Carol
Trellis Header Up and Rafters In Progress
Trellis construction has been slow, but steady. With every additional element the structure looks better and better. The header boards are completed and the posts have been cut to length, and the structure balances well with the size and scale of the retaining wall below.
Construction of the Retaining Wall Trellis Begins
Ron has over half of the trellis posts constructed and the effect of the structure on the overall courtyard design is starting to emerge. The posts will ultimately be shortened by a couple of feet so they are a bit tall right now, but I like the thickness (5″ X 5″) we chose. I think the scale and balance of the structure to the courtyard area and the retaining wall are definitely going to work. Ron says he feels like he is building the Parthenon. Ha.
Greens in the Greenhouse
The produce and herbs in the greenhouse are doing pretty well. It is such a pleasure to cut fresh lettuce, chard, spinach, and herbs in the middle of winter. The surprising thing is how little space it takes to grow enough to eat for several months.
Retaining Wall and Grotto Area
We spent all weekend working on the retaining wall and the grotto area in the southwest corner of the courtyard. Progress was good despite 20-30 mph winds both days (I hate wind). At this point you can really see how the newly created areas lay out and create the transition from the courtyard area to the raised be gardens below.
Retaining Wall Project Continues
I hope your holidays have been as restful and pleasant as ours have been. To be honest, I am not exactly looking forward to returning to work next week, but the weather is predicted to become cold and rainy on Monday and Tuesday so perhaps it won’t be as difficult a transition as it might be. Today it is lovely here. Not too windy, and quite warm.
Courtyard Project – Phase Two: Retaining Wall
We have been pondering and planning the materials and design for the south side of the courtyard for a year now. I can’t tell you how many different ideas we have tested out for the treatment of this space. It is the transition between the courtyard and the lower vegetable garden area. There is about a four foot drop in the elevation between the two areas, and it occurs at the south end of the courtyard area.
Greenhouse Produce Growing
We have a nice winter vegetable crop started in the greenhouse this year. We have half a dozen cucumbers, over twenty tomatoes, raspberries, lettuce, and some peppers. All of the plants are hooked up to a drip irrigation system. We are using liquid organic fertilizer applied in-line through the irrigation system which seems to be working really well. The plants are all very healthy and vigorous, with thick stalks and broad leaves. I will be planting spinach, chard, more lettuce, and some herbs over the holidays, which I can move out to the gardens later if we want to.
Summer and Winter in the Same Day
It’s hard to believe that I was working in the courtyard gardens at lunchtime yesterday, it was near 80 degrees and I was sweating, and by the time I went to bed last night it was snowing. When I got up this morning, it was right at freezing, and there was still snow laying around everywhere. The temperature actually dipped for a while around 8 am, and the snow stuck around all morning in most places. I took a few photos just before I went to work this morning.
Christmas 2008 Decorations
I spent several days over the Thanksgiving break putting up the interior holiday decorations. They are always similar from year to year, but I think the photography has improved over time. I think I will need a better flash assembly before I can make much more improvement though. Anyway, here is what I have going [...]
Fall Colors Abound
Our valley is more colorful this year than I can ever remember it. I don’t know what determines the level of color in our native trees, but we have had very little rain here since last May, very hot summer temperatures, and a very mild fall so far. The red oaks seem to get more [...]
Copper Canyon Daisies and Giant Swallowtail
The Copper Canyon daisies in the front courtyard are blooming profusely now. I planted them last spring and was surprised when they started blooming about a month after I planted them. I thought they only bloomed in the fall, but perhaps I was mistaken. There are only three plants, but they have gotten quite large [...]
Butterflies, Caterpillars, and Moonflower Seeds
The gardens are alive with butterflies, bees, birds, and caterpillars. Yellow and white skippers are abundant, and swallowtails, monarchs, painted ladies, and fritillaries are frequent visitors as well. The front courtyard, which is visible from most rooms in the house, provides a picture window view to all of the activity.
Monarch Migration
November is the month that the Monarch butterflies migrate to Mexico, and I have been anticipating their arrival this year since we have more flowers this year than in past years. I saw my first Monarch of the year several days ago. Yesterday there were quite a few of them here feeding on our marigolds and mealy sage. I got several nice photos of them with their wings closed, but wasn’t able to capture one with their wings spread. They are very skittish. With some luck I will have more opportunities to get the full dorsal shots I am after.
Finally, Fall
Fall gardening is in full swing here, despite the warm afternoon temperatures. We have had a couple of mornings in the 40s this past week, which feels pretty brisk first thing in the morning, but by 9 am it is already getting warm.
I was out harvesting jalapenos and tomatoes for salsa-making this afternoon when I [...]
New Blooms and Veggies
I bought this The President Clematis from the Natural Gardener in the spring of this year, and it was green and covered with large purple blooms. I planted it in an eastern exposure where it gets full morning sun, and the top part of the plant gets midday and afternoon sun as well. There are garden sage plants at the foot of the plant to help shade the roots also. Several weeks after I planted it, the weather turned very hot and dry and all of the blooms fell off and the foliage started to turn a bit brown. No new growth was evident at all, until last week. There are now several new branches putting out leaves and setting flower buds. I am so pleased. I put this plant at the front entrance to the house hoping that it would be worthy of being showcased.
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