Summer in Snohomish

The Lesson

I'll be honest. My garden leaves a lot to be desired. Most edibles are... small. I mentioned in my email that I learned a lot this spring. Well, what I learned is that I need to brave the perpetually wet and bone-chillingly cold days in order to have any semblance of a harvest. Not to worry, I'll be ready for next year!

It's almost August and my zucchini are just starting to form, a couple cukes and a couple tomatoes (Early Girl and Cherry) have been eaten. My son spotted a deer noshing on blueberries the other day. They are well established so there are PLENTY to go around and I'm happy to share with the wildlife. Except please try not to eat the tomato plants. The growing season is so short already.

But the good thing about summer in western Washington is that everything keeps growing all summer long without too much intervention. There's still hope for my tiny garden.

Festival of Flowers

Impressive double bloom petunia in front of last year's celery that went to seed.

And now for the flower show! This year I went all in on petunias for my hanging baskets. They dependably flower all summer long, I get to deadhead the spent blooms, and they come in so many sizes and colors. I needed a win!

I hadn't even heard of Gazania but I'm glad I picked it up at the local nursery. In a way it reminds me of a giant African Daisy which is right next to it on the patio.

A while back my cousin and I took a trip to the local nursery - it's VERY convenient. I could walk there if I didn't want to bring anything home. Anyway, she had in mind to fill two or three pots. For some reason (Costco) I had a dozen or so pots to fill. She does this every year from what I gathered and ascribes to the filler, spiller, thriller method and now I do, too!

The littlest but favorite hanging pot, just outside the greenhouse.

A short but hot heat spell nearly had its way with the Hydrangea blooms. They used to get more shade but we had to take out some trees that were too close to the house.

I moved a scorched mop head out of the frame as one does

Last year I spread a spring/summer/fall flower mix and a few have returned this year. Shasta daisies, Bachelor Buttons and this over achiever which is probably a Black-eyed Susan.

Until next month when we see if the Dahlias bloom and the cukes kick it into gear!