmd8dbBj3jR0C4xusNvgz-3-uG_-r6DU4jINVSVY2fJ2NW8Pc7AMEMoh1xIe5BV_yMMntBbrGmIz_z5EeEOSVEigfSUK6Bu/s1600/IMG_1772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnteeVE2AMzyXXxTT-ksHc0-XKD1qA2Cptt0qqZmd8dbBj3jR0C4xusNvgz-3-uG_-r6DU4jINVSVY2fJ2NW8Pc7AMEMoh1xIe5BV_yMMntBbrGmIz_z5EeEOSVEigfSUK6Bu/s320/IMG_1772.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Beans and onions.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihH45wzNqIxUU8u90yeTs1rdDH837-oRGi5KRFxidfdJKe8LsZNcGH-sVmOuyprouxps2FHpdKepjewMI60LpF6Zej7P61OPtWcd63YygHYL1WuhOm3saq-XQ3BAdEoQYDWIQ7/s1600/IMG_1774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihH45wzNqIxUU8u90yeTs1rdDH837-oRGi5KRFxidfdJKe8LsZNcGH-sVmOuyprouxps2FHpdKepjewMI60LpF6Zej7P61OPtWcd63YygHYL1WuhOm3saq-XQ3BAdEoQYDWIQ7/s320/IMG_1774.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Beets and parsnips. If you look to the top left you can see bell jars- another form of colonial protection for the crops.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUtpey7Za_dWOOEH7LmtTAOoG_9Db5cck77GKiaCn_VPxHBT_4fvPBqQm3DckbYg57ulvSk5amThRQKFyT-voQ0oQ_CrYMVrHTnKwLMAuDJ6_IcrrgsKz3L2wO28o9v7voHNG/s1600/IMG_1775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUtpey7Za_dWOOEH7LmtTAOoG_9Db5cck77GKiaCn_VPxHBT_4fvPBqQm3DckbYg57ulvSk5amThRQKFyT-voQ0oQ_CrYMVrHTnKwLMAuDJ6_IcrrgsKz3L2wO28o9v7voHNG/s320/IMG_1775.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>The colours here were amazing. And not just the flowers either!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1woGft7Esu0vnQ91TvSatuoEhI9qUPVO3qfa8OVEWgvKzbZLjk36jfIESSWR1XjsM6q3EK1fQXAk_PlzTvvNuuQ5SnU9vb7DeMrUzeDl85KUsCc-zKkjcI499wVAmr3leIC1/s1600/IMG_1779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1woGft7Esu0vnQ91TvSatuoEhI9qUPVO3qfa8OVEWgvKzbZLjk36jfIESSWR1XjsM6q3EK1fQXAk_PlzTvvNuuQ5SnU9vb7DeMrUzeDl85KUsCc-zKkjcI499wVAmr3leIC1/s320/IMG_1779.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Here you can see the living fence I mentioned- interlaced branches of what looks to be willow :) I am not sure about that though- even though I remember when he was weaving them I actually asked him about them!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXw3EMbMvnuTgTPYq5TDccv1lTgyfbiIDv5D99ofweSEFU-R6keBVqSZ0jlo9XwXFebtKBZcQPAe0vdPbg6Fa6BDuabO0NgHkEn8pBltLhZJvV8CCidL53ZTjZKUlzzb1AzG3K/s1600/IMG_1780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXw3EMbMvnuTgTPYq5TDccv1lTgyfbiIDv5D99ofweSEFU-R6keBVqSZ0jlo9XwXFebtKBZcQPAe0vdPbg6Fa6BDuabO0NgHkEn8pBltLhZJvV8CCidL53ZTjZKUlzzb1AzG3K/s320/IMG_1780.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The two pomegranate trees. I have not done them justice in the photo because the blooms are quite spectacular. I love them- and this is where my one came from!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5AX9cX5oRGtegUY5kCIhkNQ0lrarWM6TRxtGo_q0FtZbHwlGtvNTVJYgay231ESaPk1uR5mqbwUxgskSyxRPCqhAjOapcn-mOHCFtMywx1jwV9VZSDk0EOXzahmBcai_LURcH/s1600/IMG_1784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5AX9cX5oRGtegUY5kCIhkNQ0lrarWM6TRxtGo_q0FtZbHwlGtvNTVJYgay231ESaPk1uR5mqbwUxgskSyxRPCqhAjOapcn-mOHCFtMywx1jwV9VZSDk0EOXzahmBcai_LURcH/s320/IMG_1784.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GRg4JIf3ipituYs72QEwAWEC8RO3hyfXCpfFt5U5u1xCAIAliFEJTMxMW6dik91rX5q7gfOLy02Tg6WoLan6KSV5zuMA7Ovrx9Od7bgRuXvdLMz0dEntkBr1wXev4gyKDjzH/s1600/IMG_1787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GRg4JIf3ipituYs72QEwAWEC8RO3hyfXCpfFt5U5u1xCAIAliFEJTMxMW6dik91rX5q7gfOLy02Tg6WoLan6KSV5zuMA7Ovrx9Od7bgRuXvdLMz0dEntkBr1wXev4gyKDjzH/s320/IMG_1787.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The garden centre itself is a lot of fun. Lots of plants, heirloom seeds... and at Christmas, decorations for you to make your own 'Williamsburg Decorations'.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8qihyphenhyphenAm0O1oRRxp9Lqd0n5D-oqkvA9Q0-B2Bz6UT-Bs_HiZhQ77C7IcgNQ7rfRFuB3ejeX-R24HXtqN51-MJlk9XgQDiIK_fLLuTyxx1pT2KGx2LVEHGRCpZ_5n87VnF2p5X/s1600/IMG_1788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8qihyphenhyphenAm0O1oRRxp9Lqd0n5D-oqkvA9Q0-B2Bz6UT-Bs_HiZhQ77C7IcgNQ7rfRFuB3ejeX-R24HXtqN51-MJlk9XgQDiIK_fLLuTyxx1pT2KGx2LVEHGRCpZ_5n87VnF2p5X/s320/IMG_1788.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>And hats and bird houses and gravity feed watering cans... all sorts of colonial style fun!<br />
I went round the garden again to see more!<br />
I hope you enjoyed your tour around the Colonial Garden on DoG Street, Williamsburg!Spinnerettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18335780710513434157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21222437.post-15324222106422548292011-03-10T14:46:00.000-05:002011-03-10T14:46:57.451-05:00Another Year, another SpringLast summer was not a particularly fun one.<br />
Long and hot and dry, my plants suffered.<br />
It started in June. The first week of June we were in the 90's (that is degrees Fahrenheit) and it pretty much stayed there all summer!<br />
My plants whithered, or were eaten... and the hosepipe bans took their toll.<br />
I am hopeful this year will be better!!<br />
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My seeds are purchased (well the early spring ones anyway) and the beds tilled over. And if the rains stops, I can start to plant the seeds!<br />
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I thought that, in the meantime, I'd share some photos from some different gardens from last year!<br />
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coming up next... Williamsburg, May 2010Spinnerettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18335780710513434157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21222437.post-38829388472361170752010-05-31T20:39:00.000-05:002010-05-31T20:39:08.525-05:00Garden UpdateI keep meaning to update about my garden, but forgetting (although I <i>have</i> been taking the photos)... so here it is after a couple of weeks ;) I hope to have another guest garden post (or two) coming up too, so keep your eyes peeled!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgOGtLXQxnz66gKjZc8Hx6blTGjoboC39s5oQmz-3212JvGi7_XQzEkK9o4yqdM8BJ8ZrY7xoOGy_Anpn1XCjnTkPu-cbs8qza2aVlaEa9VutZ3JIZcxXugQPO7PmMlkLlr7J/s1600/IMG_1600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgOGtLXQxnz66gKjZc8Hx6blTGjoboC39s5oQmz-3212JvGi7_XQzEkK9o4yqdM8BJ8ZrY7xoOGy_Anpn1XCjnTkPu-cbs8qza2aVlaEa9VutZ3JIZcxXugQPO7PmMlkLlr7J/s320/IMG_1600.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>First up- "salad fixin's" ... quite lovely. You'll notice the broccoli is gone- cabbage white butterflies infested them- and flour did NOT dessicate them and kill them. They even got into the florets so no broccoli <i>again</i> this year. I have to change the way I do broccoli if I am to grow it again.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9yVNe6B6ynJzATJnqLvI58iKMNYi5wxxWQNe9QdP-QuPls0Lk78u2JqIC4kv-Qk6odHqwNCGmSGgSnF-BUKpKQP3LcqCMdCjqQZAyCwI6ZaJF8jSJkflh__SAE8U1Db2HJqr/s1600/IMG_1602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9yVNe6B6ynJzATJnqLvI58iKMNYi5wxxWQNe9QdP-QuPls0Lk78u2JqIC4kv-Qk6odHqwNCGmSGgSnF-BUKpKQP3LcqCMdCjqQZAyCwI6ZaJF8jSJkflh__SAE8U1Db2HJqr/s320/IMG_1602.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> You can see here my Jalapeno Peppers from last week. They were big enough to pick this week, and they are now on my counter ready to use in a recipe for stuffed jalapeno peppers.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJdAOCdlE_roMjdyLBSHqDT7j-STEFuwrVBYG0vSm3UJCrKNHfZXZO0FmWtPcpdm47RZ05x_z6EJlZ6R-hVqLqEZ9gQ0TQfIlfwy135LetFrxmWHmn3s0n7ThE7yndl6x6Ehw/s1600/IMG_1837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJdAOCdlE_roMjdyLBSHqDT7j-STEFuwrVBYG0vSm3UJCrKNHfZXZO0FmWtPcpdm47RZ05x_z6EJlZ6R-hVqLqEZ9gQ0TQfIlfwy135LetFrxmWHmn3s0n7ThE7yndl6x6Ehw/s320/IMG_1837.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> See? Beautiful aren't they? I love the way peppers look :)<br />
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This week I have some good looking tomatoes...<br />
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Both kinds of tomatoes are doing well- they seem to like the pots!<br />
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The other peppers- the poblanos... <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpLT5DSxVB0vJA1V6XPZj2qOkOcrsL7_sggEut4dONnAzcHWqttcz5I5Bf_al6sU-oB-e2FKJzH0pO-Ue54e26xwMniO7Ixyn7NQVUm4eQ71Qe0hx5SB4j24Rz4tD_eu7d9uE/s1600/IMG_1834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpLT5DSxVB0vJA1V6XPZj2qOkOcrsL7_sggEut4dONnAzcHWqttcz5I5Bf_al6sU-oB-e2FKJzH0pO-Ue54e26xwMniO7Ixyn7NQVUm4eQ71Qe0hx5SB4j24Rz4tD_eu7d9uE/s320/IMG_1834.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>-Which are really growing well here as you can see-<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynm2ZWlD8n4xChSHjY6ie6tUgmuGUwy_Qn-S9KKEWfGm6OEHcM5BzENikNj8jGofrbSfgz5j6-Yj999lH2Bj3qzERfk_Cv8sXss-KhF0V-xf5Qv3XIWlN9jpY0RqeTq3XmT7-/s1600/IMG_1838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynm2ZWlD8n4xChSHjY6ie6tUgmuGUwy_Qn-S9KKEWfGm6OEHcM5BzENikNj8jGofrbSfgz5j6-Yj999lH2Bj3qzERfk_Cv8sXss-KhF0V-xf5Qv3XIWlN9jpY0RqeTq3XmT7-/s320/IMG_1838.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>And the bell peppers, are coming along. This was the decapitated plant remember? Look - it has blooms :)<br />
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I am hoping for peppers soon ;)<br />
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Then there is the glorious pomegranate... with the neighbour's tree being cut down, it gets a lot more morning sunlight, and all of a sudden there are bunches of buds all over it :)<br />
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They look kind of like this before bursting into flower like the one below.<br />
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A colour that is just not captured well on camera! Still, they are quite lovely to see :)<br />
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Another lovely (and delicious) red fruit in the garden, would be my raspberries...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAw201LIvVvZnXXtj1qiwekaOZyxYgm0B87wfjw61Zp8E-WiDLVouQuOeWu5SvuUxUtVvJUy7GcNU1wn4eh4UXVnuDEPgesWM08UpmG3hDgqlC76FXFHC2Sq8hK_X4bDhnp2LS/s1600/IMG_1612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAw201LIvVvZnXXtj1qiwekaOZyxYgm0B87wfjw61Zp8E-WiDLVouQuOeWu5SvuUxUtVvJUy7GcNU1wn4eh4UXVnuDEPgesWM08UpmG3hDgqlC76FXFHC2Sq8hK_X4bDhnp2LS/s320/IMG_1612.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGFdtemIA9TL33JBNvymg86DvjM7zpxBPHUs3NRdRpJdxyI_pFxVOooH40dzoQOjBPvpjV8XY_qi09_JXAdHlsfQt1KPfmSDRW0elmVUxXvOFxuOcJ0psQXU7IPg_Tx6L8Orm/s1600/IMG_1847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGFdtemIA9TL33JBNvymg86DvjM7zpxBPHUs3NRdRpJdxyI_pFxVOooH40dzoQOjBPvpjV8XY_qi09_JXAdHlsfQt1KPfmSDRW0elmVUxXvOFxuOcJ0psQXU7IPg_Tx6L8Orm/s320/IMG_1847.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>The bushes are LOADED with them! I need to pick them and use them... but for what? Decisions... decisions...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFkUbL0BXlmFxwwdCVVSB8yLV3TfllWyybzJuf1QQgK9vT6lFUFA9clrSdB2MOiwQkuES4QaYTHvMSY4ZCjWnIY3Ku4CS9Oqsd9LFgdZvfxnenqxnev8GCpCC7kXVQqIY0wF8/s1600/IMG_1845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFkUbL0BXlmFxwwdCVVSB8yLV3TfllWyybzJuf1QQgK9vT6lFUFA9clrSdB2MOiwQkuES4QaYTHvMSY4ZCjWnIY3Ku4CS9Oqsd9LFgdZvfxnenqxnev8GCpCC7kXVQqIY0wF8/s320/IMG_1845.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Their neighbours the elderberries and blueberries are growing too... but something keeps eating my blueberries. I suspect the little brown rabbit we have seen in the garden at least twice this weekend!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZx9D6ntoq4zJ6_ZAsL1-a0Lnt9XphTgMEY11FXohY_vvpTG3nZJRIie7fcBcIQ-SSz11dWT8NCcaPt7hMQOFsx4P0g_3waN6pygx6V-7sawmAT3KJ17xM8xiLo0SlSD6JIay7/s1600/IMG_1610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZx9D6ntoq4zJ6_ZAsL1-a0Lnt9XphTgMEY11FXohY_vvpTG3nZJRIie7fcBcIQ-SSz11dWT8NCcaPt7hMQOFsx4P0g_3waN6pygx6V-7sawmAT3KJ17xM8xiLo0SlSD6JIay7/s320/IMG_1610.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>These blueberries are from LAST week- this week they are gone :(.<br />
There are a few pawpaws too... Not as many as I would like, although I suspect there are more than I can see easily ;)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-l1TeEE6u__GCCWc_UvSuFrGnge2MD8haPDwptm4r5anIkFGguFyi0UNLmMiHfoqCzLoiHcWfL8TlO_vaH-t7oul809pg-YBcok5VDqE5s2KyYPLEqIWCxthjuNyqbBM9Tyko/s1600/IMG_1615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-l1TeEE6u__GCCWc_UvSuFrGnge2MD8haPDwptm4r5anIkFGguFyi0UNLmMiHfoqCzLoiHcWfL8TlO_vaH-t7oul809pg-YBcok5VDqE5s2KyYPLEqIWCxthjuNyqbBM9Tyko/s320/IMG_1615.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The corn is also growing like mad... I like to brag that mine is the best looking corn around here ;)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLkPQn8IMOCDU7B_mkgoAsTnnKLGtLOzSGw3lM-llOM9KHty8fl8cfgUffvVGSUb6pkCnzw1C3PkiVQ7PWkJc-dAioXBxEpanROQgroQUe6Sl-i4hPsjfD5FfEFg3ctlGFyk_/s1600/IMG_1844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLkPQn8IMOCDU7B_mkgoAsTnnKLGtLOzSGw3lM-llOM9KHty8fl8cfgUffvVGSUb6pkCnzw1C3PkiVQ7PWkJc-dAioXBxEpanROQgroQUe6Sl-i4hPsjfD5FfEFg3ctlGFyk_/s320/IMG_1844.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>It is almost 4 foot tall, and looking good :)<br />
And my beans... they are flowering!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAwKJqnR0QDamOsoWOQwPIokM8LwigGjqXmEgk5g-CjjCqVXBXQVh51G-UG1bGwqon7BAfISkeuHQ88IZ4b30wyBt75qjGLFzqtPY90GJkjCV8lmlK6cAFxMu_dKePB3k28mV/s1600/IMG_1840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAwKJqnR0QDamOsoWOQwPIokM8LwigGjqXmEgk5g-CjjCqVXBXQVh51G-UG1bGwqon7BAfISkeuHQ88IZ4b30wyBt75qjGLFzqtPY90GJkjCV8lmlK6cAFxMu_dKePB3k28mV/s320/IMG_1840.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>These are the Lima beans :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpy_2jeLKD11KU-BnG2JATD6ueos-yNmEB_8cetOAqTWbr9sEFdzcMasZmVtQnixBXsTF4ij6JFbgixWubLINn4mW7W10KbhMNxal4MI2BENrLeVxnaoJOvQ-4-KtGcyppm65A/s1600/IMG_1839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpy_2jeLKD11KU-BnG2JATD6ueos-yNmEB_8cetOAqTWbr9sEFdzcMasZmVtQnixBXsTF4ij6JFbgixWubLINn4mW7W10KbhMNxal4MI2BENrLeVxnaoJOvQ-4-KtGcyppm65A/s320/IMG_1839.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>And here are the green beans :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWV19AJb61QiU-T9duUzh2hnjpgW-0Ox2FPyDQS1hc4FoA_aswNG4Kl0Cb6u7g3OPf9STQz3Rs_tozoCCKKURitCl05p2xco26116d34OU9LniN5Ia9UaefkJCzyAu05Qhy3X/s1600/IMG_1823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWV19AJb61QiU-T9duUzh2hnjpgW-0Ox2FPyDQS1hc4FoA_aswNG4Kl0Cb6u7g3OPf9STQz3Rs_tozoCCKKURitCl05p2xco26116d34OU9LniN5Ia9UaefkJCzyAu05Qhy3X/s320/IMG_1823.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span id="goog_258123018">Beautiful visitors come to the garden too- this is a Zebra Swallowtail on my pleurisy root.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRr3o43RqwZ2Hgr7ykY6JzIKXVekrK1QcCmOrK9ITYIuFcl3xh_olBniP_cuXJrHCRO6841XqSOst5Jkd2cF2tphP6E1g4I2Hx9ItK__aAuDKHEyF_5IixfX2AnF0e1wcCiv2k/s1600/IMG_1861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRr3o43RqwZ2Hgr7ykY6JzIKXVekrK1QcCmOrK9ITYIuFcl3xh_olBniP_cuXJrHCRO6841XqSOst5Jkd2cF2tphP6E1g4I2Hx9ItK__aAuDKHEyF_5IixfX2AnF0e1wcCiv2k/s320/IMG_1861.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>And a Tiger Swallowtail on the same ;) The pleurisy root is immensely popular- it is a relative of milkweed, so you know the monarchs like it too.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlPa1JcJzZhpA4ZsBEPdGon44KjfzxBHLVgsTpG2xi9rg9vspACJ14XwoGuu0nzWerunfBSeq9VBsxisdTfA10UW1MFQ2IW6brlZCOZbaD3uWmOhwtjMqw_mV0ksMEf5n4RST/s1600/IMG_1858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlPa1JcJzZhpA4ZsBEPdGon44KjfzxBHLVgsTpG2xi9rg9vspACJ14XwoGuu0nzWerunfBSeq9VBsxisdTfA10UW1MFQ2IW6brlZCOZbaD3uWmOhwtjMqw_mV0ksMEf5n4RST/s320/IMG_1858.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span id="goog_258123018">Some visitors are not so pretty- DD holds her 'friend' which she calls "Toady". Toady visits us a lot- so often in fact that he has no problems with being held ;)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span id="goog_258123018">So that's the garden this week... more later! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="goog_258123018"><br />
</span></div>Spinnerettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18335780710513434157noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21222437.post-87927281581637876252010-05-17T11:36:00.001-05:002010-05-17T11:36:20.269-05:00Like peas in a pod!<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rproffitt/4615954224/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4615954224_99108fa16b_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rproffitt/4615954224/">Like peas in a pod!</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/rproffitt/">Spinneretta</a></span></div>We've been harvesting! The peas are just ripening and are picked as they do- and eaten as they are :)<br />It is considered a treat here- I never manage to grow enough to satisfy the kids (or me for that matter).<br />Note for next time: plant at least two rows of squares...<br clear="all" />Spinnerettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18335780710513434157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21222437.post-83976492153061974652010-05-10T11:24:00.001-05:002010-05-10T11:25:35.376-05:00Mother's Day GardenMother's day in the garden is always fun! There is so much growing here in Central Virginia! The air is sweetly scented with honeysuckle and roses, and the birds are washing in the fountain!<br />My pomegranate has a bloom...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4AarMMds6V9BmenwiwcQPFZuJLqwtLIXuFUigMkAWsphj5eBzhZYI8ny2NpoZhhi9Dz_Glq5AQ7GYHZYp9lkYOVKoTOD3UFHNfgsG5v1bGZf8VudWA-hyPE9_401eD6VoThny/s1600/IMG_1457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4AarMMds6V9BmenwiwcQPFZuJLqwtLIXuFUigMkAWsphj5eBzhZYI8ny2NpoZhhi9Dz_Glq5AQ7GYHZYp9lkYOVKoTOD3UFHNfgsG5v1bGZf8VudWA-hyPE9_401eD6VoThny/s320/IMG_1457.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />Just the one so far. My neighbour has spoken about cutting down the trees- especially after one of them broke off in the gales this weekend!<br />My daughter loves these chive blossoms- you can pick them and use them to make a pink chive vinegar!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWCenlWnFSXRSgAYjTQYavp5baE5FI7eg0N1TqpCcAEiVuMDHjNIVlSWH51KXdR1V_Ok8G5ANSR2qYX0KTpPKBXGonCQMFoX3yO1iZLL_zKo5HVJP2QNYntI-4UC-U5_3aRQ3/s1600/IMG_1458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWCenlWnFSXRSgAYjTQYavp5baE5FI7eg0N1TqpCcAEiVuMDHjNIVlSWH51KXdR1V_Ok8G5ANSR2qYX0KTpPKBXGonCQMFoX3yO1iZLL_zKo5HVJP2QNYntI-4UC-U5_3aRQ3/s320/IMG_1458.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />My potatoes are getting huge- so I added a lot of mulch around them. After I watered them a LOT because the wind had dried out the ground so badly. I also transplanted one of the zucchinis I was growing into this bed.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObmWxNpjWNP9wwOjMlM84VZyOCQTdTzImx0jmeLfrRF90TdrriiFEdRqLoQrtgB45FbJRtOQervcm6ODCuOgtWoGbEn0jtEeSLIYN6h2QNBmHMbT9L396rEzgf2t2kc3QkxHt/s1600/IMG_1459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObmWxNpjWNP9wwOjMlM84VZyOCQTdTzImx0jmeLfrRF90TdrriiFEdRqLoQrtgB45FbJRtOQervcm6ODCuOgtWoGbEn0jtEeSLIYN6h2QNBmHMbT9L396rEzgf2t2kc3QkxHt/s320/IMG_1459.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /> The other one remains in the pot I planted them in:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81ulGIqRvDH3B5c1ACmpB9wBjk-sch4fIvaojnxw61b9JGhaudOewSyybGKCMu_2ab-8XF-JB9lIOPdvZFGtiyFBErxiJwjsV9rUBwEIbFgjq_Re8lUrCEBNP-Gt9D97_o87_/s1600/IMG_1387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81ulGIqRvDH3B5c1ACmpB9wBjk-sch4fIvaojnxw61b9JGhaudOewSyybGKCMu_2ab-8XF-JB9lIOPdvZFGtiyFBErxiJwjsV9rUBwEIbFgjq_Re8lUrCEBNP-Gt9D97_o87_/s320/IMG_1387.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Beauty Zucchini</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>My broccoli is beginning to flower too!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ78JiyuLkN2TZZVg9OeNqXzwafJaKc9pHUJFu7rw0s14_YImEmrDN2SypOWMu1D9tYGRwFiP2T1lh0QMN0jbsHaQcQETarEIx2LRkn3zIqRFaO6eRP2WumslJ0kl3FZvYPV6U/s1600/IMG_1386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ78JiyuLkN2TZZVg9OeNqXzwafJaKc9pHUJFu7rw0s14_YImEmrDN2SypOWMu1D9tYGRwFiP2T1lh0QMN0jbsHaQcQETarEIx2LRkn3zIqRFaO6eRP2WumslJ0kl3FZvYPV6U/s320/IMG_1386.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />See the tiny little floret in the middle there? Just the first three I planted are blooming yet- but I suspect the others will soon too.<br />You can also see that my lettuce and spinach are doing great too...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcAnq5i7bdbKr9C78S4ml7OxSJA7M4eGZ4Y-2MSphyphenhypheny27JF6XxEDRrDkHK0euTkVH_3vptdsJ3Mvvxf35rwLVdZ8agbf4pVTAEu_LiWgHEFbYrZ5suSzeKHjLuvp82oFJauyf/s1600/IMG_1460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcAnq5i7bdbKr9C78S4ml7OxSJA7M4eGZ4Y-2MSphyphenhypheny27JF6XxEDRrDkHK0euTkVH_3vptdsJ3Mvvxf35rwLVdZ8agbf4pVTAEu_LiWgHEFbYrZ5suSzeKHjLuvp82oFJauyf/s320/IMG_1460.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />I mulched around the broccoli because it'll help the roots to stay cooler, hopefully preventing it from bolting!<br />Something is munching on my spinach- but I am not sure what it is.<br />There are other triumphs occurring...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0kFVJ_rc7KfeVRhcDLktxsOyGwHsHQuRFKFqY0c2BSzOAceGW4JLsbsLCVbT0JtL-tnYlR7lZ_bLftQ1AgSu1Cdw3sOnZsrD5vWMzup-Dio2Q1PVr6-95JmzI4s5zZk6j28g/s1600/IMG_1384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0kFVJ_rc7KfeVRhcDLktxsOyGwHsHQuRFKFqY0c2BSzOAceGW4JLsbsLCVbT0JtL-tnYlR7lZ_bLftQ1AgSu1Cdw3sOnZsrD5vWMzup-Dio2Q1PVr6-95JmzI4s5zZk6j28g/s320/IMG_1384.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />PEAS! Yes, large numbers of pods have been spotted on my pea vines!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisE4YZM7yw6wy5lXtqf4wTaUXhylYsrWPa0TRueAgeOncW9-QulN0CnLG40vlqG8jYwknE5V6S534xs5Z2-gKTJYKeHfUHxuVw6G-DpzjAsaSyh5ZXsnepWrpSgKfGFXv0r3wM/s1600/IMG_1383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisE4YZM7yw6wy5lXtqf4wTaUXhylYsrWPa0TRueAgeOncW9-QulN0CnLG40vlqG8jYwknE5V6S534xs5Z2-gKTJYKeHfUHxuVw6G-DpzjAsaSyh5ZXsnepWrpSgKfGFXv0r3wM/s320/IMG_1383.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />These are a shelling variety- so I have to wait for the pods to fatten up before I get to pick them.<br /><br />I also have baby tomatoes.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uBAWExbYe2rshd42lIptQhcZoG-fb_M33gVrdG579ttFYFanjzVKUAmFQsaejy57GzNfACIWmbsnnqgyfdwrfMonlZJNd3TJdIr1nswDQWah2xNvpP2DWJNNSkBDXAoze8iz/s1600/IMG_1388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uBAWExbYe2rshd42lIptQhcZoG-fb_M33gVrdG579ttFYFanjzVKUAmFQsaejy57GzNfACIWmbsnnqgyfdwrfMonlZJNd3TJdIr1nswDQWah2xNvpP2DWJNNSkBDXAoze8iz/s320/IMG_1388.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />These are the sungold ones, so not much longer until I can actually eat them ;) And they are not the only ones...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The other tomato is blooming!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSpS4tdIxiPz8VMUqkH_32vc-_C9VT333YtJHQZyDiOVICPzL7KXXxhUzazkx2NOLMZ_EBUzbLEfyiGxa-GF2k41gFghv5rPhmpmslwgHzUyTqds20G0bmsjKv2qOI225Xll5/s1600/IMG_1390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSpS4tdIxiPz8VMUqkH_32vc-_C9VT333YtJHQZyDiOVICPzL7KXXxhUzazkx2NOLMZ_EBUzbLEfyiGxa-GF2k41gFghv5rPhmpmslwgHzUyTqds20G0bmsjKv2qOI225Xll5/s320/IMG_1390.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And so is the other pepper!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HYe9b3RZbo3czdLZqUTgzibmByDSNQFjQmMv73i5Q0JSyGuALsCwZOm0zGno9cdZWPldaV3O52Egd3SV5siTXzBMJE0WIJC26W_geGi97DFp7j_UlpYoaMjrA8ATC_HNq9La/s1600/IMG_1393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HYe9b3RZbo3czdLZqUTgzibmByDSNQFjQmMv73i5Q0JSyGuALsCwZOm0zGno9cdZWPldaV3O52Egd3SV5siTXzBMJE0WIJC26W_geGi97DFp7j_UlpYoaMjrA8ATC_HNq9La/s320/IMG_1393.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And in the best news of all- the decapitated pepper has sprung back:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHD_FJO0aK-taGknaMfYtxh-hnhBCljdT6GKBPU9hiQXMVEFYhwQJ7zrF32BdlgS9CWEKeBLh8Q4oFnaVmh92m91LjV0NfAlvDMcPRvkdhWPkii6NeR4RFA5T1lej-HLyhOO_m/s1600/IMG_1391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHD_FJO0aK-taGknaMfYtxh-hnhBCljdT6GKBPU9hiQXMVEFYhwQJ7zrF32BdlgS9CWEKeBLh8Q4oFnaVmh92m91LjV0NfAlvDMcPRvkdhWPkii6NeR4RFA5T1lej-HLyhOO_m/s320/IMG_1391.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNNaSG2BvA5BMuvbA3Y6-RYycLQkh8ELqBAtdviwzEGvP-J9hSOpavk2iT_pEBRuqnD4n5xWdQPk37f9j9UVhqtloGYuYcCM7Oup1Qu8MOg4KJXbuVbWW77r_g64UyLg2jNv5/s1600/IMG_1462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>Look at all those new leaves!<br />My beans are growing like the proverbial weed. I nicely used a yardstick so you could see that ;)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirHFaYZt1kQ8c-2FvvcqXdLw-pIPSJS4XqN02U0ajsfhT_gjILZX16wvSMySh6sxXSpbPbJxlPqcPEs0pmAJINJrhx3WxJDhbf8U-KgqadMQ7dq3UGRGD0InA4i_1973GkQ8JE/s1600/IMG_1463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirHFaYZt1kQ8c-2FvvcqXdLw-pIPSJS4XqN02U0ajsfhT_gjILZX16wvSMySh6sxXSpbPbJxlPqcPEs0pmAJINJrhx3WxJDhbf8U-KgqadMQ7dq3UGRGD0InA4i_1973GkQ8JE/s320/IMG_1463.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />As are their cousins the lima beans:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvckvDnCi2seEYbWClrs8pbypW0wiWrwaq96WJt0AwrEQIZYkEt-avEzqbZ2HOgi5Qwq86K6vLNiYw-9WwKKevUtaahYbDap992PNmQIl9AW4vEprDWchZ5-pZmPXD3V8WKIbl/s1600/IMG_1461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvckvDnCi2seEYbWClrs8pbypW0wiWrwaq96WJt0AwrEQIZYkEt-avEzqbZ2HOgi5Qwq86K6vLNiYw-9WwKKevUtaahYbDap992PNmQIl9AW4vEprDWchZ5-pZmPXD3V8WKIbl/s320/IMG_1461.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />Those I did not measure for you!<br />Speaking of beans, take a look at these blackeyed peas...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Q1m_Kr0OCDjjunUE7ypWDHUPY_y8L23S7oXWx5gCYHjw0_7y41ZW3-gGFQKMKY_DMecpwM2YXfZlSh2fVsF3IyMEKYuC69B7eFjq7gfZ1AxwGuOWVle17g0Wc-871P9jnoej/s1600/IMG_1392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Q1m_Kr0OCDjjunUE7ypWDHUPY_y8L23S7oXWx5gCYHjw0_7y41ZW3-gGFQKMKY_DMecpwM2YXfZlSh2fVsF3IyMEKYuC69B7eFjq7gfZ1AxwGuOWVle17g0Wc-871P9jnoej/s320/IMG_1392.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />They were part of my daughter's science experiment- she chose to grow blackeyed peas from the jar of them we had for cooking. She is quite proud of their progress- and I am amazed at how well they are doing.<br />I have a couple of swiss chard plants too. Here is one. Yes, I have picked a couple of leaves from the chard, spinach and lettuce. They make great salads!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0kFVJ_rc7KfeVRhcDLktxsOyGwHsHQuRFKFqY0c2BSzOAceGW4JLsbsLCVbT0JtL-tnYlR7lZ_bLftQ1AgSu1Cdw3sOnZsrD5vWMzup-Dio2Q1PVr6-95JmzI4s5zZk6j28g/s1600/IMG_1384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZCD7yWV3p8QEO1tmWfrqfM9MNLALaA6HW-_xvKUlwux2Arp98Vp918KO-LIkD7m-_b9sSVGIBqRjhaRugeiromEDBtnQs4wlZwGecs7l9bBF0QT3oVYLzIQIGAANdcvAO31p/s1600/IMG_1385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZCD7yWV3p8QEO1tmWfrqfM9MNLALaA6HW-_xvKUlwux2Arp98Vp918KO-LIkD7m-_b9sSVGIBqRjhaRugeiromEDBtnQs4wlZwGecs7l9bBF0QT3oVYLzIQIGAANdcvAO31p/s320/IMG_1385.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />And in the square next to this one, I transplated the other of my straightneck yellow squash- whose sibling can be seen in it's original pot below...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YdcneT9Wyl1Hk6NZnrUHvUkjyr9nW03VshgMPJykCPxJjfNQBhLQPrU3cYfqhwcTB5kGAVYJgntTc3aMAqZX-gq4scFdeAs92p9c6SuOQhLD4VzECjhYz6Vr3wfR6KQI9NQJ/s1600/IMG_1389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YdcneT9Wyl1Hk6NZnrUHvUkjyr9nW03VshgMPJykCPxJjfNQBhLQPrU3cYfqhwcTB5kGAVYJgntTc3aMAqZX-gq4scFdeAs92p9c6SuOQhLD4VzECjhYz6Vr3wfR6KQI9NQJ/s320/IMG_1389.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ78JiyuLkN2TZZVg9OeNqXzwafJaKc9pHUJFu7rw0s14_YImEmrDN2SypOWMu1D9tYGRwFiP2T1lh0QMN0jbsHaQcQETarEIx2LRkn3zIqRFaO6eRP2WumslJ0kl3FZvYPV6U/s1600/IMG_1386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>The carrots are also doing well. The wind dried out the soil terrible though and it seems kind of rocky. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uBAWExbYe2rshd42lIptQhcZoG-fb_M33gVrdG579ttFYFanjzVKUAmFQsaejy57GzNfACIWmbsnnqgyfdwrfMonlZJNd3TJdIr1nswDQWah2xNvpP2DWJNNSkBDXAoze8iz/s1600/IMG_1388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1unBgm5G0gsijwB5FGqEVRRsCSeVqK7CYjlRfasm5zDuFnQAKnF-eHqCKqRCVKXKxnw-BVuNw2KOKJl9cVojOlHqva4k3ZhrUPHJRmPN7xSjiwOHVivY0nln9faD9cR4A-Iq/s1600/IMG_1464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1unBgm5G0gsijwB5FGqEVRRsCSeVqK7CYjlRfasm5zDuFnQAKnF-eHqCKqRCVKXKxnw-BVuNw2KOKJl9cVojOlHqva4k3ZhrUPHJRmPN7xSjiwOHVivY0nln9faD9cR4A-Iq/s320/IMG_1464.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />Finally the showpiece- corn with roses! Yes I measured that for you too...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNNaSG2BvA5BMuvbA3Y6-RYycLQkh8ELqBAtdviwzEGvP-J9hSOpavk2iT_pEBRuqnD4n5xWdQPk37f9j9UVhqtloGYuYcCM7Oup1Qu8MOg4KJXbuVbWW77r_g64UyLg2jNv5/s1600/IMG_1462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNNaSG2BvA5BMuvbA3Y6-RYycLQkh8ELqBAtdviwzEGvP-J9hSOpavk2iT_pEBRuqnD4n5xWdQPk37f9j9UVhqtloGYuYcCM7Oup1Qu8MOg4KJXbuVbWW77r_g64UyLg2jNv5/s320/IMG_1462.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvckvDnCi2seEYbWClrs8pbypW0wiWrwaq96WJt0AwrEQIZYkEt-avEzqbZ2HOgi5Qwq86K6vLNiYw-9WwKKevUtaahYbDap992PNmQIl9AW4vEprDWchZ5-pZmPXD3V8WKIbl/s1600/IMG_1461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>Spinnerettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18335780710513434157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21222437.post-57134872501792919572010-05-09T23:43:00.002-05:002010-05-09T23:46:03.532-05:00Guest Garden: Agecroft Hall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjww_Mqez7G0hk98fU5cVy3U51-1rIG4sVkU2DbpXZVBsNMPCfyqDpMI8Dyev5O_zlYcyZ62Kr7xhxf8qf1ezj_qpRilrOUIJ9FjRLgxo84wwjwt7jphaA-q68KwtYmtenfZjCs/s1600/IMG_1404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjww_Mqez7G0hk98fU5cVy3U51-1rIG4sVkU2DbpXZVBsNMPCfyqDpMI8Dyev5O_zlYcyZ62Kr7xhxf8qf1ezj_qpRilrOUIJ9FjRLgxo84wwjwt7jphaA-q68KwtYmtenfZjCs/s320/IMG_1404.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://www.agecrofthall.com/">Agecroft Hall</a> is a 15th century English manor house. It was transported from England to Virginia back in the early part of the 20th century, after it's original location in the heart of coal mining territory, meant that the house had become unstable.<br />It is a truly beautiful house, rescued but not rebuilt <span style="font-style: italic;">exactly<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span></span></span>to the original plans. The wealthy philanthropist who rescued it had willed it to become a museum after his wife no longer lived there. She and the people in control of the trust decided to make it a museum representing late renaissance and Tudor/Stuart life in England.<br />It is beautifully decorated with period pieces, but the gardens are of course, what interest us :)<br />Coming out of the courtyard of the house you can choose to go down hidden garden paths and into a sunken garden- designed to be like that at Hampton Court Palace in London.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKqA6NqyjEQbKAUlBh43AuTY4buSmMXVYxq14aC52_Edw8RHBfvSoXhCruUXJV0CCzLBujvb80PfkXZyCrqXBGEy3TNiQ0EpCOy6tjx1K8ryYRzmSbJIXIts_GhI8dAi0Gqz7/s1600/IMG_1407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKqA6NqyjEQbKAUlBh43AuTY4buSmMXVYxq14aC52_Edw8RHBfvSoXhCruUXJV0CCzLBujvb80PfkXZyCrqXBGEy3TNiQ0EpCOy6tjx1K8ryYRzmSbJIXIts_GhI8dAi0Gqz7/s320/IMG_1407.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />It leads out to more secluded pathways, and you might find yourself at an outdoor banquetting hall- the docent told me that people would eat their desserts there after a banquet in the house. Below the hall is a still-room- where herbal preparations were made by the ladies of the house.<br /><br /><table class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dVTOJ4GMGQ7sKtv6nuje4mNHo-WvBhS2f_QUTcEOed7PmY1Egn6Od7EdTOrDS44DMHSmuopwCHFFCf-Fa1E-Uwv0mWuZZwb2yXdBd4WMSVSFpw9sXUgsUzUUl4hC9hyMuXTf/s1600/IMG_1409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dVTOJ4GMGQ7sKtv6nuje4mNHo-WvBhS2f_QUTcEOed7PmY1Egn6Od7EdTOrDS44DMHSmuopwCHFFCf-Fa1E-Uwv0mWuZZwb2yXdBd4WMSVSFpw9sXUgsUzUUl4hC9hyMuXTf/s320/IMG_1409.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banquetting Hall</td></tr></tbody></table>If you turn around, you can look out over the rolling hills and down to the James river. It is astonishingly like the land it originally came from in Northern England.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ugDoAC7BO7yp6fUtM-NjeuakJnOSseYqy-LtEn-xJ7J1l4_TZPaDtGigIeW9Zfqb4R_Yx4h3ueeAQ8YOVpqgv59D5s5CT35X65Tisl_bQcStjKr4F6TVtuCgc-m_Z5fRlcqu/s1600/IMG_1410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ugDoAC7BO7yp6fUtM-NjeuakJnOSseYqy-LtEn-xJ7J1l4_TZPaDtGigIeW9Zfqb4R_Yx4h3ueeAQ8YOVpqgv59D5s5CT35X65Tisl_bQcStjKr4F6TVtuCgc-m_Z5fRlcqu/s320/IMG_1410.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />Coming out of the banquetting hall, you might sneak through another opening in the hedge, and find yourself overlooking extensive formal gardens.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLBDjCEQYjw96KVHDRqlqnqVJ8d5ZYwSkC-QOG6jQUg5lnyzVZ63yhhkmJjYaT-Soj97sUgrk-3oIZbKZkty4sS9WQET_62zEDRBkbeNXZVpYjNZ3Un_h2FVWl1YLPC4qXvMr/s1600/IMG_1414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLBDjCEQYjw96KVHDRqlqnqVJ8d5ZYwSkC-QOG6jQUg5lnyzVZ63yhhkmJjYaT-Soj97sUgrk-3oIZbKZkty4sS9WQET_62zEDRBkbeNXZVpYjNZ3Un_h2FVWl1YLPC4qXvMr/s320/IMG_1414.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />Pass through a wrought iron gate...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2NbTSeCcOZOUdH2j_yCo4aUxAfMdXiOgVlRsWMcKBKEu4V9mBVIxHQei6xpnzdm9_CgSDwcV0C-vk1TSacS9xIjAe58z9kMi1eMxCqqOvwypShw1eXHDMhKkzt-0iUR6sFci/s1600/IMG_1416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2NbTSeCcOZOUdH2j_yCo4aUxAfMdXiOgVlRsWMcKBKEu4V9mBVIxHQei6xpnzdm9_CgSDwcV0C-vk1TSacS9xIjAe58z9kMi1eMxCqqOvwypShw1eXHDMhKkzt-0iUR6sFci/s320/IMG_1416.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />The first is a herb garden- outfitted with all the culinary and medicinal herbs of the time- plus a few bee skeps!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbmNVsy-voZTg439Cga6IxaFPOu6hYsgw7fIUIBRACjJUurJ7sjc7WNGI0RieKxsHxMF8cGoSRGleG3HKp4PxtUhaHN96e2sa2G4jKF6rrShGDL39OfuR_COhVEKM1mY1WGSw/s1600/IMG_1417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbmNVsy-voZTg439Cga6IxaFPOu6hYsgw7fIUIBRACjJUurJ7sjc7WNGI0RieKxsHxMF8cGoSRGleG3HKp4PxtUhaHN96e2sa2G4jKF6rrShGDL39OfuR_COhVEKM1mY1WGSw/s320/IMG_1417.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwknV1iKFJ-Ve2tREz-3PCBlYj3q8jKpZ-MyA1mMl1on6UldMGAsgP1TLeQN7tYgTd0nEUZZALVa1-pqbx__YNAFVLYXKDAOdg0YB_3qQdUoBOZdgzHlty0Df4uH3zzoto8HR/s1600/IMG_1423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwknV1iKFJ-Ve2tREz-3PCBlYj3q8jKpZ-MyA1mMl1on6UldMGAsgP1TLeQN7tYgTd0nEUZZALVa1-pqbx__YNAFVLYXKDAOdg0YB_3qQdUoBOZdgzHlty0Df4uH3zzoto8HR/s320/IMG_1423.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2qIg-eDeajKFfXfbe_Fa6U9y0INrxzxa8mG1qsW8xmDjP-2uJSEgAYZuHBgtXQRfY8SSblMe4J6IkM-rdkXEkNDCQqPLSyqjPKu2VgbSg29zAHV4yAQ2haRvuIQPB0OgDQk3/s1600/IMG_1420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2qIg-eDeajKFfXfbe_Fa6U9y0INrxzxa8mG1qsW8xmDjP-2uJSEgAYZuHBgtXQRfY8SSblMe4J6IkM-rdkXEkNDCQqPLSyqjPKu2VgbSg29zAHV4yAQ2haRvuIQPB0OgDQk3/s320/IMG_1420.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />Up the steps and you arrive in the Tradescantia garden.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfw2Rr0Vzd6NuEkprXdoko8UDjtG-60FSu866G1dpD-KpR_5iossXdFdrLvhZzcN5ILEv314HY3UBokP3V3iwYh6fH1OCx_LD_nDUfV-Q1rwaYOLCNZo-zZJuHmNZHyvQmX5JV/s1600/IMG_1425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfw2Rr0Vzd6NuEkprXdoko8UDjtG-60FSu866G1dpD-KpR_5iossXdFdrLvhZzcN5ILEv314HY3UBokP3V3iwYh6fH1OCx_LD_nDUfV-Q1rwaYOLCNZo-zZJuHmNZHyvQmX5JV/s320/IMG_1425.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />Here are representatives of the numerous flora discovered by John Tradescant the elder and his son <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Tradescant_the_younger">John Tradescant the Younger</a>. In fact- they have the spiderwort you can see in my garden!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgly_GR_6MezLV0AcZ9Z6aW0Y_Iz2l4_ZGG0d2cgK-IKThjg4hCmVfNxoHiW3y1gFL3tz5BwWuv2UJte3XjhGiMXy4JnncXERumSE6wopfzZBvyRbA3FxbYIQyoxpdkipprHBZT/s1600/IMG_1426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgly_GR_6MezLV0AcZ9Z6aW0Y_Iz2l4_ZGG0d2cgK-IKThjg4hCmVfNxoHiW3y1gFL3tz5BwWuv2UJte3XjhGiMXy4JnncXERumSE6wopfzZBvyRbA3FxbYIQyoxpdkipprHBZT/s320/IMG_1426.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />Up a second series of steps and you arrive in a knot garden. Knot gardens were <span style="font-style: italic;">very</span> fashionable in Tudor times- tiny hedges of herbs were clipped into intricate patterns. It is NOT easy to do- we tried it once :) Establishing the plants into an even hedge would be the most difficult part- since typically one or two plants will die on you!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhn_A-qThzDuAXJNEKglr2EpCmPAavWQTReQShsr7VfBCI2q8QAvpLRyO9kq3KnXDdFXL2J1on0DqStG-AqBot4dmTZkRHL83I4rC2j09U62symYSZETzm9Df_7-jxMIRSTwr8/s1600/IMG_1427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhn_A-qThzDuAXJNEKglr2EpCmPAavWQTReQShsr7VfBCI2q8QAvpLRyO9kq3KnXDdFXL2J1on0DqStG-AqBot4dmTZkRHL83I4rC2j09U62symYSZETzm9Df_7-jxMIRSTwr8/s320/IMG_1427.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebD7GuqajR2JBcIErI1lDPO0bBiCLllvPz6PzOBTdcP0wc3bsgjkkEJbSfP2cLvYhwSbP052BbVZia9uHuXuW_VEDNgTQYwePzcf3c_4uwdhrhwMS_8XDiJBQSAYA4SebJocI/s1600/IMG_1428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebD7GuqajR2JBcIErI1lDPO0bBiCLllvPz6PzOBTdcP0wc3bsgjkkEJbSfP2cLvYhwSbP052BbVZia9uHuXuW_VEDNgTQYwePzcf3c_4uwdhrhwMS_8XDiJBQSAYA4SebJocI/s320/IMG_1428.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgHz8ZSAug0NuEjo_3YKWfbZKspDOS-5GG_-ca4m00Tcq0fqOg66P-GdyvPiPcqRgwV3LhHEjhRxxR8fcyhPtn70Ag0xpQsea3r8Zi4Ymsso68ROLeKr3XjvaECjHigkei_Jg/s1600/IMG_1429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgHz8ZSAug0NuEjo_3YKWfbZKspDOS-5GG_-ca4m00Tcq0fqOg66P-GdyvPiPcqRgwV3LhHEjhRxxR8fcyhPtn70Ag0xpQsea3r8Zi4Ymsso68ROLeKr3XjvaECjHigkei_Jg/s320/IMG_1429.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />If you walk back through the formal gardens and out, you'll come to the rolling hills again, and be beneath that banquet hall.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_PSog8AOp7X9DLFoT_atGYRAqNhaOqUtvtAl5YdgvC4rNEulBtLRw161PCDK6VO6CR9UnC783JUa5U2oVEsc5aDnHv6BQmAE6fxQoxCfNIXDyHeuT8OLK0PC1SOhSVcTgzEH/s1600/IMG_1433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_PSog8AOp7X9DLFoT_atGYRAqNhaOqUtvtAl5YdgvC4rNEulBtLRw161PCDK6VO6CR9UnC783JUa5U2oVEsc5aDnHv6BQmAE6fxQoxCfNIXDyHeuT8OLK0PC1SOhSVcTgzEH/s320/IMG_1433.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />A magnificent magnolia dominates the hillside- the air was redolent with that sweet scent.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGMJBywkNAPxBMkomfdmliYiKw6-WZGc9nDQpytVfljPYw_blgyyRJ2FrBjB62EBraLPCnbD-tr9HoyTsG3vgzdXNfYo1X_tZVnr9RpczbjvzpQd-OVUwD-VjpSet3jahLuRw/s1600/IMG_1434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGMJBywkNAPxBMkomfdmliYiKw6-WZGc9nDQpytVfljPYw_blgyyRJ2FrBjB62EBraLPCnbD-tr9HoyTsG3vgzdXNfYo1X_tZVnr9RpczbjvzpQd-OVUwD-VjpSet3jahLuRw/s320/IMG_1434.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />Further up the hill and you meet the maze! It's a grass maze- nothing spectacular- but mazes were hugely popluar back then too. I wonder if they did that because of Hampton Court too- because if so, they got it wrong! Hampton Court had HUGE 6 foot tall hedges. I heard they got rid of it though!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPH_4LUQ4jb3s-zhpaS5_EV_81_L-tc6df9i6ZXWlEKl11p3UsWMJnQGADp5x1wl8jwbiMwh75cykj6bKrt8C1wr4dzHG0zWysLBZV0wy8dNOc5UfNrMz5dCIkp3EfNJ7BrO9/s1600/IMG_1442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPH_4LUQ4jb3s-zhpaS5_EV_81_L-tc6df9i6ZXWlEKl11p3UsWMJnQGADp5x1wl8jwbiMwh75cykj6bKrt8C1wr4dzHG0zWysLBZV0wy8dNOc5UfNrMz5dCIkp3EfNJ7BrO9/s320/IMG_1442.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTT9w0sIDiVc9vHONLbBlkEnTk-7JbDT3RZLH3ui2c5jabBcsZSIcvwUHVQPXzzMRrE0C-btLLlPZcZg2g2GqRrk2ashGov3N8nYAEIUu2C71SJWTriXbyE8f5zF1ch0xP3yj/s1600/IMG_1443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTT9w0sIDiVc9vHONLbBlkEnTk-7JbDT3RZLH3ui2c5jabBcsZSIcvwUHVQPXzzMRrE0C-btLLlPZcZg2g2GqRrk2ashGov3N8nYAEIUu2C71SJWTriXbyE8f5zF1ch0xP3yj/s320/IMG_1443.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />If you go off of the terrace on the back of the house, you find a rose walk- where modern roses bloom effusively and scent the air.<br /><br /><table class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwZeUV1UJgvhTHLbNieC3GYSK_VlpNEracDDx_L2M1KElqbtJAe6W5N7RJusP6hyphenhyphenxSf5bqv6St9sRl6PeVdqr8MfembHDyLW81sWPVv0E4OrhuAP2sfFg_MyHsU3CAZtzQPXO/s1600/IMG_1445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwZeUV1UJgvhTHLbNieC3GYSK_VlpNEracDDx_L2M1KElqbtJAe6W5N7RJusP6hyphenhyphenxSf5bqv6St9sRl6PeVdqr8MfembHDyLW81sWPVv0E4OrhuAP2sfFg_MyHsU3CAZtzQPXO/s320/IMG_1445.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terrace</td></tr></tbody></table>I recognised this one- it is the crazy one in my front garden- the 1939 New Dawn rose. I'm thinking that I need to do this across the driveway though!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBu8hkoJ8m2JPDolJYyq7WRJ-ckxpptZ8Sry4jSUSK7QgKaVsEcqg1sgE6vRERJM611QB500m2qsjOeDj8_-7tPrguu1tad0UJVQFNo5_RE6-OttYABhGPakwGrHrPogFPOoKh/s1600/IMG_1447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBu8hkoJ8m2JPDolJYyq7WRJ-ckxpptZ8Sry4jSUSK7QgKaVsEcqg1sgE6vRERJM611QB500m2qsjOeDj8_-7tPrguu1tad0UJVQFNo5_RE6-OttYABhGPakwGrHrPogFPOoKh/s320/IMG_1447.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />There are more plants I did not get to photograph- people were all over the place! I managed to get the highlights though!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4NnTf2lBeHZBrZ5Z_q08aZSMr2nne5ZQLzpDmaP5-apQkWCEWbN83zejFPXEuH7KjLSt9FDJvY_9jVtfbXteaOrTSbrY8UQ_rXjI_J9FF53O3EieOKUdwVkoIr24b4CDL2sPW/s1600/IMG_1451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4NnTf2lBeHZBrZ5Z_q08aZSMr2nne5ZQLzpDmaP5-apQkWCEWbN83zejFPXEuH7KjLSt9FDJvY_9jVtfbXteaOrTSbrY8UQ_rXjI_J9FF53O3EieOKUdwVkoIr24b4CDL2sPW/s320/IMG_1451.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />Next door, is another English transplant- <a href="http://www.vahistorical.org/vh/virginia_house01.htm">the Virginia House</a>, which was once a priory.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNJpGoAVH1bgeP6eE4-MiUkkD2yzrldJEO3daUwmOZrqUaHnxHETw74NmecXfMzzp-8WsIqsq_xKKZa8GN-18WoKv3H70u6BKNoAdMEJJDe8q7navBbAtQk1GHUA13gLVmjHi/s1600/IMG_1452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNJpGoAVH1bgeP6eE4-MiUkkD2yzrldJEO3daUwmOZrqUaHnxHETw74NmecXfMzzp-8WsIqsq_xKKZa8GN-18WoKv3H70u6BKNoAdMEJJDe8q7navBbAtQk1GHUA13gLVmjHi/s320/IMG_1452.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />It has some nice gardens too- my everlasting memory from there is treading the paths to the smell of mint- a closer look revealed corsican mint between the pavers on that path! I can only show you outside though, because it was closed!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOynYfwIOAWuelJvc8nB9ts4lqc0_NpdT9E_-aIMP-HkaJPb2tp7YSYfz6RtwL-VfYXOxpOsAQM0Nsb2hDrYeIniOCxXYGLNrnRkJMdcYiD7AcEDF8duo7YGUxkMPOZ06uYshS/s1600/IMG_1453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOynYfwIOAWuelJvc8nB9ts4lqc0_NpdT9E_-aIMP-HkaJPb2tp7YSYfz6RtwL-VfYXOxpOsAQM0Nsb2hDrYeIniOCxXYGLNrnRkJMdcYiD7AcEDF8duo7YGUxkMPOZ06uYshS/s320/IMG_1453.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXN8m5BrqNp1FhLz_tBFQEfUKS6xQ5j2qBAhlhR6Oo_18uzUsurEfzngHwfaPVQezogP9ZrXSYDzlIwnrbHNnKbqZW0Bu3ww5hsRp44BJ_Cmn-E7dhucoFfehS5fyRnwHKlORo/s1600/IMG_1455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXN8m5BrqNp1FhLz_tBFQEfUKS6xQ5j2qBAhlhR6Oo_18uzUsurEfzngHwfaPVQezogP9ZrXSYDzlIwnrbHNnKbqZW0Bu3ww5hsRp44BJ_Cmn-E7dhucoFfehS5fyRnwHKlORo/s320/IMG_1455.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />If you get to visit Richmond, Virginia, then take a look at these two magnificent homes!Spinnerettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18335780710513434157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21222437.post-79179718428845643892010-05-09T23:03:00.001-05:002010-05-09T23:04:39.668-05:00Guest Garden: Bacon's CastleBacon's Castle is a Jacobean house situated in Surry, Virginia. The tour guides tell me it is the oldest High Jacobean brick house in America - I can assure you it is definitely a beautiful one!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uugRjI48OB0MstYpVjSquYi-WUWh6qIRP0QDtGpPDcfFnzC5UgvHJ-RZGcm4HwOuoqkWY7jN01XfIFgqax4VBJwCbLBu9DkVVJIggMWfH7tx_tphbq_OlXb_VXrdL-MEfIKv/s1600/IMG_1372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uugRjI48OB0MstYpVjSquYi-WUWh6qIRP0QDtGpPDcfFnzC5UgvHJ-RZGcm4HwOuoqkWY7jN01XfIFgqax4VBJwCbLBu9DkVVJIggMWfH7tx_tphbq_OlXb_VXrdL-MEfIKv/s320/IMG_1372.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />The original structure is the one with the peaked roof on the left- the other two were built a couple of centuries later. Yes, here in America is a house whose history is measured in <i>centuries</i> rather than decades!<br />Isn't it pretty?<br />The gardens are legendary. The original owner (a wealthy English settler) imported English loam <i>just</i> so he could grow the things he was used to... and when the house finally came into the hands of Preservation Virginia (otherwise known as the <a href="http://www.apva.org/">Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities</a>) the gardens were long gone. Lucky for them, a previous owner had drawn a plan and they finally found them...<br />Nowdays, they are taken care of by volunteers- so of the six original beds, two are farmed and four remain as lawns.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQEFZK5O_Wr_P55RN8ZpNB4oy-Ahj7aifr-CSSCzjfKGppPAFbjiIuExIQKIae-pqMT3gKimi9sK5VUqidVVBNKeUYW9w-2k5okKu91N1RzgawoGpRrl728kRZyadJ9mbrjwk/s1600/IMG_1349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQEFZK5O_Wr_P55RN8ZpNB4oy-Ahj7aifr-CSSCzjfKGppPAFbjiIuExIQKIae-pqMT3gKimi9sK5VUqidVVBNKeUYW9w-2k5okKu91N1RzgawoGpRrl728kRZyadJ9mbrjwk/s320/IMG_1349.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />You can see here two of the lawns- and in the distance, two of the farmed beds.<br />The beds surrounding the area are still cultivated... espaliered trees, cold frames... (the white fence thing on the right is an espaliered tree).<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2aQpmlhyRIsNPW7Jo0cFKBmI8O4OQ0w4Lm3f15izzmCIA7iTj01blQTIAiO_X0QFMc1j9yVJo-BXAeFZkJtfC3-1lyAlgVRVQALfLJCLXsxJuQc2kULzy6CFOz2Hp3jykG90/s1600/IMG_1341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2aQpmlhyRIsNPW7Jo0cFKBmI8O4OQ0w4Lm3f15izzmCIA7iTj01blQTIAiO_X0QFMc1j9yVJo-BXAeFZkJtfC3-1lyAlgVRVQALfLJCLXsxJuQc2kULzy6CFOz2Hp3jykG90/s320/IMG_1341.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />Herbs and veggies and medicinal plants...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6amGKlbKl8yWV1So01b6ajdURkxjPAPyVSmG8IjoycjN5DcGA0C3z0oAjt5ZV0mtxXlbQ7Mr7oaSFbHhTR3MLuyBDrt4Zujb3La0as6maUtW54oXVc8KJpKXlQ4dsXbyW4f9/s1600/IMG_1359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6amGKlbKl8yWV1So01b6ajdURkxjPAPyVSmG8IjoycjN5DcGA0C3z0oAjt5ZV0mtxXlbQ7Mr7oaSFbHhTR3MLuyBDrt4Zujb3La0as6maUtW54oXVc8KJpKXlQ4dsXbyW4f9/s320/IMG_1359.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />The corn poppy (<i>Papaver rhoeas)</i> was a frequently used medicinal herb- it contains a much smaller amount of the alkaloids found in the opium poppy (<i>Papaver somniferum)</i> and can be used in much the same way- as a pain killer, sleep aid etc...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdL_33EWz91iwytkEukHG-D626mb56u-5_gyXDmu2RqqKze1lCYG_cKgPDTyeMw2RBu_SrA3Dt9Y71cF7sJUPtOixZOHOrdUuBtUFOrCPQDjsmluZYpYbkf8dHsBzId_NYZjz/s1600/IMG_1347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdL_33EWz91iwytkEukHG-D626mb56u-5_gyXDmu2RqqKze1lCYG_cKgPDTyeMw2RBu_SrA3Dt9Y71cF7sJUPtOixZOHOrdUuBtUFOrCPQDjsmluZYpYbkf8dHsBzId_NYZjz/s320/IMG_1347.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />It's not the only herb either. Sage and the other culinary herbs were well represented- after all, it <i>was</i> a kitchen garden.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGS_3cf-lJXrLJjh-vC4RaUnbBiFW8vpQZi3uuuVAHnve4f8SWIPUkG-kuss-JbKcvr9T_VIKRpvZfspdbGY37grfyVYqKBz3GZsqjPKYYC2q8AK8lZ39YIEXKO8r2sggI_nZ/s1600/IMG_1348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGS_3cf-lJXrLJjh-vC4RaUnbBiFW8vpQZi3uuuVAHnve4f8SWIPUkG-kuss-JbKcvr9T_VIKRpvZfspdbGY37grfyVYqKBz3GZsqjPKYYC2q8AK8lZ39YIEXKO8r2sggI_nZ/s320/IMG_1348.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />This is a South facing wall. It blocks the winter winds from the North, and is heated by the sun. That means that plants get an earlier start <i>and</i> it has a micro-climate that will often allow for tropicals to grow in otherwise inhospitable regions. Probably not here in Virginia though :) You'll be able to up your zone a notch or two- which in the case of England (whence this idea came) puts you into tropical territory. Here in Virginia, it allows you to garden year round ;) It is a fine example of a traditional English garden in fact- especially since it was most likely designed <i>by</i> the original (English) owner. Note the strategic placement of the cold frame. I'd bet that cool season crops can grow all winter long here- we are almost at sea level, which tends to extend the season ANYWAY (according to the wonderful Duke of Gloucester Street gardener in Williamsburg).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbdrVxOpvOTOco3MKd1JoOLlIaUPFiL6rQ3wkZLw-j6sbByeIh1QEqdgbApzE6DBLwA49IDIX_QP5kgSWwwdXtlAfPGawywC4hRAZUyMggPMgCVtz1K_AoQVq_YagDZn-PRDa/s1600/IMG_1362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbdrVxOpvOTOco3MKd1JoOLlIaUPFiL6rQ3wkZLw-j6sbByeIh1QEqdgbApzE6DBLwA49IDIX_QP5kgSWwwdXtlAfPGawywC4hRAZUyMggPMgCVtz1K_AoQVq_YagDZn-PRDa/s320/IMG_1362.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />In fact, the leeks have been pulled from here, while other, warm season, crops are grown. At the far end (top right) are raspberry canes. This is quite a long way from the warm southern wall and so they are just about the same development as my own canes- which have their own micro-climate because they are at the top of a hill :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9S2PUTMNbbI9ZwFTe_upWWMFXg43PW2Rv4bBVnwXDQ2sMVrmrjP0nc28Ty__ftPOWfLwZ-3bo5mfV_RKZRjCbeXkmj5ghVKLSYeHAXxhs7ULxD0oxiuAyI75eCnrx6MUOOeY/s1600/IMG_1363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9S2PUTMNbbI9ZwFTe_upWWMFXg43PW2Rv4bBVnwXDQ2sMVrmrjP0nc28Ty__ftPOWfLwZ-3bo5mfV_RKZRjCbeXkmj5ghVKLSYeHAXxhs7ULxD0oxiuAyI75eCnrx6MUOOeY/s320/IMG_1363.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />I spotted some familiar faces- this fig had grown into a huge tree. With LOADS of figs! There was a strawberry that had so many fruits I was tempted to pick- and what I <i>think</i> is a pomegranate. I am not sure though- the day was <i>windy</i> with gusts going up to 40mph plus. It does not allow for close inspection- and my photos wanted to come out blurry- I was lucky to get what I did!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HnZ72kDoMrIWnwAj92ea-erVeI4bouVbpytOH5brs84Ds8U5KFz_vkySF1r98nJCe5fuRIt5xG3qhkoHMWdvO0K3S-e3E5arz4jYD3YDHGjZYTEuJGPV4TU15J8DsaRdP7n-/s1600/IMG_1355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HnZ72kDoMrIWnwAj92ea-erVeI4bouVbpytOH5brs84Ds8U5KFz_vkySF1r98nJCe5fuRIt5xG3qhkoHMWdvO0K3S-e3E5arz4jYD3YDHGjZYTEuJGPV4TU15J8DsaRdP7n-/s320/IMG_1355.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />I would wait until the wind calmed a little before taking photos- but it means I sometimes forgot to read the labels :o. I forget what these are, but they are pretty! (And are next to onions from the look of it!).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHYKTDC9wMghoFY4Zgq6zR2j7q-A_GcIRg3ytZIkA9UIrr4bJs58I7l66lXhBdIcBXt1-ppxjYl5QdapwulyZiKRXygqsffuTACB0oxpsPC5-aDkSd4ylQIKQmZzP-Sp7q-h7/s1600/IMG_1365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHYKTDC9wMghoFY4Zgq6zR2j7q-A_GcIRg3ytZIkA9UIrr4bJs58I7l66lXhBdIcBXt1-ppxjYl5QdapwulyZiKRXygqsffuTACB0oxpsPC5-aDkSd4ylQIKQmZzP-Sp7q-h7/s320/IMG_1365.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />It was so windy in fact- that this picture ended up being taken while the wind blew (it was gradually getting worse- and at this point did not calm down anymore). I was amazed it looked so good- the humble foxglove. I wonder if they used it medicinally!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfP1pjpNHNKSAVYbLxAg2vjEqdLICq9mEhu7xUffN5EmaRg64-Hyi4g8FBHAYKNkYj2-S5EuEP19Tk5Tzx7I3QSEvCmdle31UVtP2jTBzN6JHN8FF7xqZgjNDpqhijbHCCZkE/s1600/IMG_1381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfP1pjpNHNKSAVYbLxAg2vjEqdLICq9mEhu7xUffN5EmaRg64-Hyi4g8FBHAYKNkYj2-S5EuEP19Tk5Tzx7I3QSEvCmdle31UVtP2jTBzN6JHN8FF7xqZgjNDpqhijbHCCZkE/s320/IMG_1381.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />The house is out in the middle of nowhere- it <i>is</i> after all, an old plantation. Yes, it had slaves at one point and was a tobacco farm. Nowdays it is in the middle of wheat fields- not quite amber waves of grain, but close! Stunning views all round!<br />If you ever find yourself in the region of Surry or Smithfield Virginia, then don't forget a visit to Bacon's Castle!<br /><br />Why is it called that, you ask? Well Nathaniel Bacon rebelled against the then governor of Virginia, William Berkeley. There were a lot of raids by the native American Indians at the time, and there were a lot of policies that the people of Virginia disliked- so they complained to the governor. Who did not listen. He lived in the city of Williamsburg and did not have to suffer as much as the people. In protest, a young man called Nathaniel Bacon started a rebellion- which had an encampment here for a night. They pretty much trashed the place and decimated the owner (Arthur Allen's) wine cellar. Bacon died from some kind of infection a few days later, and is thought to have never actually visited there- but the moniker stuck!<br />This is a <i>very</i> brief retelling of the history, you'll have to <a href="http://www.apva.org/baconscastle/">read up on it</a> for the best retelling!Spinnerettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18335780710513434157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21222437.post-6650805436355708432010-05-03T13:03:00.000-05:002010-05-03T13:03:30.050-05:00May in the Square Foot PotagerI like to refer to the garden as a Potager. Because it has beautiful blooms, and it has veggies and herbs too! I do keep them somewhat separate. Sort of. That is to say the kitchen garden is near the kitchen. The roses are all over, the irises invade various spaces and the herbs squish into wherever I can fit them. The herbs are really my favourites. So are the roses. And the vegetables. OK I don't have favourites!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKOXjMMjhKkCJ0p7Qwn76KwV6yBYea3caE9BTDL94O6tqn8A0EDDZqk_r4RLcMIQ8HoflZlknZ_91bejhqocJ9nEm9ema7MIgIFiD8wMCDbPq15O4GSKcfs-DWOreeJXnU-BA8/s1600/IMG_1309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKOXjMMjhKkCJ0p7Qwn76KwV6yBYea3caE9BTDL94O6tqn8A0EDDZqk_r4RLcMIQ8HoflZlknZ_91bejhqocJ9nEm9ema7MIgIFiD8wMCDbPq15O4GSKcfs-DWOreeJXnU-BA8/s320/IMG_1309.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This is the herb garden. Well, it is the square foot garden I set aside for herbs. You can see some of my new aquisitions there- top left- Chamomile. Just above that is Greek Oregano (I love oregano) and borage just above that. That big thing in the middle is, I think, Tansy. It's a volunteer. As is the teeny tomato plant next to it- right behind the almost blooming chives! Ignore the weeds please, I forgot this garden yesterday!<br />
The rest are basil, with a small appearance from the kid's strawberries on the far right.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSIFXDYPGQu8cICU5XLiJzluMQRci0Kp38fQrKyxwSznkMxS8Co_D6AyIccVhDGOmH9m_X_iZsu_OqnPVIQ1JtKaU4N7kukkmtnbsiqWnsdQtPpmLpNAenI2q_oMZYnEDaPLs/s1600/IMG_1306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSIFXDYPGQu8cICU5XLiJzluMQRci0Kp38fQrKyxwSznkMxS8Co_D6AyIccVhDGOmH9m_X_iZsu_OqnPVIQ1JtKaU4N7kukkmtnbsiqWnsdQtPpmLpNAenI2q_oMZYnEDaPLs/s320/IMG_1306.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Meet straightneck yellow squash. We planted the seeds last week. There they are sprouting. Yes, they are in a pot. They are in a pot because I ran out of room in my vegetable garden <i>and</i> because squash and zucchini kind of go mad in the garden. Since only I and my daughter eat them, I have one of each. I will also have a pink winter squash once some of the spring veggies make room. Which might be a little sooner than I'd like- the warmer weather is not helping!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJk91kRBeZa-5_qmjs-HnAUUrH1JGypU5eXBhemjTLhkMarQxvoCroi3z4W-9uQlwSrdyYD_gPycGGNIUd1c9js4xHcf7w_h1qFHrbBkQiDyQUlKa2-ia8Elq3I5157Obv-Y_/s1600/IMG_1307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJk91kRBeZa-5_qmjs-HnAUUrH1JGypU5eXBhemjTLhkMarQxvoCroi3z4W-9uQlwSrdyYD_gPycGGNIUd1c9js4xHcf7w_h1qFHrbBkQiDyQUlKa2-ia8Elq3I5157Obv-Y_/s320/IMG_1307.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
That's zucchini there. I bought heirloom varieties of these because I knew that growing them from seed would let me :) I am hoping to have somewhat resistant plants because those horrid squash bugs try to get my plants every year.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBd8fcTvhiNKgF2E5BHza4XQwkUUNmWTWl25A_ZLJDS8ETz7e6mykbCphWLR_dSG_GiE0iUjo29wN2jy9FosS6DSnxQpxZh-aJhzMyikWeaG_ou_PhId8OBjfHYOhjK_2wV3f/s1600/IMG_1295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBd8fcTvhiNKgF2E5BHza4XQwkUUNmWTWl25A_ZLJDS8ETz7e6mykbCphWLR_dSG_GiE0iUjo29wN2jy9FosS6DSnxQpxZh-aJhzMyikWeaG_ou_PhId8OBjfHYOhjK_2wV3f/s320/IMG_1295.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Meanwhile, the peas are blooming. I love their flowers! We should shortly be seeing pods- so I am excited. I am hoping for a second pea crop later this year- it will be my first year trying for an autumn crop, so we'll see how it goes. I might give up when summer comes- it gets overwhelming here in the humid South! (Particularly if you are English born and bred).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaB0wINoTRESZtp1yHwgsTQPLxtHCDHqAgpZ7AWR5OzzrpprZEf3Ob86eX3rYbF0LE_If2BIi_cD7ZHdROvArVt3saq1GGk6P4A1VR8yN6QxGwl81pLfoFnL2WoQxw5KKBrSY3/s1600/IMG_1290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaB0wINoTRESZtp1yHwgsTQPLxtHCDHqAgpZ7AWR5OzzrpprZEf3Ob86eX3rYbF0LE_If2BIi_cD7ZHdROvArVt3saq1GGk6P4A1VR8yN6QxGwl81pLfoFnL2WoQxw5KKBrSY3/s320/IMG_1290.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The cool crops are looking rather nice. There are the lettuces and spinach, ready to pick a few leaves. The shallots are looking good, and the garlic there at the end- well they look pitiful but never mind them- look at the broccoli!!<br />
The plants in the other bed are producing flowers, I hope to harvest some soon!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQlQQWuHKfTYKo_q1QvkMDXMC6CbdD6j8lo8eg2oThiUl_Z8pwlPp0z0k8jZZ4nQvScGx3V037OMC1kMkz6NWHg7Q-wHkcwv1ZGqollPNSD5E59w_pFrFk6BXkm4jrvK05FKB/s1600/IMG_1291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQlQQWuHKfTYKo_q1QvkMDXMC6CbdD6j8lo8eg2oThiUl_Z8pwlPp0z0k8jZZ4nQvScGx3V037OMC1kMkz6NWHg7Q-wHkcwv1ZGqollPNSD5E59w_pFrFk6BXkm4jrvK05FKB/s320/IMG_1291.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>See what I mean about the lettuce?<br />
Yes, the bright green (volunteer) lettuce is in the spinach bed...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4s0iu17ItL0S_wcOcLZPyIjtHNC42PcMTXedef3y3Ofw-Kr9Jn6vvVtCzciXoiJXSWFrVinay2Vu8_qpsqvG8h4A4-UpTh7-hkr-lA6XkZxktWC6KfJl6PZf3N6aF4FDZmdVf/s1600/IMG_1292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4s0iu17ItL0S_wcOcLZPyIjtHNC42PcMTXedef3y3Ofw-Kr9Jn6vvVtCzciXoiJXSWFrVinay2Vu8_qpsqvG8h4A4-UpTh7-hkr-lA6XkZxktWC6KfJl6PZf3N6aF4FDZmdVf/s320/IMG_1292.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
No flowers on these ones yet...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoFFvzWz_JZu-HU0hkkbvL-3s-U7oSBuc1PciQfLzNuNhFtfSpCJWmAoYjm9Cel6HqzGTtQ_mVFLkcO9amTgckOMxrpUbWpAgArI-oTvvu2N-NxMwDyGsVeIO6ShdVtiw6duZ/s1600/IMG_1293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoFFvzWz_JZu-HU0hkkbvL-3s-U7oSBuc1PciQfLzNuNhFtfSpCJWmAoYjm9Cel6HqzGTtQ_mVFLkcO9amTgckOMxrpUbWpAgArI-oTvvu2N-NxMwDyGsVeIO6ShdVtiw6duZ/s320/IMG_1293.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Here are the green beans. They have really taken off all of a sudden! I guess they liked the hot weather!<br />
You can see the new sage hiding there on the right between the beans and the carrots.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdozv5x154RSu3aoXeXuUnKKf3bqZFfix-SNgsvGzkisWOu78fjAiQHagYHYxTAlxtjAy-08ujdHLDP1fKI1vAsQjG31dPdzSj4-QwGMm9vWF4hGelC5TDd28usZvwATHv5zhn/s1600/IMG_1298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdozv5x154RSu3aoXeXuUnKKf3bqZFfix-SNgsvGzkisWOu78fjAiQHagYHYxTAlxtjAy-08ujdHLDP1fKI1vAsQjG31dPdzSj4-QwGMm9vWF4hGelC5TDd28usZvwATHv5zhn/s320/IMG_1298.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>There it is again- with the carrots in the top right.<br />
I usually end up feeding the carrots to our rabbit- and M'Lady who loves them.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6nVRrAjgQhQ5JZhKEoIb88boqnqzHPWFzfca1C3PB0aVpRwYfw-RIF-QPdNASYjqOGCaGnUEpf_3NZXrOkWI3Imn0H9cA4u4GZdRhdeHI_F9MHYa-olzmwqdVPKZgRq1sp8P/s1600/IMG_1296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6nVRrAjgQhQ5JZhKEoIb88boqnqzHPWFzfca1C3PB0aVpRwYfw-RIF-QPdNASYjqOGCaGnUEpf_3NZXrOkWI3Imn0H9cA4u4GZdRhdeHI_F9MHYa-olzmwqdVPKZgRq1sp8P/s320/IMG_1296.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Limas look good too. The white things are rose petals- we've had a lot of wind lately.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnmk_uDecHsXNkNLzxFTxwf2Q_-Sa-d1iPXuuxiQ5nc4DJC0sRsOX6x6Nnm9xMN6QzS4JaIJ2wccXvKAsgihR9uddTUsM5ukQ0vAdjoc29p9sqtfbXoJA8puXNBIBWZAMulPy/s1600/IMG_1294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnmk_uDecHsXNkNLzxFTxwf2Q_-Sa-d1iPXuuxiQ5nc4DJC0sRsOX6x6Nnm9xMN6QzS4JaIJ2wccXvKAsgihR9uddTUsM5ukQ0vAdjoc29p9sqtfbXoJA8puXNBIBWZAMulPy/s320/IMG_1294.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Which also explains their presence in the corn too. There is also a rose limb in the corn- because the rose wants to go there. Actually the rose is next to the corn and one stray, blooming limb likes it in the corn bed. It'll be dealt with once it stops blooming ;)<br />
Meanwhile the corn keeps growing, even when the new neighbour puppy comes to visit and tramples on it! You can't see that one...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGRa4pWeWEkQ885QUjNswH_pkaNa7u2yl8EPqRZtmT86d3U1WwX2u6PTGzYdw7IwrwdRACB2FUxiR5EE9I9FEbeVUU2VQqIMiZ09300QsK8jTktKhl2gRVLZ_wfY1s46z0tii/s1600/IMG_1297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGRa4pWeWEkQ885QUjNswH_pkaNa7u2yl8EPqRZtmT86d3U1WwX2u6PTGzYdw7IwrwdRACB2FUxiR5EE9I9FEbeVUU2VQqIMiZ09300QsK8jTktKhl2gRVLZ_wfY1s46z0tii/s320/IMG_1297.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Oh look- the new rosemary and some Swiss chard!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIpwbiM2xZKfXEqbve_5I37PwsfkPreJnah1BvaQyQJOaCsZ3eDQKi4MG-xe2t5OrTHoDDaEKusZuxQbyJg3Pl8FhWiipXFqk5CG1bzosA1NKgvjZpGwG1qhEHyDdpwMlWzhu/s1600/IMG_1302.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIpwbiM2xZKfXEqbve_5I37PwsfkPreJnah1BvaQyQJOaCsZ3eDQKi4MG-xe2t5OrTHoDDaEKusZuxQbyJg3Pl8FhWiipXFqk5CG1bzosA1NKgvjZpGwG1qhEHyDdpwMlWzhu/s1600/IMG_1302.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The advantage of buying my peppers, is that someone else, with a greehouse, can give them the start they need. EARLY enough :) So now they are blooming. There are three varieties- a bell, a poblano and a jalapeno. One of each, in separate pots. I think this is the poblano.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHhhxjTLW0UCGTAehhrUliQTumWTQ35zgXKpaEHbxyIR_0g8I4YLMjqC2HuBBZEnyl8R9NJQrUieppWQzySlp0KOaTDvukUdAEwOCOn-fKtcrrJpFc4u4PcKPSSdVA1Vyrdu2/s1600/IMG_1303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHhhxjTLW0UCGTAehhrUliQTumWTQ35zgXKpaEHbxyIR_0g8I4YLMjqC2HuBBZEnyl8R9NJQrUieppWQzySlp0KOaTDvukUdAEwOCOn-fKtcrrJpFc4u4PcKPSSdVA1Vyrdu2/s320/IMG_1303.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Here it is, full length- next to the new peppermint. Also conveniently contained in a pot. I will not let it go free to run in the garden- the lemon balm, motherwort and apple mint are already having too much fun!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCd9QY6KA_DIZ13PuwCPQX9q6T4A8xlrv6CL3oEXqCvO5dA8f-8depeBom-mnTlZE8vwcxGpbZ_YndzffmiVfnctSv_60F2HNQo21bNM7EdB4M1NM6K-M8SVj9lhu7yZPtNDrS/s1600/IMG_1304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCd9QY6KA_DIZ13PuwCPQX9q6T4A8xlrv6CL3oEXqCvO5dA8f-8depeBom-mnTlZE8vwcxGpbZ_YndzffmiVfnctSv_60F2HNQo21bNM7EdB4M1NM6K-M8SVj9lhu7yZPtNDrS/s320/IMG_1304.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>The sungold in a pretty pot near the ugly tiki torch :) I love the tiki torches... they work pretty well if you don't accidentally tap the gnats inside the area you are in!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BiQISB24IIGnwRNHT4wPkMfBg3B8-kkUcptqKP-86Ju40_w48S1Z9skBF1e4AgODYSallmsJciqmystsuR9C3JoRobWRCTXJWHYdZoy9VmKfT9aZG-EibAL7NNETcTkMXTRN/s1600/IMG_1305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BiQISB24IIGnwRNHT4wPkMfBg3B8-kkUcptqKP-86Ju40_w48S1Z9skBF1e4AgODYSallmsJciqmystsuR9C3JoRobWRCTXJWHYdZoy9VmKfT9aZG-EibAL7NNETcTkMXTRN/s320/IMG_1305.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The other tomato, the bell pepper I accidentally decapitated and the jalapeno pepper. Oh, and the squash :)<br />
Don't worry, the decapitated pepper is growing new shoots, so I still hope for some yummy bells from it!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokbhfAKUUH2hoGtosUzfgFL6LNiTnRl7jEFtTB1165O7u6t0seszMXI_MzRNvXuQq91X9H1CLugzobJ5Obwqa2mCgnc2uECswYs0T07HyNxpGsZNNRGh0zpy5P2ejNi4OV4IA/s1600/IMG_1299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokbhfAKUUH2hoGtosUzfgFL6LNiTnRl7jEFtTB1165O7u6t0seszMXI_MzRNvXuQq91X9H1CLugzobJ5Obwqa2mCgnc2uECswYs0T07HyNxpGsZNNRGh0zpy5P2ejNi4OV4IA/s320/IMG_1299.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Potatoes. I need to bring the soil level up a little.<br />
Well actually I am thinking more of mulching up some, but I still need to do it ;)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5f2RJRwotZFYvnYEN025QFNntZKJ_BTBVjS_4oey8riv3S-fv2sazwV-JHy2JeAP6uF5XLBset-IRftwZkvkr7msLpxUBWUKv07eswTRKhjXbNjAGTR72N36tFQlE6RhuRf8k/s1600/IMG_1310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5f2RJRwotZFYvnYEN025QFNntZKJ_BTBVjS_4oey8riv3S-fv2sazwV-JHy2JeAP6uF5XLBset-IRftwZkvkr7msLpxUBWUKv07eswTRKhjXbNjAGTR72N36tFQlE6RhuRf8k/s320/IMG_1310.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Blooming comfrey- going a little wild :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LSyFXfxr2rTRix9wNd1vhXiYUBIA8tCuvFCSDZFluIo9vfafzjJuYYUc7s0cJrI15L2fdLYrrEinPHzVpnPaBwJ0YXwb5gVWuXljkoihtkcD-whEguSLHnmyDrRS-5cz45Z1/s1600/IMG_1311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LSyFXfxr2rTRix9wNd1vhXiYUBIA8tCuvFCSDZFluIo9vfafzjJuYYUc7s0cJrI15L2fdLYrrEinPHzVpnPaBwJ0YXwb5gVWuXljkoihtkcD-whEguSLHnmyDrRS-5cz45Z1/s320/IMG_1311.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>The white bloom there is valerian!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUaxDJCSKPHTKnTgrDqz7KNv8uZqXZc6kfhsPbfaRfWbceQ76vjZEjCwJKKdxM1_1TtiiMyu7c-QhpsFfW8NJsJJ2wEmgUoHUydu9c7b0b8Dtwf9fYKQhqJXIOYkgf4cPODgU/s1600/IMG_1322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUaxDJCSKPHTKnTgrDqz7KNv8uZqXZc6kfhsPbfaRfWbceQ76vjZEjCwJKKdxM1_1TtiiMyu7c-QhpsFfW8NJsJJ2wEmgUoHUydu9c7b0b8Dtwf9fYKQhqJXIOYkgf4cPODgU/s320/IMG_1322.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Pineapple sage (also new) and a wormwood (yes, it is new too).<br />
You can't see the new lemon verbena I planted- because I have yet to photograph it!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDbXM6zf_0R9UAcqq-PJnm2U6NZAVWavhEX50X6PCFgjwNegWdAFC1rHVOD9FkRpjHkVJTWbC_bAtf3HWlrNF5Y_fK29ZNsVaPnY7c8CcKWtRYK-SajTr_6J48Cgsln4b46si/s1600/IMG_1321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDbXM6zf_0R9UAcqq-PJnm2U6NZAVWavhEX50X6PCFgjwNegWdAFC1rHVOD9FkRpjHkVJTWbC_bAtf3HWlrNF5Y_fK29ZNsVaPnY7c8CcKWtRYK-SajTr_6J48Cgsln4b46si/s320/IMG_1321.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Look at the lovely peonies! They smell wonderful too!<br />
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And the third of our irises- the blue and the yellow are still going strong.<br />
(That's a sow thistle behind it- these run along the ditch and it is really hard to get rid of those and the grasses with them!).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UGINaV3GCDpTEk922wggpskEOcUS-QCyg89rhZfMpaGLtwzc8VexXWv6eFWuBEIIumIVOFtGusSbHXD8A21byjDkLLTC_5PvzgzDgMqm3tLGv2_EyqkqCYL53L00vSMPoKXZ/s1600/IMG_1319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UGINaV3GCDpTEk922wggpskEOcUS-QCyg89rhZfMpaGLtwzc8VexXWv6eFWuBEIIumIVOFtGusSbHXD8A21byjDkLLTC_5PvzgzDgMqm3tLGv2_EyqkqCYL53L00vSMPoKXZ/s320/IMG_1319.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
See- told you the blue was looking good!<br />
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Happy gardening!Spinnerettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18335780710513434157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21222437.post-71288118184043554502010-05-03T12:27:00.000-05:002010-05-03T12:27:22.010-05:00The Rose Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Our weekend was HOT. As in 90* temperature hot!<br />
It was kind of nice though. We spent the day in the garden again and worked on it some- and enjoyed the wonderful roses, which just bloomed! In addition, were the plants I bought just over a week ago at the annual herb festival... so here is my update.<br />
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First up- last weekend, was the annual herb festival, <i>Herbs Galore</i> at Maymont Park in Richmond, VA. Vendors from numerous states come, selling their wares- herbs, herb related things and vegetables. I usually buy my tomatoes and peppers from there, but this year got my tomatoes from the local garden centre. I picked up three peppers and several new herbs for my gardens ;)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBu_GUl7d3Zo5y4OK_PspjZBJdbg6Qgw3FQWXfjbxcHctlVfC4VlnZLPJFLyKkcNMal8sl81fpXJ2EAQKPOcP7U4KxlMJNTrlTb5JSWouOF0UzaabeSK2Xppww_YJ42fN3zCSz/s1600/IMG_1312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBu_GUl7d3Zo5y4OK_PspjZBJdbg6Qgw3FQWXfjbxcHctlVfC4VlnZLPJFLyKkcNMal8sl81fpXJ2EAQKPOcP7U4KxlMJNTrlTb5JSWouOF0UzaabeSK2Xppww_YJ42fN3zCSz/s320/IMG_1312.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>We also put in a fire-pit. We <i>had</i> been using an old trash can for burning garden debris (old limbs etc.) but it was all holey! I actually cooked over the firepit yesterday too- that was kind of fun, if a little too warm ;)<br />
The burgers were <i>delicious</i> though ;)<br />
The blocks are ones from Lowes, the circle is about 3 foot in diameter and sits just off of the patio. On a cool day we'll be able to warm ourselves around it.<br />
On a hot day we have to avoid that side of the patio- it was about 90* while I cooked over it- I felt very colonial ;)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukPjsSo32mQNZcco-CI_Y-qUmLeYW4rGFb6bHPhG7HR0mOLpBfNuGMw_auG3OgA6FAEFdms9DROp0Dr0uEymxCIbNIQv7jcN9wBGRCXsgajuZY0YR3oyq-tNkg5LUrEffxlaF/s1600/IMG_1336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukPjsSo32mQNZcco-CI_Y-qUmLeYW4rGFb6bHPhG7HR0mOLpBfNuGMw_auG3OgA6FAEFdms9DROp0Dr0uEymxCIbNIQv7jcN9wBGRCXsgajuZY0YR3oyq-tNkg5LUrEffxlaF/s320/IMG_1336.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>The entrance to the garden is currently stunning. Our old garden rose (highly fragrant) is tumbling over it. There it is- the one on the right is about as tall as they are supposed to get. You can see how much taller the left one is. And oh the fragrance- it is the 'tea rose' fragrance you get in perfumes! This is the fabled 'Tudor Rose'...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtePrD-BTgjWfMO6K1_ij6WbTefpFkIld5hkt-OXRKY5FcgcnFFe6wOZk9D1n4t_gyOOjUQF0KI6be1ZwmjSWvUqrruZRPxHm9qiCKnB8vf9kCqGcgYPsiKNXbOiplHqIFgXfZ/s1600/IMG_1276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtePrD-BTgjWfMO6K1_ij6WbTefpFkIld5hkt-OXRKY5FcgcnFFe6wOZk9D1n4t_gyOOjUQF0KI6be1ZwmjSWvUqrruZRPxHm9qiCKnB8vf9kCqGcgYPsiKNXbOiplHqIFgXfZ/s320/IMG_1276.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The Tudor rose is said to be a cross between the roses of York and Lancaster. This, the Lancaster rose, is also known as the <i>Apothecary</i> rose. It too is highly fragrant and beautiful. Reds apparently don't like either my camera or my monitor much, because they never look right on my screen :/ But I guess that means I need to draw it ;)<br />
This is the one you can use for all your cooking needs... and medicinal!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzawe2gKkCearaounqq9IR4RD9U_DQUmxXE7eR4KLEZ-zHr7Buptwzh9OCKJXqv9WoPFTaiobVKV3XTm42gEirahsDQOcn3lnx7cc_SK4W_jKF9sBZF4Cx1S13Ote_jZZzfNX/s1600/IMG_1275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzawe2gKkCearaounqq9IR4RD9U_DQUmxXE7eR4KLEZ-zHr7Buptwzh9OCKJXqv9WoPFTaiobVKV3XTm42gEirahsDQOcn3lnx7cc_SK4W_jKF9sBZF4Cx1S13Ote_jZZzfNX/s320/IMG_1275.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This is the other rose that is said to be the parent of the Tudor rose- the White Rose of York. It too is highly fragrant and so pretty... this year the rose is looking wonderful- we had a bad few years when we were unable to take care of them, and they are finally looking good again!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlbfxFKOOvRRu9RtiTMc8ZXTOaAkjfnCarob7lkLJkU2LK_KJR43Wv3m2ISqF1U7Z1CZR2BN_6GIo5LVf2sJgi-NSgixcWo5F4O5I82UequU76K-vt-pDBYdwuNC7hBDAf_zS/s1600/IMG_1317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlbfxFKOOvRRu9RtiTMc8ZXTOaAkjfnCarob7lkLJkU2LK_KJR43Wv3m2ISqF1U7Z1CZR2BN_6GIo5LVf2sJgi-NSgixcWo5F4O5I82UequU76K-vt-pDBYdwuNC7hBDAf_zS/s320/IMG_1317.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Here it is in all its glory! A stunning rose, providing a nice little shade for the patio :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFKrm2xtO8cNZdKVLxaX4EtPIN7tp1MWkkVbxQF5qI6VDtcI7xRYUB-mxELFDMDv3wAlaH8TQVWkQWbOc9TspGJxshQ-mCvd6vFUKjownwyZ7OIDw84yotreyAiX6Eh3jPOZl/s1600/IMG_1313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFKrm2xtO8cNZdKVLxaX4EtPIN7tp1MWkkVbxQF5qI6VDtcI7xRYUB-mxELFDMDv3wAlaH8TQVWkQWbOc9TspGJxshQ-mCvd6vFUKjownwyZ7OIDw84yotreyAiX6Eh3jPOZl/s320/IMG_1313.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>This rose is extra special. It is the Jacobite Rose after which my main blog is named. It is also a survivour- we thought we'd killed it when we tried to move it about 8 years ago. It got a little better, then the spot we had it in started to get less light (another neighbour tree). So we had to move it again. This time it came apart into two, one part survived, and the other died. The survivour was hit by falling roof tiles when we had to re-do our roof. This year, it has finally gotten back to its former beauty- what a stunner!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjApCQzS8c1L7RL0rIbssP_JSyR0LTxobWbqtXv-MQs2KJ8up76DFRPSSysYTaN3iE8VI9I5erxipe8NH5tgbctOfVQpGem3NopFmL3vOSzDubqyBpvTyT48ooxHr_Um5-VbETS/s1600/IMG_1278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjApCQzS8c1L7RL0rIbssP_JSyR0LTxobWbqtXv-MQs2KJ8up76DFRPSSysYTaN3iE8VI9I5erxipe8NH5tgbctOfVQpGem3NopFmL3vOSzDubqyBpvTyT48ooxHr_Um5-VbETS/s320/IMG_1278.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Yes, it is fragrant. Yes, those are fully double blooms...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht41mc2mLJFTZ5fJotwCyyz0xaTdizMm4M8VT3TijNjac3sUZasyLo55gUBUPALvvZULkMQ9CZ_wsBUu7zneFJ1NHAsiBjY3HCU6gSU4vt8zhc7Wi0IjZKtrkj8J_c7oWhWA_v/s1600/IMG_1282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht41mc2mLJFTZ5fJotwCyyz0xaTdizMm4M8VT3TijNjac3sUZasyLo55gUBUPALvvZULkMQ9CZ_wsBUu7zneFJ1NHAsiBjY3HCU6gSU4vt8zhc7Wi0IjZKtrkj8J_c7oWhWA_v/s320/IMG_1282.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We have other roses in bloom too. This is the Tudor rose again...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx77tjLyoqNcxLtCxfO6l2c0kZfWdaEydnfk3uLnzEnkdIKIC-ZAyRh1xcS_BLqpccH3Fl2w1zau7s5biJg8OpfNbyOvkRT4iu8LFokhcRUWefZOrW-CCrvDojLEsZE7X7D61n/s1600/IMG_1323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx77tjLyoqNcxLtCxfO6l2c0kZfWdaEydnfk3uLnzEnkdIKIC-ZAyRh1xcS_BLqpccH3Fl2w1zau7s5biJg8OpfNbyOvkRT4iu8LFokhcRUWefZOrW-CCrvDojLEsZE7X7D61n/s320/IMG_1323.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This is a miniature rose called the Leda rose. We were sent it by accident!<br />
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The New Dawn rose- this is a more modern rose. it climbs. It attacks the car. And it really needs to be moved!! But I love it :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5_jmN6FRH9bx7f02ua8SV_BZ5T7cQEuA_XvdwRiwNGqlW7RCdl10FZrROpeH4IT5BE-ODsIk-nG1Njfa_lfxj1whyphenhyphenhyRscWvAtFGnl80Q3_423qgBPeZn_Sp5FMfhCS8TvV6/s1600/IMG_1335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5_jmN6FRH9bx7f02ua8SV_BZ5T7cQEuA_XvdwRiwNGqlW7RCdl10FZrROpeH4IT5BE-ODsIk-nG1Njfa_lfxj1whyphenhyphenhyRscWvAtFGnl80Q3_423qgBPeZn_Sp5FMfhCS8TvV6/s320/IMG_1335.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><i>Rosa centifolia - parvifolia</i>. That means the small cabbage rose. We have the original too, but that has yet to bloom :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguviZ-sotyYKnSpOUTvRp4vUEY5Z93W6kPk4ZosX37H59MCwlYsUBO6ynRTE3D7-xgclMtZNLUwTJLwxWJBzpJ6V3mOPw87_Z4xEI0m2jVz3eIlSYplA5udhXQDTAcv9_3YyM8/s1600/IMG_1320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguviZ-sotyYKnSpOUTvRp4vUEY5Z93W6kPk4ZosX37H59MCwlYsUBO6ynRTE3D7-xgclMtZNLUwTJLwxWJBzpJ6V3mOPw87_Z4xEI0m2jVz3eIlSYplA5udhXQDTAcv9_3YyM8/s320/IMG_1320.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<i>Rosa alba- regalis.</i><br />
Or 'Great Maiden's Blush'. This bloomed just this morning.<span id="goog_643487414"></span><span id="goog_643487415"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsalf9PJXHVEEHA7zte0wK9kSxjTgOexiTP8wlaTi84V8gSc6vmKfth6P8BoJvZzDO6jedTnd-o6ECM1Bo6jw2g3IiXtamcBTEQxMjcls2YBgqz-vMy2B2Znq9x9eYjT3RRUQ/s1600/IMG_1324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsalf9PJXHVEEHA7zte0wK9kSxjTgOexiTP8wlaTi84V8gSc6vmKfth6P8BoJvZzDO6jedTnd-o6ECM1Bo6jw2g3IiXtamcBTEQxMjcls2YBgqz-vMy2B2Znq9x9eYjT3RRUQ/s320/IMG_1324.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Two other roses have bloomed- the Betty Prior and the <i>Rosa damascena bifera</i>. I think. I forget its name LOL. You can see the Betty Prior in the background with the firepit, but since they are both red, the flower close-ups came out funny on my monitor :/<br />
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This last photo is the Tudor Rose cascading over the arbour- just this morning :) <br />
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But I have other things to show you so I will stop with the roses for now, and get a nice edible garden post ready for you later!Spinnerettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18335780710513434157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21222437.post-19571094188089274252010-04-23T10:55:00.007-05:002010-04-23T11:02:35.833-05:00The Edible Garden- and flowersIf you haven't yet decided to participate in <a href="http://good-life-eats.blogspot.com/">Good Life {Eats}</a> 'GrowCookEat' then you should head on over to the blog to see all the wonderful gardening posts :) And maybe participate in her Mother's Day Giveaways!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFuLZ_2-HOTwZtaFbAvDyJjr-r8x70HrZJ0BSlRxAfskIz5VSBKqyk5NXjq2LHFcDqheWgAcfDUBf-WMpj3f6aXdFHO3QN0vJw73NYr0wsd2rVGogrHFYcit9odGKUbMtD16R/s1600/4480288352_9f84315057_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFuLZ_2-HOTwZtaFbAvDyJjr-r8x70HrZJ0BSlRxAfskIz5VSBKqyk5NXjq2LHFcDqheWgAcfDUBf-WMpj3f6aXdFHO3QN0vJw73NYr0wsd2rVGogrHFYcit9odGKUbMtD16R/s1600/4480288352_9f84315057_o.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbOD_Nci-n7RnCZSPlxqveouhKkoUdYWJ4yqdlGDNafYkzkqEAbqqgGoPcEY00vxM5JXFuxf5bF2SiQXVynMQIGwLKnh1b5hFxZssJwb1YEiB3n83saZKOthKQ8peRRwLwugC/s1600/IMG_1184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>But on to my garden, and how it is fairing :) It was a good week for eating the garden- the kids got their first strawberries :) I am fairly sure this is the first time they have picked strawberries and eaten them straight from our garden :)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgZ-J80-H9ecdnqRp6UgYnKSsGEXM_-ctbeB-HhbFZrt_Ke04kz_y4Y8hLWV0gfX9mbOywaaibziIjoADu9akKe0oNVPtsYRM6QHPu2QjpLh10kLCGuzYZvc8rKnRTfMde14z/s1600/IMG_1183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbOD_Nci-n7RnCZSPlxqveouhKkoUdYWJ4yqdlGDNafYkzkqEAbqqgGoPcEY00vxM5JXFuxf5bF2SiQXVynMQIGwLKnh1b5hFxZssJwb1YEiB3n83saZKOthKQ8peRRwLwugC/s1600/IMG_1184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbOD_Nci-n7RnCZSPlxqveouhKkoUdYWJ4yqdlGDNafYkzkqEAbqqgGoPcEY00vxM5JXFuxf5bF2SiQXVynMQIGwLKnh1b5hFxZssJwb1YEiB3n83saZKOthKQ8peRRwLwugC/s320/IMG_1184.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />I decided that this was a fairly momentous occasion, so I managed to get the kids to post with their strawberries just before they picked them!<br /><br />The verdict? "Delicious!", "Sweet!", "Juicy!".<br /><br />Is it usual for us to get such early strawberries? Well usually not quite <i>this</i> early- but remember these ones came from the garden centre with some flowers already! However, the next strawberries will be ones that grew here. From the already started plants. Oh well, maybe I can't say they are all ours this year, but next...<br /><br />You can also see some of my herbs in the pictures. Next to my son you can just spot the chives- I used those a couple of times this week as a garnish... once for a baked potato and another time for soup. Cheddar Potato soup to be precise... it is absolutely delicious!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgZ-J80-H9ecdnqRp6UgYnKSsGEXM_-ctbeB-HhbFZrt_Ke04kz_y4Y8hLWV0gfX9mbOywaaibziIjoADu9akKe0oNVPtsYRM6QHPu2QjpLh10kLCGuzYZvc8rKnRTfMde14z/s1600/IMG_1183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgZ-J80-H9ecdnqRp6UgYnKSsGEXM_-ctbeB-HhbFZrt_Ke04kz_y4Y8hLWV0gfX9mbOywaaibziIjoADu9akKe0oNVPtsYRM6QHPu2QjpLh10kLCGuzYZvc8rKnRTfMde14z/s320/IMG_1183.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="240" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />There are some more chives next to my daughter- those are garlic chives. I have yet to do anything with those this year- I want them to recover after their being transplanted! You can also see the basil I am growing- I LOVE basil in the summer. Especially with tomatoes and mozarella cheese... mmmmm!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhd2rBU6A4Qm_XuMZ2cKWHcjJEuVJwyDjsL3NZcLL4UeNkWRIkOcewqhduRp7a52u_zfyfR7GKLy3QpMizpR2WqU-hNFm0mGbuHsYogzN2XFXaEWDEDSGHMwOlcxcJ-KAlbd2_/s1600/IMG_1217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhd2rBU6A4Qm_XuMZ2cKWHcjJEuVJwyDjsL3NZcLL4UeNkWRIkOcewqhduRp7a52u_zfyfR7GKLy3QpMizpR2WqU-hNFm0mGbuHsYogzN2XFXaEWDEDSGHMwOlcxcJ-KAlbd2_/s320/IMG_1217.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>Speaking of tomatoes...<br /><br />I always buy my tomatoes as plants- I just do not have the spot to grow them as seeds.<br />Plus I need at most, two plants. Only my daughter and I eat them anyway... and I have no space for storage of canned tomatoes. Although that is something to consider...<br />I digress. These are my sungold tomatoes- they are the best tasting cherry tomato EVER! I had to buy the hugest tomato plant because the small ones were <i>already sold out!</i> But that is OK. I got them- and they are already blooming!<br />I'll tell you a secret though- I have babies cropping up all over the garden from last year's plants ;) I planted one in the herb garden just to see if it would grow.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintVu9Xda1_PntFus-BAI_KGf8T4cfPEtxf0gFBV-gnFRsO5MXkJFU022kHD76GPqvh6yb6lDKyB0mszg293NYssjH01OviY6FMluQWFUBsYf84qZv7L0NFgqFwioIHgh2NJRl/s1600/IMG_1226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintVu9Xda1_PntFus-BAI_KGf8T4cfPEtxf0gFBV-gnFRsO5MXkJFU022kHD76GPqvh6yb6lDKyB0mszg293NYssjH01OviY6FMluQWFUBsYf84qZv7L0NFgqFwioIHgh2NJRl/s320/IMG_1226.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="240" /></a><br /><br />The tomatoes are blooming before the peas!! But the peas are doing well- since the weather cooled down. I added some extra string to my trellis so the peas could grow- and you can see the Swiss Chard coming up next to them too :)<br /><br />This will eventually be given over to a later summer crop- perhaps of squash, (winter) or something that grows fast!<br /><br />Maybe cucumbers!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7wgaHRYnBoTEJOP_qc-2g5uEJjTabjIIxpCTCtkHauBVJecLA6XR80LK4RjI8v_Myg1lYnzhAdZHPfVBk4rV0p_C2Z-5qehr_yjqZU9tRoby2c28tH4GJB4HrRfM_kJdYL5B/s1600/IMG_1212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7wgaHRYnBoTEJOP_qc-2g5uEJjTabjIIxpCTCtkHauBVJecLA6XR80LK4RjI8v_Myg1lYnzhAdZHPfVBk4rV0p_C2Z-5qehr_yjqZU9tRoby2c28tH4GJB4HrRfM_kJdYL5B/s320/IMG_1212.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>The rain we had earlier this week has done some good though- look, Limas!<br />I planted these especially for my husband, who is a huge fan of them. They really don't produce much though- like peas you have to plant a lot to get a decent crop. I never seem to plant enough (and in case you wonder, I pretty much empty the pea packet!).<br /><br />They are not the only beans sprouting in the garden though... you can also see blue lake green beans...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSR2-D8A32bXQpYTVDhdrmlGLVhn3Tsx2ll_gYm6JTUOygFyqfMmz4I42xIOB5fchjgz2Jy94lUpqB77wMl7i-zfbqdB7JsX2jZtmTeQWXwLcuqbhKe51ECltyzb4YtWffcrw/s1600/IMG_1216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSR2-D8A32bXQpYTVDhdrmlGLVhn3Tsx2ll_gYm6JTUOygFyqfMmz4I42xIOB5fchjgz2Jy94lUpqB77wMl7i-zfbqdB7JsX2jZtmTeQWXwLcuqbhKe51ECltyzb4YtWffcrw/s320/IMG_1216.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>Yes, they look very much alike at this stage. However they are in totally different square foot gardens and I marked them so as to not forget which I planted where ;)<br /><br />These ones are in the same garden I planted my carrots in- which are also doing well :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvEbXbhZ-i0brswP3T7KvYmNMZa_2QXK8zxjPAZcLdR1T7kNgtamKkW86JLr07gaaN_Fft55Xhbah9L6MTJSzaQqLAa2kyOVfli4mss-EMbIlbFi6qjXN60ImneI9yyEFxR3r/s1600/IMG_1222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvEbXbhZ-i0brswP3T7KvYmNMZa_2QXK8zxjPAZcLdR1T7kNgtamKkW86JLr07gaaN_Fft55Xhbah9L6MTJSzaQqLAa2kyOVfli4mss-EMbIlbFi6qjXN60ImneI9yyEFxR3r/s320/IMG_1222.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />As you can see. They are baby carrots, so I am hoping it wont get too hot for them too soon. I am always so happy to see them. Unfortunately, so are the swallowtails!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgIow2DXSjFwhQLIlm_JXeepgnfKgQx5mM7mkk29akuxqXy4c9sIbg-jdYrGOzJY0Ofo6gvkKcGldXu538UTVvLV3YAeur4WiHdnGbgRra0UPHslhP-Q-maRqLm65rgRgsv7g/s1600/IMG_1215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgIow2DXSjFwhQLIlm_JXeepgnfKgQx5mM7mkk29akuxqXy4c9sIbg-jdYrGOzJY0Ofo6gvkKcGldXu538UTVvLV3YAeur4WiHdnGbgRra0UPHslhP-Q-maRqLm65rgRgsv7g/s320/IMG_1215.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The bed next door is now sprouting corn. They are tiny yet, but there they are.<br />I need to thin them out this weekend...<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMy4QieTsQIw9BTldDfUQ5DDBMT9XZlqFJwlss0WNgHFfmm55zNlkIoTh_9WZyniwu58RhAfKYSAIh9S7kaxMmapOlmzyKYYAUnki4N-ymdBvqZH-PFX_zjUAsZafLGwE3nY3/s1600/IMG_1223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMy4QieTsQIw9BTldDfUQ5DDBMT9XZlqFJwlss0WNgHFfmm55zNlkIoTh_9WZyniwu58RhAfKYSAIh9S7kaxMmapOlmzyKYYAUnki4N-ymdBvqZH-PFX_zjUAsZafLGwE3nY3/s320/IMG_1223.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The rainbow beets are taking off...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunw7SeUSSmwAFkA5nPCKAys4Jn9k6V0yRRRDIXbHcA6uW1gEVPBCEV6s4PpkzeZQYEQi5mrFa405WdNOcjBKDRNdMBKoHHzrSURJM9PVqWZDGqqO61Yd6ivTceytuGIPeM5DJ/s1600/IMG_1224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunw7SeUSSmwAFkA5nPCKAys4Jn9k6V0yRRRDIXbHcA6uW1gEVPBCEV6s4PpkzeZQYEQi5mrFa405WdNOcjBKDRNdMBKoHHzrSURJM9PVqWZDGqqO61Yd6ivTceytuGIPeM5DJ/s320/IMG_1224.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />...as are the lettuces and spinaches. For some reason I forgot to photograph the spinach. I think I'll be able to harvest some lettuce leaves soon though ;)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-dgkd4Kl7RWC9R1fL0QEjz_Ug0zjC4-6G1xE_PK_WQnPd9ovAMaDQvQTkyWPLb9ZVMjFXDKnExsY_3ngSpKdF7INB_bJDxh_u6DgL7JFtoxAKRMfJu6q0RUb7ErjIawPOdYPh/s1600/IMG_1225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-dgkd4Kl7RWC9R1fL0QEjz_Ug0zjC4-6G1xE_PK_WQnPd9ovAMaDQvQTkyWPLb9ZVMjFXDKnExsY_3ngSpKdF7INB_bJDxh_u6DgL7JFtoxAKRMfJu6q0RUb7ErjIawPOdYPh/s320/IMG_1225.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br />You can just about see two spinach plants growing in the second square from the back on the left. Those grassy things are my shallots. A couple did not come up, and I am considering planting my garlic in those spots if I still see no signs of life...<br />The garlic is stuff from the fridge that sprouted. I put it in some water and it took off!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXabo9Orl3wInAC2Z8trzjWxAPCUTi3COblF3WigwNg5rs-tK7YKSRrSXfrHNnmdGD0dtXS_bSB1mnwX7naq6NW5iZMfdvB7tZEILkC26CdsvblI_OrhJgadM6V-hSf4ioaFw/s1600/IMG_1219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXabo9Orl3wInAC2Z8trzjWxAPCUTi3COblF3WigwNg5rs-tK7YKSRrSXfrHNnmdGD0dtXS_bSB1mnwX7naq6NW5iZMfdvB7tZEILkC26CdsvblI_OrhJgadM6V-hSf4ioaFw/s320/IMG_1219.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Raspberry season is just around the corner- and you can see my raspberries are ready to go :) Look closer and you can see the berry part. I think they bloomed when I wasn't looking! These plants were given to me by a dear friend, and they produce twice a year- isn't that a great gift? :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogG49SlC8DBXsFDRW-QlrF1pxUx_AqK-DgE_kY78ZqKeehzj5XOT3Xg3BkenbEgbVr4IRMjkMR0Ofmyj6tMrdMKMgH8mCJdbsOpw55N6bddauAQLGdUSyXc77fCkZmOhoAFy-/s1600/IMG_1218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogG49SlC8DBXsFDRW-QlrF1pxUx_AqK-DgE_kY78ZqKeehzj5XOT3Xg3BkenbEgbVr4IRMjkMR0Ofmyj6tMrdMKMgH8mCJdbsOpw55N6bddauAQLGdUSyXc77fCkZmOhoAFy-/s320/IMG_1218.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />They sit next to this lady, who was also a gift :) This is an Elderberry- and look she is getting ready to flower. I am thinking of moving her over some so she can have a bit more room.<br />The raspberries have gotten quite thick, and I think they could use a trellis :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRhgxf_7xqHycDydX1HY4scr5tnKzJDRfxCkv9Dda8hQ7Vt8lbQjXOyDuylXBkmn3gUCeTB5FOB6PYqdwqA-CTy6R1aEUDcEPOkMbaLCyz_C695l0ScUSk8CLJR5wyarBNRG-/s1600/IMG_1165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRhgxf_7xqHycDydX1HY4scr5tnKzJDRfxCkv9Dda8hQ7Vt8lbQjXOyDuylXBkmn3gUCeTB5FOB6PYqdwqA-CTy6R1aEUDcEPOkMbaLCyz_C695l0ScUSk8CLJR5wyarBNRG-/s320/IMG_1165.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Lest you think the garden is ALL food, I wanted to share some of the other wonders in it- like the flowering comfrey. I know, I know, I really shouldn't let the herbs flower... but I love the flowers on comfrey, and I love the bumblebees guarding it!!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3doAh7hJ0-d8JKcoOw7RDVh9gaxOiUFKr6zXiSCGWDuUhTxlv-Ypk7DHUZENzex_cXZnMtMjESVTRk6URIjBUI65y87LPV12wxwGwGrx0OA44bRIPJlh_mybw526QybJRmBv/s1600/IMG_1178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3doAh7hJ0-d8JKcoOw7RDVh9gaxOiUFKr6zXiSCGWDuUhTxlv-Ypk7DHUZENzex_cXZnMtMjESVTRk6URIjBUI65y87LPV12wxwGwGrx0OA44bRIPJlh_mybw526QybJRmBv/s320/IMG_1178.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This blue beauty was the first of the irises to bloom. It used to be in my Mother-in-Law's garden, but my husband took it after she died. It sits in the bed with some other irises we rescued :) I also have one from a friend in there, but I am not sure which it is or what colour it is, so theoretically this might be it anyway :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7MW2EQMjPSYFC7c61RM8ckloVphlD6SmvCiK6wyrmCIJyzvuX8YXL2PDpryK2mRFzjw3ArNO4D6y649O1vXye-DT4y67OAUZScFHRo9GDsjo_VwAR-GlXdm7h31xpWoOeD7p/s1600/IMG_1205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7MW2EQMjPSYFC7c61RM8ckloVphlD6SmvCiK6wyrmCIJyzvuX8YXL2PDpryK2mRFzjw3ArNO4D6y649O1vXye-DT4y67OAUZScFHRo9GDsjo_VwAR-GlXdm7h31xpWoOeD7p/s320/IMG_1205.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br />These yellow ones were also rescued from my Mother-in-Law's garden. They stand in front of some peonies (we also have some of those from MIL's garden, but not these ones) and an heirloom rose. Far in the background you can see the wonderful robin-egg blue pot that my tomato is in :) It sits under the pawpaw for now :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjybKYQuE0ZVAFZHN_eQCGpRhic6JOxPEgz5bRZ3FvqB2o20g-9UFke2BFt_1z2lPRPopZ0NUfuldKHDOlxWz1t1PPfykVbtdqM_3WzhujvFl0d8MY72hi5O_nJZQ5i6yiSdRQ4/s1600/IMG_1203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjybKYQuE0ZVAFZHN_eQCGpRhic6JOxPEgz5bRZ3FvqB2o20g-9UFke2BFt_1z2lPRPopZ0NUfuldKHDOlxWz1t1PPfykVbtdqM_3WzhujvFl0d8MY72hi5O_nJZQ5i6yiSdRQ4/s320/IMG_1203.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br />I have no idea what this iris is. We planted it ages ago and forgot about it- it has a stunning triple bloom- very pretty!<br /><br /><br />It sits amongst the creeping phlox in the fountain garden- where the spiderwort is now blooming :)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJk2z-kPoaT46vGQZ_hLZTx5jEwUuTD6hJykrkfAoedjBKE7CR4zAVBLQ8MqiEdQIPE3gYtY7bLCGwEyhKGbiwqCCkf8zJ4f5Qoil9TZdNnAHoss7aF6MwR7r50s1BflOdO9X/s1600/IMG_1200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJk2z-kPoaT46vGQZ_hLZTx5jEwUuTD6hJykrkfAoedjBKE7CR4zAVBLQ8MqiEdQIPE3gYtY7bLCGwEyhKGbiwqCCkf8zJ4f5Qoil9TZdNnAHoss7aF6MwR7r50s1BflOdO9X/s320/IMG_1200.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />The roses are starting to bloom. This is <i>Rosa damascena versicolor</i>- otherwise known as the Tudor Rose. It has the most wonderful fragrance, and is <i>supposed</i> to get about 5 foot tall. At MOST. This one is about 12 feet tall- and I could not reach this rose to smell it, I had to reach my arms up to get the photo- and the rose is not at the top of the plant!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikS3h2isJ6AdCznRb2CUuEEsxOgfROrSDamV2yIQnIsIY5PqkhH1XqYYnp7L1CUahZN891OOlSMWytQK3ThuDD5QIp6asQwxojvxauR_Dc-C-tXW_f-uzZVBbRwkrFkvp2JaeG/s1600/IMG_1232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikS3h2isJ6AdCznRb2CUuEEsxOgfROrSDamV2yIQnIsIY5PqkhH1XqYYnp7L1CUahZN891OOlSMWytQK3ThuDD5QIp6asQwxojvxauR_Dc-C-tXW_f-uzZVBbRwkrFkvp2JaeG/s320/IMG_1232.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a><br /><br />The periwinkle or <i>Vinca major</i> is also in bloom- a carpet of green leaves studded with blue flowers. They were originally supposed to grow around the mailbox, but they no longer do, because we moved the mailbox. They have spread so far though, that I am sure they'll get back to it soon :) These were gifts from my Mother-in-Law's garden :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXbzAHaX-c2uURgbnbNU12StfE3IasOjIO_TOPHXNV9TGqX2VxFo3GV4Y5tEoTX4kDhbZzDh8gtc5819xOX9M-755344Sr41amT-DiIzbATo_GsKcaUj_PCoKyfliwAeWtiz5/s1600/IMG_1173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXbzAHaX-c2uURgbnbNU12StfE3IasOjIO_TOPHXNV9TGqX2VxFo3GV4Y5tEoTX4kDhbZzDh8gtc5819xOX9M-755344Sr41amT-DiIzbATo_GsKcaUj_PCoKyfliwAeWtiz5/s320/IMG_1173.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a>With all the flowers, it is to be expected that there will be a visitor or two to them.<br />I saw the first hummingbird at our feeder in the last week. He was pitifully thin from his long trip, but there he was.<br />I had had my feeder up for a good week or so already, so I was prepared- unlike last year when he kept hovering around the window trying to tell us to supply his food ;)<br /><br />They are not alone in the garden either. In fact, the garden has been harbouring a thief!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGqJ7rJP0z1M8QsiXetgJZYcbd5CiKOUzq0VmqfQq4PY0Djk_VmmV6hyZgpGEOadktWLoIplTdZTI5ramLd3AILAhhD7mqOfg5r6-hbbkwNtNHRPpI9-Sl-8fqJEWiV83nMO8/s1600/IMG_1130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGqJ7rJP0z1M8QsiXetgJZYcbd5CiKOUzq0VmqfQq4PY0Djk_VmmV6hyZgpGEOadktWLoIplTdZTI5ramLd3AILAhhD7mqOfg5r6-hbbkwNtNHRPpI9-Sl-8fqJEWiV83nMO8/s320/IMG_1130.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>The other day, I came out to find one of my square foot garden grids all messed up... and I blamed the kids or a dog, not thinking too much about it. The grids are made of string this year, and before I bought my skewers to use as stakes, I had used some plant tags...<br />The following day, my daughter asked me "what is that in the tree?".<br />There was a robin, trying to get some string- and not just any string, but some from my garden!! She had managed to get it stuck in the tree- and if you look in the lower half of the photo- dead centre, you can see the plant tag hanging from the barely visible string. Sorry about the photo quality, but it was a rainy day! She kept attacking the string and trying to take it up to her nest- but to no avail.<br />I suspect she was a first timer, because about 30 minutes later, her nest fell out of the tree!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAenuBIvnQpgpmVKiTfrpZjv4XPC5QC4koJWJgWPtyvnaSDOJ1NIdhwRMfhQIPP6KQCrVWNxNytV7xdcbN5bDo0-k5wLev6N3KzLeOPyQMq785ebJ9HuOFoXp79nBs0P5ZlTK/s1600/IMG_1131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAenuBIvnQpgpmVKiTfrpZjv4XPC5QC4koJWJgWPtyvnaSDOJ1NIdhwRMfhQIPP6KQCrVWNxNytV7xdcbN5bDo0-k5wLev6N3KzLeOPyQMq785ebJ9HuOFoXp79nBs0P5ZlTK/s320/IMG_1131.JPG" border="0" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>Here you can see it on the ground- complete with pieces of string and pine needles. She had not finished it yet, so at least there were no eggs!<br />There is also a piece of wool from my spinning stash. I still wonder how that got outside...<br /><br />Well that's the garden so far :) Happy Gardening everyone!Spinnerettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18335780710513434157noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21222437.post-25133761963242469212010-04-08T14:26:00.000-05:002010-04-08T14:26:53.300-05:00GrowCookEatOver on the <a href="http://www.goodlifeeats.com/">Goodlife (Eats)</a> blog, Katie has started a weekly <a href="http://www.goodlifeeats.com/2010/04/announcing-growcookeat.html">'GrowCookEat</a>' post- which every kitchen gardener, might just want to participate in :).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFuLZ_2-HOTwZtaFbAvDyJjr-r8x70HrZJ0BSlRxAfskIz5VSBKqyk5NXjq2LHFcDqheWgAcfDUBf-WMpj3f6aXdFHO3QN0vJw73NYr0wsd2rVGogrHFYcit9odGKUbMtD16R/s1600/4480288352_9f84315057_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFuLZ_2-HOTwZtaFbAvDyJjr-r8x70HrZJ0BSlRxAfskIz5VSBKqyk5NXjq2LHFcDqheWgAcfDUBf-WMpj3f6aXdFHO3QN0vJw73NYr0wsd2rVGogrHFYcit9odGKUbMtD16R/s1600/4480288352_9f84315057_o.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I started my garden a few weeks back- back when it was cold and I thought the weather would never warm up ;) It has warmed since, and promises to stay pretty much that way, although they have changed our forecast since this morning :)<br />
So I thought I would do a last minute post about my garden, and then try to keep up with weekly posts. It is always interesting to see what is happening where anyway!<br />
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On to the garden!<br />
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FRUIT: I have plenty of fruit in the garden <i>growing</i>, whether or not I get to eat it is another matter entirely! Closest to the house, and housed in a pot, is my fig tree.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwS3hjBR4HYzzwUp3PVuL3QfJHO8jJRxRebqRTQvdifFAeLKqkDriotlEA5V1dKqkA1WUvvNTDUFk7AfKBACrNw9oHiNPJ2DsXUbw7UbC52Ex7GD1XE8DdX3ID2QxTibxCOBW/s1600/IMG_1054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwS3hjBR4HYzzwUp3PVuL3QfJHO8jJRxRebqRTQvdifFAeLKqkDriotlEA5V1dKqkA1WUvvNTDUFk7AfKBACrNw9oHiNPJ2DsXUbw7UbC52Ex7GD1XE8DdX3ID2QxTibxCOBW/s320/IMG_1054.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Right now it is little more than twig-stems and these tiny leaves. I was thrilled, because last year I had a cold snap that just sent it back to the ground. I can't say that I have had any decent fruit yet- this will be my third year, but I do indeed get figs :) Tiny figs! I am hoping for something better this year...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWxk8D6vdfDhZxYqjMOFZx5wxq4xdnO-O3Omw7NU2tGLbIHYIaEF8iVBZdhkWXAyxVQmmlaRFAzNUwBjXFVv0WecuLMDZ2Y_e9SE3mBrapF2NC3dU-mIj1kbIXB-evNvNVvF9S/s1600/IMG_1056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWxk8D6vdfDhZxYqjMOFZx5wxq4xdnO-O3Omw7NU2tGLbIHYIaEF8iVBZdhkWXAyxVQmmlaRFAzNUwBjXFVv0WecuLMDZ2Y_e9SE3mBrapF2NC3dU-mIj1kbIXB-evNvNVvF9S/s320/IMG_1056.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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I have two blueberry bushes. It is debatable whether I will get much out of them this year as I JUST bought one and the other has yet to flower much. But I live in hope :) You met the pawpaw (again) in my previous post, so next up are the raspberries...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWi1TnROBMowb_vWqPLN3YoYI6DlB0S92VVc3iGnp7yyx0gezKGCS9PcuBpBa7vdEpzypW5iPfUFA6RZmBTOsQjWCWuqdjLVxen7kK-DAD_ptcSjvXy7E7WZO9jCrgcyCxw-ZT/s1600/IMG_1057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWi1TnROBMowb_vWqPLN3YoYI6DlB0S92VVc3iGnp7yyx0gezKGCS9PcuBpBa7vdEpzypW5iPfUFA6RZmBTOsQjWCWuqdjLVxen7kK-DAD_ptcSjvXy7E7WZO9jCrgcyCxw-ZT/s320/IMG_1057.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Just getting ready to flower! These were a delightful gift from my friend Molly- and now they are going wild! I must have dozens of new canes shooting up just these past few weeks! I love that (shame the ants like the raspberries too!).<br />
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As a companion, there are my (or the kids' rather) new strawberry plants...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3PHEjZKIG7EIowbcft_tw4XFFI_2ro-K7kFLdfNXKPO3nwH7nPc1F4_5NF0IVt4F9-1Yrswimi7lD8XgFL0tPwN2qCzqjAfUQs_uizGLo_WueknQur6WM7wcjjHNaG3mnOfqo/s1600/IMG_1008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3PHEjZKIG7EIowbcft_tw4XFFI_2ro-K7kFLdfNXKPO3nwH7nPc1F4_5NF0IVt4F9-1Yrswimi7lD8XgFL0tPwN2qCzqjAfUQs_uizGLo_WueknQur6WM7wcjjHNaG3mnOfqo/s320/IMG_1008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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They share a bed with my chives (also seen in a previous post) and the future herbs I hope to host in this same bed. I am waiting for our herbs galore festival, but I already have a list! The kids are quite excited to see these berries already!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSa8FkYKN1p43IedkfeMLja3k8wHTEE5uR0-a5Baid3yTgifgNRcbtrk62XyTG9MK6c3XNNnrx8eNkYngZTtWsrQGPpWLEb4tbbPqv8OCPI2n_LVkK32ET6Lm-xum076hkXvxm/s1600/IMG_1058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSa8FkYKN1p43IedkfeMLja3k8wHTEE5uR0-a5Baid3yTgifgNRcbtrk62XyTG9MK6c3XNNnrx8eNkYngZTtWsrQGPpWLEb4tbbPqv8OCPI2n_LVkK32ET6Lm-xum076hkXvxm/s320/IMG_1058.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Further over on the hill, the <b>Trifoliate Orange</b> is beginning to show its fruit. I showed the flowers from just last week, the heat made them last just a few days!<br />
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And now on to the vegetables! I showed the broccoli and potatoes earlier- nothing spectacular about the broccoli, but the potatoes are really doing well! I hope I get lots of potatoes- I get very mixed luck with them! (It is dependant on weather).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOeIwkrNM9BS5rn5h-gxW3icMMyHwZvWW7ZudZxWgZsqgJa-96ZAIcyWqTy0fgcFOpwbQUIQeu1aL7m58K8F33EprZQPbZgrJGsWDisB_nRH5NZJwpF5WDD2zrEWEAtpqoA4kj/s1600/IMG_1036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOeIwkrNM9BS5rn5h-gxW3icMMyHwZvWW7ZudZxWgZsqgJa-96ZAIcyWqTy0fgcFOpwbQUIQeu1aL7m58K8F33EprZQPbZgrJGsWDisB_nRH5NZJwpF5WDD2zrEWEAtpqoA4kj/s320/IMG_1036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
But there is almost a bed full of them and I am always hopeful!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMcp4SPXjS2GY5P0t_AkYUPtgU1etwUkro1FiNsB1XlrASAmAwuUz8waf9tMRLy4YyNzryCbaxfzbaNRcpeqWZAAPtCTNZKj2lHwjatFeLG4CIgmbeNIk5FFUTSPFvGqpaebK/s1600/IMG_1029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMcp4SPXjS2GY5P0t_AkYUPtgU1etwUkro1FiNsB1XlrASAmAwuUz8waf9tMRLy4YyNzryCbaxfzbaNRcpeqWZAAPtCTNZKj2lHwjatFeLG4CIgmbeNIk5FFUTSPFvGqpaebK/s320/IMG_1029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Here is one of the onions... well shallots actually :) These are pretty experimental for me... a new thing to my garden (at least in that I managed to plant them on time, I think I might have tried them once before...) They are tiny, taking up a very small portion of the square foot they were in.<br />
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You can see how big it is :) There are several shallots in each square, I think 4, so they should all be coming up soon!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEP3PgIeuRHuCCy5wl2A4tRj7KtekwxCFZX72vdKXfze-FL-Hr47nJQ_A4FYVG1oYU0nX39tztBMlc8KoLKPGSxm3yZ16hLc25KK_khTVW0PAHfjRorZPcME8_MLR-i1pCoaQ/s1600/IMG_1068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEP3PgIeuRHuCCy5wl2A4tRj7KtekwxCFZX72vdKXfze-FL-Hr47nJQ_A4FYVG1oYU0nX39tztBMlc8KoLKPGSxm3yZ16hLc25KK_khTVW0PAHfjRorZPcME8_MLR-i1pCoaQ/s320/IMG_1068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Swiss chard seedlings. I have 4 squares, each with 1 allocated plant. This one of course is waiting to be thinned :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhLrDrjiNE13NIxfDF2_bRGcFI6ivE-bUKlByiue62oXloBbuDFOUMwarJeUgXD4pnibp_d_6DgU1KMB2UPp_RGXk70r8gMTajpi2aD31U7nO4jdDG8kuC6dZHuYGoacB5rCU/s1600/IMG_1035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhLrDrjiNE13NIxfDF2_bRGcFI6ivE-bUKlByiue62oXloBbuDFOUMwarJeUgXD4pnibp_d_6DgU1KMB2UPp_RGXk70r8gMTajpi2aD31U7nO4jdDG8kuC6dZHuYGoacB5rCU/s320/IMG_1035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Carrots. Also waiting to be thinned ;) I am waiting for the second set of leaves on my seedlings, by the way, before I thin much!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHuKZVxX8ZTNF49BV-opWiSVuooHrXg4PvdqJilSLF45yvd2EMdqYTq0rHbFukD0dSQwZVpmX1wFtYwiQHBv7h3voNhbuzq9t72N0W7Cqqh0dtJn6lnadPE49qbvMwjY0vokE/s1600/IMG_1033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHuKZVxX8ZTNF49BV-opWiSVuooHrXg4PvdqJilSLF45yvd2EMdqYTq0rHbFukD0dSQwZVpmX1wFtYwiQHBv7h3voNhbuzq9t72N0W7Cqqh0dtJn6lnadPE49qbvMwjY0vokE/s320/IMG_1033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Spinach. Three squares with spinach. I am hoping these do well, I love fresh spinach! especially with strawberries!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFGoTCfpmBOw79Zh0DBpriRD4jZfgY6Ihk9zr4bF3GJvfQYeORd_RkNaPTi2mEEJqIGhDYWBOBO2wSVvxt1yPAY3MPUkkhyphenhyphenyWalc1W7-5pHMpOdJv351n7ACAICK1RS_QLqSC/s1600/IMG_1032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFGoTCfpmBOw79Zh0DBpriRD4jZfgY6Ihk9zr4bF3GJvfQYeORd_RkNaPTi2mEEJqIGhDYWBOBO2wSVvxt1yPAY3MPUkkhyphenhyphenyWalc1W7-5pHMpOdJv351n7ACAICK1RS_QLqSC/s320/IMG_1032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Lettuce- another three squares with lettuce. In both cases there are about 4 plants to each square, and I have planted them in a spot which will eventually have shade as the weather warms and the pawpaw grows leaves :) This is important to these cool weather crops which get bitter with heat and tend to bolt. You can see this lettuce mix is one with a red tint- heirloom variety!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7musQKI-1-_N9AVG9hYdYCbUltTbZQRQW7LFbRMRedagLk2VBqm2AYIALCK2FUxZTvaC1tCCAyyJPinoObLcoiITeHSfMrnpJvosCW3uLZrFxL6alDP4sMx7ze0Nuposyzg4/s1600/IMG_1031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7musQKI-1-_N9AVG9hYdYCbUltTbZQRQW7LFbRMRedagLk2VBqm2AYIALCK2FUxZTvaC1tCCAyyJPinoObLcoiITeHSfMrnpJvosCW3uLZrFxL6alDP4sMx7ze0Nuposyzg4/s320/IMG_1031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Beet seedlings. They look almost identical to Swiss Chard seedlings (so I might have my pictures mixed up LOL) because chard is essentially beet leaves! I thinned these after taking the photo!<br />
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In the next couple of weeks I will be getting ready to plant corn, beans and limas... and of course, my herbs :)<br />
I also hope to pick up 2 tomato plants, indeterminate, one cherry and one large! Keep watching!Spinnerettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18335780710513434157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21222437.post-9609176298844659462010-04-08T10:25:00.000-05:002010-04-08T10:25:29.343-05:00Spring-Summer-Spring-SummerBack on the rollercoaster rider of a Virginian spring- today in the 80's, tomorrow the 60's, 70's the next day, then back up to the 80's. I am still a little worried about my seeds- cool weather crops don't like warm weather much. I really should know this by now!<br />
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The peas are really growing now... it's just about time for me to go appropriate their trellis and put it up for them to grow up :) I am beginning to regret this variety, I should have gone for the more heat tolerant one again. I do have some of those ready for a autumn crop...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5n5aLCr9-qY20VikyWnh1_R4TUOGIjntPZ5j_wzrHUm_6UNoloPgm-yaKPl_CrUjfBU9D2ghvtKXTxX5myAP55wtxQiP1gw5IPSxzGaMurJqT76MVFz31aGA28VpRwcNqpee/s1600/potatoesbroccoli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5n5aLCr9-qY20VikyWnh1_R4TUOGIjntPZ5j_wzrHUm_6UNoloPgm-yaKPl_CrUjfBU9D2ghvtKXTxX5myAP55wtxQiP1gw5IPSxzGaMurJqT76MVFz31aGA28VpRwcNqpee/s320/potatoesbroccoli.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>My potatoes and broccoli are really coming along. I have yet to get the bed set up with the new sides here, but you can see how the broccoli (back row) and potatoes (all the other squares) look.... I am hoping the hot weather is going to dissipate and let them all grow a nice crop of little potatoes :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdD4EXcpSdrNb-IzQ_XWSBXH6BO_qg9GUlfKwG-1q6zhC8FU7qJfuzp6WTfu-6RHClGzC24w2f4f4vsxZnBENqFTDSVNMgD0YZxDACKGuXw-F-Z00Lk-IlFzAzoWpVD_3f61X/s1600/pawpaws.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdD4EXcpSdrNb-IzQ_XWSBXH6BO_qg9GUlfKwG-1q6zhC8FU7qJfuzp6WTfu-6RHClGzC24w2f4f4vsxZnBENqFTDSVNMgD0YZxDACKGuXw-F-Z00Lk-IlFzAzoWpVD_3f61X/s320/pawpaws.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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I have shown pawpaws on my blog before- this is the annual flower shot :) The bottom one is newer than the top- and we now have three pawpaw trees in bloom. I am not happy about the third- it is in a BAD spot! They are extremely difficult to re-locate though.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfde5iTgfrNXATdTcwMGo2hAh9lptzWZNe4IFhRsypAFdk5_yRJ8oFV4ll9k9VqM5ur29pEP3NVjDfhHEvzsdpnQ2PhyphenhyphenQtMMgD2yOM0-An5xo-d51ZcQYSV0l8OubFULpQ8tQ9/s1600/lilac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfde5iTgfrNXATdTcwMGo2hAh9lptzWZNe4IFhRsypAFdk5_yRJ8oFV4ll9k9VqM5ur29pEP3NVjDfhHEvzsdpnQ2PhyphenhyphenQtMMgD2yOM0-An5xo-d51ZcQYSV0l8OubFULpQ8tQ9/s320/lilac.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The lilacs are already blooming- just stunning. I love their scent. And they are such pretty flowers, I am thinking of drawing them :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMK4S5FL6IqfUkh7JHGl-xGHP3RO89nt_iz2pKBdh6ucKHrz2NoCqijgN_iip8qXdyUk2_HgKS7_lu8u2ym91xMZseNXVIKRse2NR3pjyQdfawScFhh2Oyff36nmNfH7NeP-R/s1600/rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMK4S5FL6IqfUkh7JHGl-xGHP3RO89nt_iz2pKBdh6ucKHrz2NoCqijgN_iip8qXdyUk2_HgKS7_lu8u2ym91xMZseNXVIKRse2NR3pjyQdfawScFhh2Oyff36nmNfH7NeP-R/s320/rose.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Even the roses are getting ready to bloom! Typically these roses are May or June bloomers, so to have buds in early April is a little early! But that's the weather for you.<br />
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Right now though, everything is coated in a sticky layer of pollen. There are several culprits, but here are the two main ones in <i>my</i> garden...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiC3_-uv8tv-djTPJuZdLqro4hW3tFXqCR3MxZ0Qpvf-Augs0CLMNIRsxaCVcHR6IhxP_7Vkh1af36LBFvYK3YIiOCKtTLxCc5gSL2uyB8ESk3DKeHN9gzOA_70alySw0iFLtB/s1600/pineflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiC3_-uv8tv-djTPJuZdLqro4hW3tFXqCR3MxZ0Qpvf-Augs0CLMNIRsxaCVcHR6IhxP_7Vkh1af36LBFvYK3YIiOCKtTLxCc5gSL2uyB8ESk3DKeHN9gzOA_70alySw0iFLtB/s320/pineflowers.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>White Pine. The flowers are quite something aren't they? These are wind pollinated trees, so the stuff is blown hither and yon all around the neighbourhood. It is truly unfortunate for us that there are two right in our front yard- they are not especially nice trees!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNiH65_6GU8kj034SOunEy7ffSW-r-cjpVQAvzeQImEQCXsIvMCB9NrxfZumOcvzmq1DcWXqu6i_hQPkd4rSiteLsRIZG95T_wHUPhZfWLfGgqbTEOiOqe8trj5xZEjGOAr3X/s1600/birch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNiH65_6GU8kj034SOunEy7ffSW-r-cjpVQAvzeQImEQCXsIvMCB9NrxfZumOcvzmq1DcWXqu6i_hQPkd4rSiteLsRIZG95T_wHUPhZfWLfGgqbTEOiOqe8trj5xZEjGOAr3X/s320/birch.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>The other culprit is a birch- in this case a paperbark birch. These 'catkins' are the birch flowers- another wind born pollen bearer! I am not as upset with this one- because I truly love birches- and the 'paperbark' is fascinating. Wonder if it makes for a good canvas...<br />
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There are signs of my lettuce, beet, chard and onions popping up, and I believe I saw a carrot or two this morning as well. I also found two 'wild' lettuce and chard plants growing in my beds- volunteers from other years. I wont complain though, I love these little visitors! I'll save posting pictures of those until another day :)Spinnerettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18335780710513434157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21222437.post-82556619794719911962010-04-06T14:20:00.000-05:002010-04-06T14:20:35.389-05:00Spring- or Summer...It is currently 90* outside- yes on the 6th April. No, that is not normal, but then neither is it atypical for Virginia, where our spring weather is a roller coaster of up-and-down temperatures. The weather forecast is for 64* on Friday, so you can see the change!<br />
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The only problem with prolongued periods of warm weather in spring, is that the pollen count goes WAY up, and then the family starts coughing and sneezing until the offending tree (our white pines) stop production.<br />
We do have some GOOD things though... for instance, the 'helicopter' seed of the red maple is a lot of fun...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83I0Vx4F-tsFXB9h8KA2CE0nCIoTjW7IBbONvjWdqrUFzy3ya7cFcC0-fUJfGXooOcOTC206SrwtMmk7LkS0_cmoBdF1QTU2Eykp07WbfSbhp4JDICaslYSIhQtq2NqvFMXd5/s1600-h/Red%20Maple%20Helicopter%20seeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83I0Vx4F-tsFXB9h8KA2CE0nCIoTjW7IBbONvjWdqrUFzy3ya7cFcC0-fUJfGXooOcOTC206SrwtMmk7LkS0_cmoBdF1QTU2Eykp07WbfSbhp4JDICaslYSIhQtq2NqvFMXd5/s320/Red%20Maple%20Helicopter%20seeds.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>These were sitting in my kitchen, courtesy of one of the kids!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8H0svR75p5NPtNGVW-JXRSX7emGWzdlALNgmjhxKBi_OT9gJshocj624VHaZthZjguvjOOJ42H-1OvaYZIxTY3FAUO8y2DU655EUrRqf64M1ZdqIram04dSr6P1VB2dwn5FWd/s1600-h/springviolet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8H0svR75p5NPtNGVW-JXRSX7emGWzdlALNgmjhxKBi_OT9gJshocj624VHaZthZjguvjOOJ42H-1OvaYZIxTY3FAUO8y2DU655EUrRqf64M1ZdqIram04dSr6P1VB2dwn5FWd/s320/springviolet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Then there are the spring flowers... amazingly beautiful and stunning in colour. From violets (above) to peach blossoms (below)...<br />
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There are the trifoliate orange blossoms...<br />
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And my pea seedlings...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>And then there is the garden itself... its prettiest time of year!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsp2qpyrLkcg25gB6ALTAvRv6PVlsL84492kPAjF3VvMlPn0b6QWN19APkrcetXIkfmThDpWsP5P7Xn1v18ac6qYcPE8fCxSH2biaHGojR2YA_ygqWSdF_Y95rmMWHddqmX_Pp/s1600-h/garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsp2qpyrLkcg25gB6ALTAvRv6PVlsL84492kPAjF3VvMlPn0b6QWN19APkrcetXIkfmThDpWsP5P7Xn1v18ac6qYcPE8fCxSH2biaHGojR2YA_ygqWSdF_Y95rmMWHddqmX_Pp/s320/garden.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Spinnerettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18335780710513434157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21222437.post-12129613071183022302010-04-01T08:37:00.000-05:002010-04-01T08:37:41.441-05:00Speaking of Square Foot GardensI just wanted to share a resource a friend shared a few weeks back, that I really must pass on.<br />
You might have noticed the lovely Square Foot Garden logo on the sidebar...<br />
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THAT will link you to <a href="http://www.mysquarefootgarden.net/">THIS</a> site... which is a pot pourri of information and resources for you to use with your square foot garden!<br />
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Definitely take a trawl through the site, you will find so much to offer!!Spinnerettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18335780710513434157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21222437.post-89967415025652493622010-03-30T11:23:00.001-05:002010-03-30T11:24:56.751-05:00A Peek at My Square Foot GardenI suppose I should share some of what is going on in my garden- we have managed to get out there the last few weekends- despite the fact that we have had a year's worth of rain in the last few months!! The local weather man says that since November, we've had 60% of the yearly total, and should we have had it all as snow it would be 300 inches deep!<br />But I digress, back to the garden :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>About 2 weeks ago, I repurposed an old mailbox we had sitting under the back porch. We just replaced the mailbox post out front, and now we had the old one, kind of feeble, but still useful. We have been using the old box for years, so it seemed quite logical when my son suggested putting it outside of the garden, to do just as he suggested.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYTFYEL8EYhRw38xkVN3ZkmTMKibBaLwYsofh9yuysktj1oP-PhtPxEx3FD1nZi3F3Nxh1nv2jVm57pPO_fKTjpygOwS0i7S88NLd-Tk8ETMsuAsnz_fEdGEKmmrUsakPpn-r/s1600-h/IMG_0818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYTFYEL8EYhRw38xkVN3ZkmTMKibBaLwYsofh9yuysktj1oP-PhtPxEx3FD1nZi3F3Nxh1nv2jVm57pPO_fKTjpygOwS0i7S88NLd-Tk8ETMsuAsnz_fEdGEKmmrUsakPpn-r/s320/IMG_0818.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>I painted the mailbox beautiful bright colours :) Because I think they are pretty and because I wanted it to obviously NOT be a mailbox in use for mail ;)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKG0ijjbxKiYyTiKV1zXNTQk4lnU9IaRt5m9YfQQffhwXFoQUK5uQgi-BZitj4VAfbKYUc2GFaq2A8YrZCxPSsV0sMLW-nCRZl6yIaEWhvhSD13vFxKbkP7yJkHCPkDwziizI/s1600-h/IMG_0819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKG0ijjbxKiYyTiKV1zXNTQk4lnU9IaRt5m9YfQQffhwXFoQUK5uQgi-BZitj4VAfbKYUc2GFaq2A8YrZCxPSsV0sMLW-nCRZl6yIaEWhvhSD13vFxKbkP7yJkHCPkDwziizI/s320/IMG_0819.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>Inside are stored garden tools- the small ones- and the kids' gloves for gardening. Plant labels, twine... you know the kinds of things!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgc8LJiOd2I-NhffTdLs9pCD3xkPnzQt3MgXgi-SXVLWfB__mQj6KypAS2tRwi82jsTdl7IwAf5qlfwcNiRM-EJ7NellUAB4Qh65F1CmfEwidmhw5yo_4Si-FdJ7Ptz3bH4R5/s1600-h/IMG_0811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgc8LJiOd2I-NhffTdLs9pCD3xkPnzQt3MgXgi-SXVLWfB__mQj6KypAS2tRwi82jsTdl7IwAf5qlfwcNiRM-EJ7NellUAB4Qh65F1CmfEwidmhw5yo_4Si-FdJ7Ptz3bH4R5/s320/IMG_0811.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>Here is the working garden. Through the arbour, down the path- you are in the middle of my square foot garden. Not all have grids yet- I need to work on those!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiOvnDAT9OltlEtBNdVWphaOIrYDZbHgsS5MzpAZk9YcufqGs7IzazvLdoH3_alHxsWuRONwevOLixr6YISCluOdHZFDqSYTlsNYGhobkIZpvT_7T6qglyTX3PXHYq67Qubp2/s1600-h/IMG_0812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiOvnDAT9OltlEtBNdVWphaOIrYDZbHgsS5MzpAZk9YcufqGs7IzazvLdoH3_alHxsWuRONwevOLixr6YISCluOdHZFDqSYTlsNYGhobkIZpvT_7T6qglyTX3PXHYq67Qubp2/s320/IMG_0812.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>This one in the front has the new raised bed frame around it. Eventually they will all be like this. Those are peas in the front there, and the recently added soil is covering Swiss Chard :)<br />The back one has 4 squares shallots, 3 square lettuce, 3 squares spinach, 3 squares beets... and 3 spare squares.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-6XHygDjyRY0mj5Xq-r1a90XyNpAWRAU6vFcucm6sXmiocTy2i5ERSYILyAj3QQuEUCMYMiQnAID5Kobc2zLRDnkkgjDbBP9-2VZxOXaaAlzCFkrH6hlobgVgsQss9B3xtAG/s1600-h/IMG_0813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-6XHygDjyRY0mj5Xq-r1a90XyNpAWRAU6vFcucm6sXmiocTy2i5ERSYILyAj3QQuEUCMYMiQnAID5Kobc2zLRDnkkgjDbBP9-2VZxOXaaAlzCFkrH6hlobgVgsQss9B3xtAG/s320/IMG_0813.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>The grid in this bed is actually a tomato tower. It is a great temporary grid! Those 4 squares are carrots. Behind it are potatoes and broccoli and the one in front will eventually house beans.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoL2wIyaOfA8TPZf-uqcDZ4UYI3nls2evHSqlpptI4_9GOpByKGrScVBjIwlib2mHEI42Uljxi0PI39jekUQvjQPm2h0wrfihK16hq7Ohfttz6JNRH-sbJWfnLecypsdeYeuM/s1600-h/IMG_0815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoL2wIyaOfA8TPZf-uqcDZ4UYI3nls2evHSqlpptI4_9GOpByKGrScVBjIwlib2mHEI42Uljxi0PI39jekUQvjQPm2h0wrfihK16hq7Ohfttz6JNRH-sbJWfnLecypsdeYeuM/s320/IMG_0815.JPG" border="0" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>The yearly Easter garden sits in front of newly planted strawberries and transplanted garlic chives. I need to clean up our gravel some though...<br /><br />So there it is, a sneak peek at what is happening in my central Virginia garden :) How is your garden growing?Spinnerettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18335780710513434157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21222437.post-77415015472382212262010-03-27T09:40:00.005-05:002010-03-27T10:15:00.111-05:00Signs of Spring Outdoor HourI was excited when I saw Barb's challenge last week was 'Signs of Spring'. Because- well because we'd been watching them ourselves!! Somewhere in the house, the kids have journalled their signs of spring.<br />Unfortunately I think they might have had their work appropriated for display!<br /><br />First sign of spring in our garden (apart from weeds) is always my sorrel:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiprVuXB6IJHLsCh7lwul-egsgdmbhkiXwylOZIQgbQbAMtBPtN4XjJk1xT1F-7kR_vVE26lOhELO4nhtqmXXB2tlwmc5YsjAqoGxZ5oACSNCdbUTgnBMu2jUCl7zYXJSgEbmK/s1600/SOS1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiprVuXB6IJHLsCh7lwul-egsgdmbhkiXwylOZIQgbQbAMtBPtN4XjJk1xT1F-7kR_vVE26lOhELO4nhtqmXXB2tlwmc5YsjAqoGxZ5oACSNCdbUTgnBMu2jUCl7zYXJSgEbmK/s400/SOS1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453326370522768434" border="0" /></a>It has a tart lemony flavour, and one day I will find a recipe that is great to use it for LOL One of my first plants of the year is my first edible too :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmq0elfekij0CtNT4BnZwl2TEk1hZNdDJvOEfwTsIQsAdoCGdC8o5oCEL9fLBobSbRgIsJ7bu2K7tUtaUo3JhHWR7rzf6UBogPLNcKw3jMFVcIrmtJwKjMk6TOi1twh0OOCvAL/s1600/SOS7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmq0elfekij0CtNT4BnZwl2TEk1hZNdDJvOEfwTsIQsAdoCGdC8o5oCEL9fLBobSbRgIsJ7bu2K7tUtaUo3JhHWR7rzf6UBogPLNcKw3jMFVcIrmtJwKjMk6TOi1twh0OOCvAL/s400/SOS7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453326735268347602" border="0" /></a>The hyacinths were next to appear. This is a bulb which has been in the garden a few years- which is why it doesn't look as full as normal ones. Typically hyacinths do this. Still smells good though!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFJ1oCxjPcvsi9Op3oBYy-ZJKnyuiYkoBxemta33MNPGV-6KfaOAqq35I6fNm9J-DWsbAopOCGOrskDJwIIlUcVvt84LSIh1TIAOxUXhFt4w64PDvcfC8XaaBvjnR6PegOSoL/s1600/SOS4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFJ1oCxjPcvsi9Op3oBYy-ZJKnyuiYkoBxemta33MNPGV-6KfaOAqq35I6fNm9J-DWsbAopOCGOrskDJwIIlUcVvt84LSIh1TIAOxUXhFt4w64PDvcfC8XaaBvjnR6PegOSoL/s400/SOS4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453326391050782802" border="0" /></a>Speedwell and it's cultivated cousin, this particular <span style="font-style: italic;">Veronica sp</span>. are frequently the first bloomers in the garden. I like the colours of the cultivated one better- the flower near the top on the right is in front of one of the wild ones, so you can see the contrast :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjxTf0a3jLWASBSYzdFqJCOHnvX3s6KY7_wov1_xqbINOwdGNsC1WFPvTpAAkhOZoPd-cMI0vg2GoG6uANUHM20obUfWgdCf0TGbO-smf_bMr7KiBobh4Okxb3_FPKuwGNwm6/s1600/SOS2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjxTf0a3jLWASBSYzdFqJCOHnvX3s6KY7_wov1_xqbINOwdGNsC1WFPvTpAAkhOZoPd-cMI0vg2GoG6uANUHM20obUfWgdCf0TGbO-smf_bMr7KiBobh4Okxb3_FPKuwGNwm6/s400/SOS2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453326375244159986" border="0" /></a>I have never planted daffodils- we transplanted these from some wild ones growing down our hill. I love them for what they mean- it's spring!!<br /><br />If you look back in my files, you'll see other photos of our <span style="font-style: italic;">Vinca major</span> from years past... it always blooms early :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRB1zUYmr1HxsFcpjzsYrPB4VX6thyV_fIaHu8USYrqf3th7ok7lzCKYDtIOGz9VI46hL6kA-d8tp7DO2WI0v9wW0CGuuWwAS35aFZZXQmHXaIe5O_mchC_pZTRwWMqVEFQsQ/s1600/SOS3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRB1zUYmr1HxsFcpjzsYrPB4VX6thyV_fIaHu8USYrqf3th7ok7lzCKYDtIOGz9VI46hL6kA-d8tp7DO2WI0v9wW0CGuuWwAS35aFZZXQmHXaIe5O_mchC_pZTRwWMqVEFQsQ/s400/SOS3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453326380816503826" border="0" /></a>The Bradford pear blossoms are beautiful- but they really don't smell very nice! Still, they look good on camera ;)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhN_ypd9Gk-MWoLQ8XI4Iw9ZYBbEccWhcWBBo7eRV-ya61_NMg5KZMwbYIyTo5CDpLTFAkb-C2PmVF_0AQLAX8s35rl1_xvbxbv7DQCEkDUnkqGupys-bnvrbYfAfytjkjJLq/s1600/SOS6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhN_ypd9Gk-MWoLQ8XI4Iw9ZYBbEccWhcWBBo7eRV-ya61_NMg5KZMwbYIyTo5CDpLTFAkb-C2PmVF_0AQLAX8s35rl1_xvbxbv7DQCEkDUnkqGupys-bnvrbYfAfytjkjJLq/s400/SOS6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453326729744459986" border="0" /></a>My kids HAD to have some strawberry plants. I think they are hoping for a crop- well they'll definitely get a couple of berries if nothing else :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpohSsl2RZbwSDMRXUu8mkvTvnN01x3XdoqVIJuL4w7mvrz96FWdM-l-jxgA3rMgZGy0rxuP5VrHRzrOpeXqBwRJFqvLmJyqeHPXjdK-oJGXNPPr3OdF0cAJDgAruzuUNHhcJJ/s1600/SOS5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpohSsl2RZbwSDMRXUu8mkvTvnN01x3XdoqVIJuL4w7mvrz96FWdM-l-jxgA3rMgZGy0rxuP5VrHRzrOpeXqBwRJFqvLmJyqeHPXjdK-oJGXNPPr3OdF0cAJDgAruzuUNHhcJJ/s400/SOS5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453326394782428754" border="0" /></a>The best part about the first few days of spring, is that it finally gets warm enough to sit outside and draw.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6d6aCFdmrvUYkfVVQi3qtaTjGsjCFuStX1SiGFxVz3zPzksMuwMhNd6QGOEPCxpqIHb0dV0ycvjjlWoj7BON1lrNNRKbWIDacWBozSmjXzYEuLeF-UUirq256z_QAJiemWriC/s1600/FirstofSpring1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6d6aCFdmrvUYkfVVQi3qtaTjGsjCFuStX1SiGFxVz3zPzksMuwMhNd6QGOEPCxpqIHb0dV0ycvjjlWoj7BON1lrNNRKbWIDacWBozSmjXzYEuLeF-UUirq256z_QAJiemWriC/s400/FirstofSpring1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453326740235432626" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5aRwTyPzpJGLIFJi1zJwiL6CkkOk6Ws_nKkdiw5W64j32cVX8h3mM615uatfA2fy95apDZz7Js-1ZtlK1dKYY2Z5wx1Ia50TY5SCePnJ5eHBID574zsj6z1Ux9mQmkPziiKkF/s1600/firstofSpring2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5aRwTyPzpJGLIFJi1zJwiL6CkkOk6Ws_nKkdiw5W64j32cVX8h3mM615uatfA2fy95apDZz7Js-1ZtlK1dKYY2Z5wx1Ia50TY5SCePnJ5eHBID574zsj6z1Ux9mQmkPziiKkF/s400/firstofSpring2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453326748002484306" border="0" /></a>And I actually have things to draw!! You can see I have actually drawn some of the things I photographed :)<br />I can tell you now, we also have grape hyacinths and a few peach blossoms. Photos to come later!!<br /><br /><br />P.S. Yes, there is a new look to the blog, I am still working on it though, so it might well change :)<br />Blogger has allowed new template adjustments, so I am messing with them ;)Spinnerettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18335780710513434157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21222437.post-66120964001511362812010-03-12T11:43:00.002-05:002010-03-12T11:46:00.200-05:00Signs of Spring<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rproffitt/4427465092/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2756/4427465092_4b8ac44ffa_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.9em;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rproffitt/4427465092/">Signs of Spring</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/rproffitt/">Spinneretta</a></span></div>It happened suddenly. The weather hopped up 10 degrees, maybe as much as 15 degrees between one day and the next, and spring arrived. <br />The first week of March was cool- in the 40's and 50's (that's between 4 and 12 degrees C). By the second week we were hitting the mid 60's (17C) to low 70's (22C).<br />Spring is here. We'll ride the rollercoaster of temperatures between the mid 50's to mid 70's over the next month, before gradually evening out into our summer temps by the end of April, but in the meantime, we are going to enjoy the progress of spring.<br /><br />I have already seen my first crocus- hidden down in the woods and discovered by the kids. In some parts of the neighbourhood, daffodils are blooming- while they remain stubby leaves in my beds right now. My Hyacinths are ready to put forth flowers, though they will never be the showy blooms we got that first year (apparently that is perfectly normal, though I do wonder why).<br />So on a warm, but overcast day, I sat outside and drew some signs of spring.<br />I do it every year now.<br />A year ago, the crocus and daffodils were out and our neighbour's Bradford Pear was in blossom I have the pictures to prove it.<br />2 years ago I have pictures of me doing the gardening :) I didn't have a scanner then, so I have to actually look at my journals :) According to <i>those</i>, we first got into the garden in mid February and by this time in March, the trees were all blossoming and the henbit was out. So you can tell we have had a longer winter this year!!<br />In my picture, you can see the wild speedwell (the cultivated is not yet blossoming), <a href="http://www.weedalert.com/weed_pages/wa_purple_deadnettle.htm" rel="nofollow">purple deadnettle</a> (<i>Lamium purpureum</i>), daffodil leaves and <a href="http://www.nearctica.com/flowers/brassic/cardam/Cpensyl.htm" rel="nofollow">Pennsylvania Bittercress</a> (<i>Cardamine pensylvanica</i>).Spinnerettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18335780710513434157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21222437.post-8715406188690237222010-03-11T09:21:00.002-05:002010-03-11T09:24:56.526-05:00Cowbirds<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rproffitt/4424217121/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4424217121_6e7cd288a7_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.9em;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rproffitt/4424217121/">Cowbirds</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/rproffitt/">Spinneretta</a></span></div>With the arrival of warmer weather, we took the opportunity to put our solar powered fountain back out. This has always been a huge draw for the birds, and sure enough we were inundated with them.<br />Even when I am outdoors, sitting at the patio table, the birds will happily come and drink from the fountain just a few feet away from me!<br />So while in the garden one day, I decide to draw the fountain and any birds that visited.<br />Of course THAT day, the kids stayed near me and no birds would visit while they wriggled around, so I drew the pair of brown-headed cowbirds that had visited the day before :)<br /><br />I can't say that cowbirds are my favourite bird, they are notorious for their bad behavior- <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/brown-headed_cowbird/id">they are the cuckoos of North America</a>!! The females lay their eggs in other birds nests, usually at the expense of the other bird's own offspring!Spinnerettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18335780710513434157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21222437.post-88725501176277611172010-03-10T09:15:00.002-05:002010-03-10T09:16:50.167-05:00seeds<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rproffitt/4422591926/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2764/4422591926_2be1dff14f_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.9em;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rproffitt/4422591926/">seeds</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/rproffitt/">Spinneretta</a></span></div>I was thrilled when the weather forecasters told us what the weather would be like this week. Sunday was about 60 degrees F (about 15 degrees C) which is warmer than it has been for AGES. An unusual cold winter for us- normally we see warm patches here and there, but not this year.<br />Today they say it will reach 74F (23C).<br />So it is not too surprising that I got out my seed packets and planted some seeds- in peat pellets inside :) Truth be told, most of these could probably go outside too, BUT my square foot beds are not quite ready- the snow covering them and the rain after just made this happen a lot later than normal!<br /><br />The kids helped me plant the seeds- DD was especially excited because she is looking forward to eating them all ;)Spinnerettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18335780710513434157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21222437.post-26326873531332998022010-03-03T20:16:00.002-05:002010-03-03T20:18:23.569-05:00Moon Pillar<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rproffitt/4405410630/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2680/4405410630_3585686771_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.9em;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rproffitt/4405410630/">Moon Pillar</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/rproffitt/">Spinneretta</a></span></div>The other day, we were out and about after the full moon had risen. It was a beautiful moon- but most astonishingly, it had a shaft of light above and below it- rather than the usual corona.<br />I asked my weather expert (yes he is 10, but he is really into this LOL) and he tells me it is called a "Moon Pillar".<br />I was not able to draw it on site or take photos (we were never stopped in a place where it was visible :( ), but I had my memory- and I used it (and my watercolour pencils) to record it when I got home :)Spinnerettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18335780710513434157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21222437.post-75256117806267103732010-03-02T18:13:00.004-05:002010-03-02T18:27:19.436-05:00First Signs of SpringThe weekend just gone by, was finally warm enough to get some yard work done. Usually we've been able to do this work during January- on the one or two warm weekends then, or earlier in February. This year it was almost March, and I was beginning to despair of ever being able to get the garden beds ready in time. I am still not sure they will be ready, but it wont be because *I* didn't try!<br />I took the opportunity the following day, to record my hard work with some new watercolour pencils. I am not absolutely familiar with them yet, but I shall enjoy learning to use them ;)<br /><br />First I drew the garden beds I had so lovingly prepared. They are 4' by 4' square beds. Eventually I hope to have a taller and thinner frame so I can nail my grids to them, because yes, I am planning on another square foot garden :)<br />The beds were originally 4' by 4' squares, then I merged them into two long beds. Now I have taken them back to 4' x 4' squares because I just liked them that way, and my husband said it was a more useful shape :) We'll see!<br />That right hand square on the lower right is one I am planning to use for salad stuff- it gets shady in the summer allowing me to keep the produce going longer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3eOPEy23tNF9EShPerg9jkDDl9eUJqxvZF9xZllFuJ0y9C_yfT-vW-g7mj5Xw9nItZ3vL4gTB_ucM7CnDKwtrnbafmOkDSqqKRDAF_vOMGdiRmg2gfMIuz6w4q9izcnhvYBn4/s1600-h/gardenprep.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3eOPEy23tNF9EShPerg9jkDDl9eUJqxvZF9xZllFuJ0y9C_yfT-vW-g7mj5Xw9nItZ3vL4gTB_ucM7CnDKwtrnbafmOkDSqqKRDAF_vOMGdiRmg2gfMIuz6w4q9izcnhvYBn4/s400/gardenprep.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444178791478779714" border="0" /></a>I have yet to make the back bed into the two 4' by 4' squares. I am hoping to get to that this coming weekend :)<br /><br />March begins a very vibrant time of year in the Virginia garden. We can already see hyacinths, daffodils, crocuses and irises popping up- and in a few weeks they will be blooming. Right now, the maple trees are the main thing blooming. You can see a haze of red buds surrounding the limbs of the trees- and one might be able to imagine them to be like cherry blossom. They aren't of course, but in a way they are just as beautiful. For when you see them, you know spring is not too far behind!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmTciOJpsY8aFDiwHcwmEOfVXAAf8jvmpFAx71HDUPxygBW5yrejaKUfcrG9O715v4xx_lnAQmrrTKW4EmgVhtDmcIVARzIJs8rIDlj3t9bgqmzrwaGzgDQyZbKW7uefEfcqz/s1600-h/flowertree.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmTciOJpsY8aFDiwHcwmEOfVXAAf8jvmpFAx71HDUPxygBW5yrejaKUfcrG9O715v4xx_lnAQmrrTKW4EmgVhtDmcIVARzIJs8rIDlj3t9bgqmzrwaGzgDQyZbKW7uefEfcqz/s400/flowertree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444178797230750162" border="0" /></a>The birds are beginning to pair up, and birdsong has been very familiar in the garden the last few days. In fact, I heard one particular bird that sounded a whole lot like my daughter- screaming! I have yet to see whether it is a natural call of a jay or something, or a mockingbird, mocking a certain someone who screams a little too often...Spinnerettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18335780710513434157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21222437.post-52100761812637285032010-02-22T12:22:00.003-05:002010-02-22T12:25:54.381-05:00Paper Bark BirchYesterday the weather finally warmed up- it was the warmest day we'd seen since January 28th- which was warmer :o None the less, it FELT warm after days of temperatures in the 40's and lower!<br />So we all went outside to wash the car (all that salt and snow dirt) and I had <i>hoped</i> to do some gardening, but parts of the garden beds I wanted to clear were still covered in snow.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFqKIQ_jM2nEVB05VaGDLuwsx0-tbvJZ_OkwIqPIDTb5EiXGlVY_ntGP4QsMaITRnCg8I8TJPVJXbLBtBz9lx7AhQRxmCqzA-1P3BQjLFZ8ScevT78stKR-6ZhJrct-qrK9Ce/s1600-h/febwintergarden.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFqKIQ_jM2nEVB05VaGDLuwsx0-tbvJZ_OkwIqPIDTb5EiXGlVY_ntGP4QsMaITRnCg8I8TJPVJXbLBtBz9lx7AhQRxmCqzA-1P3BQjLFZ8ScevT78stKR-6ZhJrct-qrK9Ce/s400/febwintergarden.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441119687410142178" border="0" /></a><br />Instead I settled in the front garden and drew a picture of our paperbark birch. A friendly mockingbird stopped by for a short visit and I draw him in ;)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5-PV6znkd4uONRGPeeF6WSiXkzr-MHG3wP_pDmMTwg8jy87V8mltqis6On9ntrCU7Dw4F-PeCkwoWTTxTO98zHDjhoQa_itCb9_-4ibYaqdTX1x5DMbiWzCAKyHi5nBEKRxy/s1600-h/paperbarkbirch.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5-PV6znkd4uONRGPeeF6WSiXkzr-MHG3wP_pDmMTwg8jy87V8mltqis6On9ntrCU7Dw4F-PeCkwoWTTxTO98zHDjhoQa_itCb9_-4ibYaqdTX1x5DMbiWzCAKyHi5nBEKRxy/s400/paperbarkbirch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441120110036323730" border="0" /></a>The bark on this tree peels off, and was once popular with European Hornets, although we have not seen them for the last couple of years. I think I blogged about them before :)Spinnerettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18335780710513434157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21222437.post-90781274025956205322010-02-18T09:43:00.002-05:002010-02-18T09:45:01.082-05:00Red Winged Blackbird<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rproffitt/4368056948/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4368056948_f64f002043_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.9em;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rproffitt/4368056948/">Red Winged Blackbird</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/rproffitt/">Spinneretta</a></span></div>I had to get some more photos of birds recently- so many of my others were not quite good enough- the bird was not in a good position or there was snow in the way... so yesterday, when this fellow appeared, I grabbed my camera and got a few good shots.<br />He has not got his summer plumage yet- his 'epaulette' is still kind of yellowy, with just a flash of red at the top.<br />Since it was warmer, he is not as puffed up as my other birds, and his glossy plumage was certainly challenging to capture :)<br />A mockingbird and some starlings accompanied him on the feeder- although I like the mockingbird, I was not too thrilled with the others (or the squirrel that seems to think I have provided him with a free lunch).<br />I am definitely looking forward to some spring!!Spinnerettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18335780710513434157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21222437.post-23236136971960215792010-02-12T15:51:00.002-05:002010-02-12T15:52:56.078-05:00Pine Warbler<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rproffitt/4352185728/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2803/4352185728_b076c92bdc_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.9em;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rproffitt/4352185728/">Anniversary Pine Warbler</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/rproffitt/">Spinneretta</a></span></div>This is not a certain identification of the bird by any means- but this bird and the previous one are new visitors to our feeder. This one actually comes every winter, and was initially mistaken for a goldfinch because of it's bright yellow colouration.<br />we eventually figured out that it was not a goldfinch changing it's feathers, but something else- and it was at the suggestion of someone else that I think it is a warbler. I keep mis-calling it a 'siskin' but checking it in my book it most definitely is NOT!Spinnerettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18335780710513434157noreply@blogger.com0