Photography

Just a few shots along the way…

My Bubble Gum Supternia

Eloine

Me with my petunias last year

The day before yesterday I posted a picture of one of my parents teacup poodles in this cute blue teacup planter. Well this photo should give you a little more of an idea of it’s size! A couple of years ago I ordered some petunias off of internet and I have been amazed at how well they have grown. It’s like a wall of these pretty pink flowers cascading all around so I just had to order some more. They are a variety of Proven Winners which seems to mean they grow in all kinds of conditions and very hardy plants. They have to be if they are going to survive my iron laden well water!

What you see here is a Supertunia Vista Bubblegum Petunia. I plan to plant them in all my hanging baskets and I will have pink bubble gum everywhere!

 

New toad abodes

Eloine

I saw these in the specialty isle at Winco foods and I couldn’t resist. Up until now I have been using old broken terracotta pots as little lures for toad houses. I read in a garden magazine  that  suggested them for shelter since they like to take refuge under some wet wood or some dark little cover were they can keep cool and protected while laying wait for an insect to crawl on by. Here in California it’s not uncommon to see a Western California toad (California Toad, B. boreas halophilus) out in the evening and night time hours. It’s fun to look down and see their comical faces. These little statues have an opening near the bottom that is just the right size for a toad to crawl into. They are great to have around in your garden eating beetles, ants and spiders.

Here is a photo I took last year when it went down a gopher hole in my lawn. As you can see they like it wet, dark and protected.

What is it about these trees?

Eloine

The phrase “the mighty oak” comes to mind and rightly so. I am not sure what there is about these oaks in Contra Costa County but it’s like they each have a personality of their own. Each one is unique with what seems like a long story to tell. If only we could speak their language we  would hear stories of the times before the white man and when the skies were black with flocks of birds. It’s a pitty to think of them living so long and yet in our life time they could be gone either from construction or sudden oak death syndrome. At lease we can enjoy them for now. My tribute to a couple below.

 

 

 

Weekly garden update (sort of)

Eloine

Ok so this weekly garden update is not so weekly! Oopsie! That’s because anyone who lives near the bay area of California right now knows that for the past couple of weeks it’s been raining and raining and raining! Remind me again…. this IS California isn’t it? I thought it didn’t rain here. Hey, not complaining though the hills are indeed INCREDIBLE this time of year!!!

and once the sun starts to shine the mustard is going to bolt upright to the heavens! This red winged black appears to be waiting for it.

So here are a few updates:

  • My potato plants seem to be doing well as you can see from above. Both store bought and organic from the garden store. We’ll see when I harvest if I only get pretty plants or if I actually get fresh buttery potatoes!
  • Started building a “jungle gym” for the parrot in my veggie garden. It’s already covered with bird netting for protection and a metal frame to hang stuff on. Amazing that should bring a destructive bird back IN to the garden! As you can see Max is enjoying himself up there.
  • Did the usual jaunt to the hardware store to pick up some supplies and as always came back with more plants. This time some sweet broom, boxwood basil and a couple of red tip photinia