Inspiring trip to Rancho Reubidoux

It's autumn, which means time for major clean up at Casa Grande. The recent wind and rain has left the place pretty ragged. But the big Chinese elm in the backyard is going to be trimmed next week, so no point in doing any vacuuming of the pea stone yet.

In the meantime, EZ Go Marge, Bug Blog sister and I trekked to Rancho Reubidoux for their Garden Bazaar on Saturday. FUN! I loved the way the garden is laid out with a nice seating area defined by wooden decking level with the pea gravel. (I love pea gravel!)

This pitchfork was turned into a planter.

I purchased an old colander ($10!) with a nice grey/green patina and used the pitchfork idea to make a planter.

Thanks to the friendly owners of Ranch Reubidoux for an inspiring day. Can't wait for their next sale.

Harvest

So, the tomato plants have begun to bear ripened fruit. The ratty looking plant in the unglazed pot is producing nicely. I've tasted the first two to ripen and found them in need of peeling, but otherwise tasty. Not, however, measuring up to the memory of my father's tomatoes back in the day. Probably a symptom of the "sickness of nostalgia" described by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I remember dad saying "everything tastes better with salt." Sadly.

While they did not disappoint, they did not thrill. Here's hoping that as the plants mature, and the sun finally shines in July and August, and the habanero chilies fruit, and the birds don't eat them first, (do birds eat habaneros?) there will be gazpacho enough for a midsummer night's dream.

Sunny with a Chance of Tomatoes

So, like the rest of the gardeners in the US, I succumbed to the lure of home grown tomatoes this year. Since I have precious little sun in my yard, my only option is to grown them in pots in front of the garage door. These are two plants purchased at the Green Scene last month. The larger clay pot with the big plant is drying out every day. Looks pretty scraggly at the bottom. But there are tomatoes. Hooray. The smaller Roma plant in the glazed clay pot looks green and strong. Also has tomatoes. We shall see if the taste and satisfaction from growing them myself was worth the effort. The basil is yummy.

Golden Sunday Backyard Bluebirds

The cats and I were having a glass of wine in the backyard after I returned from work this evening, when a male bluebird alighted on a branch in the old fig tree above me. He was keeping a close watch on the Katz Brothers, and me as well. I didn't notice his partner until later. Could not tell if they are living nearby or protecting young 'uns in the bluebird box I bought at the Green Scene in '09. Had noticed them building a nest in the box a few weeks ago, but they were being harassed by what looked like a Wilson's Warbler, and I thought they had moved on. This is the only time I've seen them since. Maybe I have not been paying close enough attention.

After tricking the boys into climbing into my lap for a scratch and tail pull, I tossed them into the house, so the bluebirds would relax. Unfortunately a Mockingbird decided to intimidate them, and they moved away.


A swarm of gnats in front of the bluebird box looked like flecks of gold in the evening glow.

Here is some info on the Western Bluebird. Here is some more.

Green Scene Booty 2010 and redux

Green Scene is my favorite event of the entire year.
And each year the Green Scene seems to reflect the mood of the gardening public. I can remember years where the MUST HAVE plant was clematis. And roses, particularly the David Austins and Romanticas. Then the perennials took over. And cottage garden plants.

In the last few years the succulent/cactus growers have far outnumbered the rest of the offerings. There have been an increasing number of vendors with native plants also. A very good trend, and one nurtured by the offerings in the Potting Shed at the Arboretum all year round.
However...
I'm christening this year, the YEAR of the TOMATO. Tomatoes were everywhere. Every size, shape, and color. Heirlooms to beefsteaks. Get out the salt shakers!


So, in my previous post from today, you may note a few items from last year's stash. (See Green Scene Booty, April 2009) The bulbine I purchased last year is visible behind the nasturtiums. It's spread out nicely and produced some lovely flower stalks.

The scented geranium, also pictured in the What's Blooming on Earth Day post, is doing well in a pot just inside the driveway gate. The fuzzy plectrantus also survived.



The flat as a pancake aeonium has just about outgrown this pot. Time to transplant into a larger bowl shaped container. Maybe it will flower?


This succulent thingie I got last year, can't remember the name, loves the shade, but got mealy bug last summer. Gone now. Tripled in size. Might transplant it into the ground in a nice shady spot out back. I like the flat fern-like growth.













Here's this year's purchases, (minus the tomatoes and catnip we planted over at Biker Boy's house) parked in my very special second (or third) hand Radio Flyer, painted green. I love the way it goes thunkity thunk.



What is it about catmint? Can't resist it. Must be that perfect combination of lavender and greyish green. Got some catnip, too. The cats have already smashed it down. Why do cats need to lie on the stuff? There's some dill in there... goes good with salmon. And some nice yellow sedum. And a shade tolerant mimulus.

Must get them planted.

What's Blooming on Earth Day?

What's Blooming in April?

Madame Alfred Carriere, of course. This French beauty is the light of my life in April when its first bloom blows me away with it's gentle scent and delicate pink flowers. I can't bear to cut them. There must be over 200 roses on the 12 ft. tall climber right now. It reminds me so much of French Haute Couture. There is a skirt at Paula, (my favorite place for guilty shopping in Tustin), that is covered with flowers just like this. Wearing that skirt would make me think of the Madame all year round.

It's just impossible for me to get a photograph that shows the density of the roses on this... what do I call it?... It's practically a tree! I can see it through the picture window next to my computer desk as I work. Such a satisfying thing, to have this wonder of nature repeat this show for me each spring.

Hooray! The lilac bloomed again. This time the flowers are well formed. But there are still so few. I think the shade from the Euphorbia Cotinifolia is too dense. I would consider moving it, but it took five years to get a bloom! Pruning the Euphorbia in the winter might be a better option.

Bluebird Alert! I think I have a nesting pair. Hoping to get photos this weekend.

Don't forget the Green Scene at the Fullerton Arboretum this weekend. It's my most favorite and anticipated event of the year. Is that just too nerdy?

No Rain! Count Birds! Admire Garden! Pull Weeds!

It's a beautiful day in Fullerton. Not a cloud in the sky with the mercury in the most temperate of ranges. Here are a few photos of what's blooming and who is visiting...

Hardenbergia is outstanding this year. It's in it's fourth year, and with less competition from other vines and a heavy pruning of the elm, it has exploded into a wonderful purple haze.

After the rain, the birdbath below the hardenbergia filled with beautiful debris.















Candy Corn loves being potted. It had been in the ground in part shade for years and never bloomed like this.
















Don't forget the Great Backyard Bird Count this weekend. You can sign up by clicking the link.
It's easy, and you can count yourself as a citizen scientist.

I love how the birdies wait their turn.