Today was Earth Day, and . . .

Early this morning I started off with my hands in the dirt. First I had my gloves on to pull up some volunteers (like mint, blue vervain, a couple weeds). Then off went the gloves to plant a couple bell peppers. One round of watering in the veggie garden and my new fruit tree and herb bed the length of the backyard, a scattering of other watering spots and into the house I went as it started to warm-up to about 90 degrees. These last few days of summer have been a bit much for the beginning of spring here in Sacramento.

A week ago, I planted a Suncrest peach that was dug up from the foothills and donated to me. This weather has not been a friend to the peach tree. It was just too soon for this type of punishment. Many of the leaves are turning bright yellow and all the leaves feel very limp when I touch them. Tomorrow, I plan on spraying compost tea on my new peach tree. Hopefully that will help with this stress. But really, I think the cool breeze that came in tonight is going to be the saving grace in this situation.

Happy Earth Day!!! Bless this earth and all those organisms living on/above and below the earth's surface. I am loving my insects that are gracing my gardens with their activity. May we all live sustainably and in harmony.

Okay Mother Nature! I've had enough WIND!

We have had too many days of wind. Thank goodness the worst of it is over.

I actually lost a few plants in pots that I overlooked during my watering regime.

Twenty-five to thirty-five mile an hour winds does not blend into my type of garden.

Poor Mme. Alfred Carriere, an 1879 old rose, who is a strong climber and tall rambler to 15’ and also in full bloom with large white blush pink flowers. Why? Her branches are spread all over the yard with blooms resting on the lawn. Tying up all of those very long branches will be a 3 hour job. I just purchased a couple trellis structures to help tie her up.

Wednesday, I planted a three year old Suncrest peach tree. I couldn't find one to buy during bare root time, so my friend Vicky enticed her friend to dig this tree out of his yard and donate it to me. The tree had not done well in its old home. In fact I found two small leaves with curly leaf. I soaked the root ball with a strong dose of compost tea and poured some over some of the leaves.

Thursday my new Suncrest peach looked okay. No leaves are hanging. The woodland perennials that I had to dig up so I could plant the peach don't look as perky.

So, Saturday will be the day I plant most of my vegetables. I have the rest of the tomatoes to plant, some of my peppers to plant, my eggplant and many more herbs. I still need to purchase a couple roma heirloom tomatoes. I need to see if my zucchini has sprouted in the greenhouse, because I would like to plant it soon.

Love this time of year. Just one problem. Sunday is supposed to be 94 degrees. Ugh!

"Gardening has compensations out of all proportions to its goals. It is creation in the pure sense."-Phillis McGinley (1805-1978)

Spring sunshine is back again!

Yea! We got a very good soaking yesterday and especially last night. It was coming down hard for hours and hours. A much needed soaking too. I haven't checked to see how much precipitation we did get during this last storm. All the plants that are planted in the ground are feeling very perky today.

Here is a picture of my O'Henry peach tree that I planted last month and also a Fantasia nectarine tree planted at the same time.

Here is a surprise I found this morning.
Pretty little iris isn't it? It was a nice gift from Mother Nature.

Well, this is all for today. I plan on posting more pictures tomorrow.
Sweet dreams of April flowers from April showers!

It's Raining!!!

Wow! This rain is perfect to settle in new plantings. I wish I had had time to get all of my new plants into the ground. But the dozen or more will be happy campers. This rain has been a gift from Mother Nature. It will just be tough not working on all outdoor projects for three to four days.

My Lilac is most beautiful this year and smells so heavenly! I can't walk by without getting a full whiff by putting my nose in a thick blossom.

Here are a few highlights of my gardens now -

Soon to be harvested: peas and romaine lettuce.

And this years Shichifukujin Tree Peony is just gorgeous!

This newcomer, Pacific Coast hybrid "Purple and White" Iris is pretty nice too!

Each flower is a soul opening out to nature. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Welcome Life . . . back to my garden

The weather has been marvelous!!! Great for really working in the garden. And work in the garden I have done most days of the last two weeks. It is sooooooooo grounding to work with the plants, soil, earthworms and of course mother nature.

This hens and chicken is feeling spunky with beautiful delicate flowers.


The most exiting thing that I realized today is that the insects are slowly coming back to my gardens. There were several butterflies on my Lilac (in full bloom) yesterday and today. The honey bees and native bees are also showing up again and buzzing around me as I work. It feels so good to share space with them in the garden again. LIFE is coming back to the garden!!!


So, what I now need to do is talk to my neighbors about eliminating the chemical spraying that went on several days a week for most of last summer. That is when all the insects disappeared from my property. It just felt to dead!


"Where flowers bloom so does hope". ~ Lady Bird Johnson