GreenHouse in progress

 We have framed in our dual pane windows and are starting to assemble to walls to the greenhouse. It will be approx 10x14 when finished. I can hardly wait as I have lots and lots of cuttings that I have been taking all summer and they are ready for a new home. I've run out of room! We are hoping to be finished by Thanksgiving.
So far I have taken cutting of Vitex, several types of penstemon, snail vine, rosemary, California Sycamore, rose of sharon, mexican sage, butterfly bush  and tons of succulents.
I am so excited!

Pineapple sage

Love this herb...I have sun tea brewing outside and have added a big handful of pineapple sage leaves.

Should be great!

 I also have a lemon pound cake recipe to try using this herb too...I'll post the results.

With the lush growth and beautiful flowers you'll find this herb to work beautifully in the flower bed as well as the garden. Humming birds are crazy about it!

June Garden Update

After a cool spring my garden is now up and growing strong!

Gotta love this lasagne style gardening!! With the bed heavily mulched with straw I have no weeds to pull and am able to keep the watering to a minimum. Perfect!

I have already given away bunches of basil and now the zucchini is coming on strong...We will have our first harvest tonite!
I only planted one bed this year but will have at least 4 next year...I see no reason to fight the heavy clay soil am thrilled with my raised beds.

   

                                        

Lasagne Garden

I feel that I am getting a late start on my veggie gardening so I decided to do a small raised bed 'Lasagne Garden'. I like the idea of no digging or removing the weeds first!
 Also no need to worry about dealing with the clay soil.

I laid down cardboard then proceeded with layers of bagged manure, uncomposted veggies and garden clippings, straw and then topped with bagged planting mix.  After planting I mulched it with another thin layer of straw to try and keep the moisure in. Once summer hits I am hoping it will help cut down on the watering.

This is definetly the store-bought method of lasagne gadening but its the best I could do for this year.
I have planted tomatoes, squash, cukes, peppers and several kinds of herbs.
My bed is about 4' wide and 12" deep. It has only been in a couple of days and I have already harvested most of my basil!

Humble Beginnings

While I am not a big fan of mail order plants I did find some interesting ideas and hard-to-find plants at High Country Gardens. They specialize in water-thrifty plants and have a beautiful catalog and website. If nothing else it is a great source for ideas and inspiration.
I saw the beautiful Sunrise Desert Agastache in their catalog and promptly ordered three!
They arrived in good condition but I was a little set back at the $$ for three small plants.
So, we'll see how they turn out....

 

Using leftover and recycled building materials to build a greenhouse | GardenWise

Using leftover and recycled building materials to build a greenhouse GardenWise

Redbud in full bloom...Its a beautiful thing

Redbuds are perfect for the central valley as they require very little water and seem to thrive in all types of soil.
We have quite a few of them in the front of the property...Very beautiful!

The joys of early spring---Checking out the polywogs

The day before Easter brought weather that was a little chilly but luckily no rain.

The dogs and Grandkids had a great time gathering polywogs out of the pond.

They were just 'sprouting' their legs so the kids were delighted to see them in transformation!

STARTING FRESH

Having just moved I am experiencing the challenges of gardening in new soil...the dreaded clay!!

I only moved a distance of about 8 miles but I had sandy loam before and my main concern was keeping the moisture in. Now it appears I really have my work cut out for me.

Its time to start my vegetable garden and my grandchildren have started their sunflower seeds so I better figure this out quick.

On a good note my many container plants don't notice the difference and they seem happy with the new 'digs'.

My central Califoria location offers plenty of sunshine and moderate temperatures but also enough frost to damage the tender plants and enough searing heat to bake the young and tender. I strive to plant things that require low water and look for native plants when possible.

I like the idea of creating a Mediterranean type garden...Lets see how it works!