Before & After - Alliums

These decorative alliums (onions) are new to my garden this year, planted as bulbs last fall. They didn't get as tall as I expected, but perhaps next year. We'll see.

Alliums in various stages of bloom

After the purple flowers fade, these green orbs appear.

The green-headed orbs are beginning to lean as the stalks yellow. I cut one and it's doing well in a vase with other cut flowers. I'm wondering if with enough time the green orbs will develop into bulbs that can be planted. That would be rad given how pricey the large decorative alliums can be.

Tasks - 6/08/09

Today:

* Went to Garden Fever for squash starts.
* Cut back driveway overgrowth
* Began trimming and tidying the herb bed -- the cats enjoyed the fresh cut catnip especially.
* Cut flowers for vases inside -- not sure I've listed this "task" before, but I've been doing it weekly. One of the things I love about having a garden is having fresh arrangements in the house.

To Victory!

Earlier I mentioned the snap peas were coming in. Oh boy howdy. I'll be eating sides for free for a couple weeks at least. Wonder how well they freeze?

And EJD says you can eat the greens too!

Tasks - 6/3/09

Today:

* In the snap pea bed, planted two annuals to fill in blank spots: Cosmos Sensation Purity, Brachyscome Toucan Tango. Also trimmed some of the plants that are crowding each other.

* Noticed the snap peas are fruited and some ready to eat -- which I did! yum! -- so will keep close eye on them next couple of weeks. Fresh sugar snaps, right off the vine!

Tasks - 5/29-31/09

This weekend:

* Planted third tomato -- San Marzano -- in small bed in the front yard intended for melons (that never sprouted) and sprinkled surrounding soil with marigold seeds.

* Planted "curlique" seeds in the empty spot in the crocosmia bed, and protected from cats with skewers and an old window screen.

* Planted pineapple sage in bed between kiwi vine and culinary sage.

* Planted two coneflowers Double Decker in the back beds near the cafe ole roses.

* Weeded the snap pea bed, and planted an annual Blue Star Creeper. Noticed that some of the older plants are too close together, and noted this on my Fall to-do list. The goldenrod has powder mildew, likely from constricted air flow.

* Cut back some of the driveway overgrowth.

* Filled a yard debris bag with stuff I hacked out of the South side yard jungle.

Timing

Wow! It's June already! How did that happen?

March was so dreary I wasn't able to do much in the garden so April and early May saw me rushing like mad until social plans encroached on my time. Now this blast of sustained and unusual hot weather is making it impossible to plant anything I missed in April. Just gotta skip straight to summer stuff.

Oh well.

I love the work, but it's supposed to be about enjoying the space too. And the last couple of weeks have been very enjoyable in the garden: Gin & Tonic parties, BBQ's, and my little brother's visit.