Growy Things

Balsam with Admiral 

The only good thing about summer is getting to play in the dirt.  And enjoying what comes of said dirt-playing.

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.

Harvest

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.

Butterfly Weed

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!