For the last several weeks, the temperatures have been in the 80's and everything seems to be flowering and lamentably, producing pollen as well. My allergies have been going crazy, but the display of foliage almost makes it bearable, and the fair weather has been great for the garden and all the plants were trying to get going. More photos of that stuff to follow later...
A fig tree in the yard just beginning to produce leaves and small fruit.
This flowering pear tree has leaves that change from a light rose color to a deeper burnt red color over the course of about a month.
Apple blossoms have finally come to these two trees in the yard. They are about the last of the flowering trees to get their color...just in time for a week long cold snap.
The front driveway is accented by this Thym bush which has just began to flower. The bush is pleasantly aromatic and just outside the kitchen window, which is convenient for spaghetti sauces, which we seem to make at least 5 time a week these days. We also have bay trees in the yard, and various other spices scattered about, adding a nice aromatic and practical touch to the landscape.
We've also planted some strawberry plants that are starting to flower as well. Some of them are doing well, but unfortunately, others seem to be foundering a bit, probably due to a poor location choice on my part...we'll probably move them in the next couple of weeks so they produce better. We also have a couple raspberry and blueberry bushes that seem to be doing ok, and wild blackberries grow everywhere and we can't wait to have fruit in the fall.
We've also been working on a vegetable garden, which has been fun. I've been noodling around with learning about germination times and such, so have a random assortment of plants...perhaps far more than is necessary. At the time of this photo, I had around 30 tomato plants, which seem to grow easily here, with almost no effort. On the contrary, pepper plants have been challenging to get going, although they are finally starting to take off. Just for giggles, I even planted a couple of random potatoes from the grocery store that had started growing...now they are going nuts and have outgrown the small greenhouse I built. If things work out, we'll have an endless supply of weeding and vegetables this summer. :)
Tomatoes, Basil, Parsley
Potatoes, Pumpkin and Cilantro
Bell Peppers, Cayenne, Watermelon, and lots of other peppers on their way, thanks to Mom and Monique! I can't wait to sandbag all the Frenchies that have made me eat wet cat food disguised as a "delicacy" called Foie Gras, or just about anything ending in ....Canard.
Fortunately, I've been able to avoid having to eat one of these things thus far, but they seem to be everywhere. For a while, they were raiding my plants in the greenhouse, and had killed over half of everything I started, but I've now learned how to fight back...Fill a platter up with Beer and they drown themselves... They must be football fans. :)
It has rained a fair amount the last couple of days, so this one somehow snuck in the house and was climbing up the wall. I think it wanted to see what time it was, but Steph managed to relocate him to the nearest Beer cart before the cats got a hold of him.
Other than that, life has been cruising along as normal... more pics of home improvements, climbing and other stuff to follow shortly.
Will try to keep rambles to a minimum.
You're wasting all those yummy snails! Quel dommage! When I come visit I'm going to rescue all of those poor flacid souls from your beer trap and make escargot... And that garden, Cam, you will be able to feed your entire little town. :)
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