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Balsam with Admiral |
The only good thing about summer is getting to play in the dirt. And enjoying what comes of said dirt-playing.
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Battle! |
This year it has rained often enough that things are growing as in GROWING! One of the gardens I tend is maybe 10' x 24'. Not a bad size. There are lots of things I can't put in there because the deer who wander through the yard snack as they go. I can do cucumber, squash, peppers and sometimes tomatoes. Yes, if it's too dry the deer start nipping the tomato leaves for moisture but, as I said, this year it's raining. Still don't have any tomatoes to speak of, or not there anyway. You see, the cucumbers and squash are having a battle. They're planted at opposite ends of the garden but they're all growing out of control and have taken over the center. I have celery planted for the first time and had to search for it today.
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Harvest |
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Celery |
The homeowners always encourage me to take as much produce as I want. (No, I didn't tell them that I always eat the first of everything I grow for them.) This year there's more than enough for all of us.
The butterfly weed I started last year for the Monarch butterflies is doing well. It's bloomed and some is now going to seed. I'm letting it because I would like to help them and the woman that lives there loves butterflies so she's happy with anything that attracts them. I'm planning on snagging some other butterfly-friendly plants and doing some rearranging. Good thing too as this morning there was a Monarch fluttering around as I work. I love to add flowers without telling them! It's so much fun when they eventually notice the new things I've planted.
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Butterfly Weed |
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New Red Flowers |
I put in hollyhocks this year. My great aunt used to have them in her yard and I decided I needed some. My yard, of course is full so in they went at the new garden I tend. They'll be blooming soon. Yep, I'll post a picture as soon as they do.
That's it for now. Go out and get your hands dirty!