So at some point it became October. I know it comes around eventually, yearly as a matter of fact, but did not realize it would be this soon.
I have harvested the garden--about 2 weeks or so ago, and the only thing out there still are two pumpkins. We have had some really cold nights--i.e. the 20s, so I got out there after it got that cold the first time and picked everything. I was still worried about the tomatoes, but they have ripened nicely, so I have been enjoying those and have other stuff put away in the freezer. It was a nice little garden for my first real attempt, and I am excited about next year.
The leaves this year have reflected the cool temps in fabulous ways. In my 5 years here, this is the best variation of color that I have seen so far. It is starting to fade a bit, and the oranges and reds and browns (a lot of browns) are starting to take over. The tops of the mountains around us are a different color all together---WHITE. I know it is a sign of things to come here, but I hope it is not too soon.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
End of August?
How can it be that this is already the end of August? I thought that the summers use to go by fast when I was having to go back to school, but this one has been even faster I think.
With August comes cooler weather--This has me a little nervous. My garden is doing pretty well. I have been getting beans, peas, and squash. Still to come are the tomatoes--I literally have like 100 tomatoes, but they are all green, green, green. I also have peppers that should be ready to pick soon. And there are some plants that I am pretty sure are pumpkins that are really starting to put fruit on. It has been fun. I have actually given most of it away, because it is hard to fix all that up for just one person. But I am looking forward to next year's garden!
Not sure if it is the cooler weather or "drought stress," but the brush in the area is turning. The sunflowers are dropping their petals, the jays are back...yeah, pretty sure fall is on the way.
School has started and so things have really started to slow down--not that it was really ever that busy this summer anyway. The seasonals have been leaving too--school, jobs, etc. It is that time...
Not a whole lot else going on up here in the world on top of the world. Not at all.
With August comes cooler weather--This has me a little nervous. My garden is doing pretty well. I have been getting beans, peas, and squash. Still to come are the tomatoes--I literally have like 100 tomatoes, but they are all green, green, green. I also have peppers that should be ready to pick soon. And there are some plants that I am pretty sure are pumpkins that are really starting to put fruit on. It has been fun. I have actually given most of it away, because it is hard to fix all that up for just one person. But I am looking forward to next year's garden!
Not sure if it is the cooler weather or "drought stress," but the brush in the area is turning. The sunflowers are dropping their petals, the jays are back...yeah, pretty sure fall is on the way.
School has started and so things have really started to slow down--not that it was really ever that busy this summer anyway. The seasonals have been leaving too--school, jobs, etc. It is that time...
Not a whole lot else going on up here in the world on top of the world. Not at all.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Garden
So (knock on the proverbial wood), the vegetable garden is doing much better than the herb garden did. I have Squash!!! Very excited about this. Also the beans, peas, and tomatoes are blooming. There is hope...for fresh veggies after all!
The only thing that survived in the herb garden is Cilantro--ie 1 out of 11 plants from seed. But it has good days and bad days. Even the lemon grass, which I have had for a few years now and a basil which I was given, seem to be putting up a decreasing fight. Ironically, two cilantro (?) plants have decided to make their way to the veggie garden (still not sure how that happened) and are doing quite well. Well, except for the fact they are growing under the squash plant...
Not a very promising outlook for rain. We are now at a "very high" fire danger. I counted 10 fires around us this afternoon. As the plants around the park are drying and wilting, I look at my garden, which though I do not water it every day, is still green and fairly healthy. It is incredible that so many people were able to farm in this environment for such a long period of time (without the ease of faucets and hoses especially).
The only thing that survived in the herb garden is Cilantro--ie 1 out of 11 plants from seed. But it has good days and bad days. Even the lemon grass, which I have had for a few years now and a basil which I was given, seem to be putting up a decreasing fight. Ironically, two cilantro (?) plants have decided to make their way to the veggie garden (still not sure how that happened) and are doing quite well. Well, except for the fact they are growing under the squash plant...
Not a very promising outlook for rain. We are now at a "very high" fire danger. I counted 10 fires around us this afternoon. As the plants around the park are drying and wilting, I look at my garden, which though I do not water it every day, is still green and fairly healthy. It is incredible that so many people were able to farm in this environment for such a long period of time (without the ease of faucets and hoses especially).
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Plants
The trip home was good. Left after work on Sunday and got back late Wednesday night. We wen to Bishop's Castle, which is near Rye--it was interesting. A multi-story structure of rock, concrete, and iron built by just one man.
When I got back it was interesting to see the change in vegetation--my garden seems to be doing pretty good! I have little-bitty (about the size of a quarter) patty-pan (the scalloped ones) squash, the beans are blooming, the tomatoes are blooming and the peppers look like they are just about ready. And a great crop of weeds.
The park was a different story. It is amazing how much things can change in just 3 days time. The vegetation looks dry, the wildflowers not as vibrant, and the bright yellow "HIGH" fire danger sign at the entrance was discouraging. As I came to work this morning, I noticed the smoke in the atmosphere, basically all around us. As it has been fairly "quiet," I can't help but wonder if this is going to be the year of "another big one"?
When I got back it was interesting to see the change in vegetation--my garden seems to be doing pretty good! I have little-bitty (about the size of a quarter) patty-pan (the scalloped ones) squash, the beans are blooming, the tomatoes are blooming and the peppers look like they are just about ready. And a great crop of weeds.
The park was a different story. It is amazing how much things can change in just 3 days time. The vegetation looks dry, the wildflowers not as vibrant, and the bright yellow "HIGH" fire danger sign at the entrance was discouraging. As I came to work this morning, I noticed the smoke in the atmosphere, basically all around us. As it has been fairly "quiet," I can't help but wonder if this is going to be the year of "another big one"?
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Weekend
So in honor of a couple of birthdays this month--as in within the next 2 and 3 days, I am going home for the weekend. I am pretty excited, it is the first time I have been home in a while-since Christmas.
The summer is already starting to wind down...I was shocked the other day when I saw school stuff out on display already. Kinda glad those days are over.
People are funny. The other day, I had someone call the information line. They said they thought they would get a recording. I said, no, I am here. They said something to the effect of do you have anything I can listen to with information. I said I could answer any questions they had. They again asked about listening to a recording. Apparently some people out there DO NOT want to "talk to a real person."
The summer is already starting to wind down...I was shocked the other day when I saw school stuff out on display already. Kinda glad those days are over.
People are funny. The other day, I had someone call the information line. They said they thought they would get a recording. I said, no, I am here. They said something to the effect of do you have anything I can listen to with information. I said I could answer any questions they had. They again asked about listening to a recording. Apparently some people out there DO NOT want to "talk to a real person."
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Wildflowers
The past few weeks have brought warmer weather up here and so we are getting wildflowers.
Currently there are primroses, lupine, balsam root, and a few paint brushes blooming. And of course dandelions.
The bushes are also starting to bloom--cliff rose and service berry are going right now.
Some rain a few days ago made everything shoot up. Right now everything is nice and green. The day temps are increasing and the nights are still cool. Currently we are at a moderate fire danger, so we will see how that changes in the next few weeks.
Inspired by nature, I tried to start an herb garden...which you will notice, I said tried. Some are doing well, some were doing well but are still hanging on, some I think are done for, and some didn't do anything. If this is a sign of how a veggie garden will grow, perhaps I would be better to just visit the farmer's markets...
Currently there are primroses, lupine, balsam root, and a few paint brushes blooming. And of course dandelions.
The bushes are also starting to bloom--cliff rose and service berry are going right now.
Some rain a few days ago made everything shoot up. Right now everything is nice and green. The day temps are increasing and the nights are still cool. Currently we are at a moderate fire danger, so we will see how that changes in the next few weeks.
Inspired by nature, I tried to start an herb garden...which you will notice, I said tried. Some are doing well, some were doing well but are still hanging on, some I think are done for, and some didn't do anything. If this is a sign of how a veggie garden will grow, perhaps I would be better to just visit the farmer's markets...
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