Garden Friday

 

 

 

Welcome to the first Garden Friday of summer!

The garden is bursting with color

and the anticipation of tasty goodies!

 

 

There is lettuce ready for the picking

growing in the raised bed with carrots and nasturtiums.

Several varieties of lettuce include buttercrunch, green oakleaf, and rouge.

The nasturtiums are dispersed throughout every bed

as a pest deterrent,

but did you know that both the leaves and flowers are edible?

 

More lettuce shares space in another bed with beets, green beans

and room to reseed two types of peppers.

 

The leek are going to seed and it will be the first time

I will save seed for next year for this crop.

The seed head is absolutely gorgeous.

 

We have a volunteer squash growing in the chicken run.

It looks like it might be a butternut variety,

although they were not planted there last year.

Chalk it up to the bird or squirrel relocation squad.

 

One of the purposely planted squash

is starting to outgrow the bed.

I'm trying to figure out what type of trellis I want to use here.

I will be diligent in checking for squash bugs and eggs.

 

The sweet potatoes surely seemed to appreciate 

the bit of rain we got this week.

They love the combination of rainfall and the heat of summer.

 

What a thrill to be able to pick the first blueberries!

I wasn't even sure the plants would ripen this year.

My soil test showed that the soil is not acidic enough,

which is their preferred condition.

The berries were juicy and sweet,

with just a hint of tartness. 

We have several varieties planted,

which we acquired from our local Extension office.

blanket flower

The flowers are also enjoying the warmer temperatures

and modest rainfall.

 

These balloon flowers are doing so much better this year.

I'd say they have gained at least 6 inches on last year's plants.

These beauties come back every spring.

 

The moonflowers are starting their climb on the front porch posts.

These fragrant white blooms open at night,

which is perfect for us front porch sitters.

The pollinator bed near the old garden site has filled in nicely.

Residing here, we have blanket flower, daisies, nasturtiums, pinks, rudebekia

and one very happy gnome.

 It looks like we're in a good position to receive more rain this week.

No complaints from me,

as the garden responds to it like nothing else.

Enjoy some time outside this weekend

and see what Mother Nature has to offer.