Winterizing the Garden

Since temperatures have become decidedly cooler, and the rain has returned for the duration, it's time to prep the beds for winter. I pruned the fuchsia and removed the larger call lily from the main plot. Also, I processed decomposing leaves through the chipper/shredder and produced a lightweight, fine compost that I distributing across the plot. What I really need to find now is burlap so that topsoil doesn't blow/wash away over the next few months.

As for the second plot...I have broccoli and spinach growing. I've transplanted the spinach evenly across the space to maximize the yield. It should be ready to pick within a few more weeks, depending on the weather.

Autumn is Upon Us

As I write this I think back to how great this year has been for Seattle gardeners. The weather has been consistently warm/hot since early July (although, we could have used some more precipitation). The rats have all but disappeared, or been consumed by a ferret in the garden. And, my crops have produced record amounts of veggies, particularly the corn.

On another note, I have planted a fall crop of spinach and broccoli and hope to harvest both before the next hard frost (most likely in late November or early December). I've also planted a bunch of new perenials including: tulips (shown below), foxtail lily, hyacinth, scilla, and camassi. I've removed the summer lily and alstroemeria, and plan to dig up the larger calla lily.

Late Summer Blooms

So, we've made it to September and the excellent (aka warm and sunny) weather continues. A newscaster mentioned that we have had 45+ days without any form of precipitation so those warm-weather plants are thriving. I've just recently begun harvesting my second variety of corn and am pleased to discover full, edible kernels for all my efforts.

Furthermore, my collection of free cyclamen hederifolium corms (which died back completely last year) have sent up several square feet of flowers (see below). The makeshift remay sun barrier I erected certainly seems to help keep early day sun from blasting the area in question. At the very least, the barrier diffuses the full force of sunlight, and let's the plants thrive.

As for my other potted cyclamen...my purpurascens is in full bloom. A couple of the other pots are hinting at recent signs of growth. I need to relabel all of the pots as everything was transplanted after the last disastrous windstorm knocked everything over (i.e., piles of shattered clay pots, soil, and corms).

Wouldn't You Like to be a Pepper Too?

The bell peppers are coming along nicely, and I have begun harvesting the first variety of corn ('Golden Jubilee'). The second variety is just recently begining to form ears, and continues to grow taller.

Summer Flowers

I thought my Dicentra 'Burning Hearts' had bloomed and finished a couple of months ago. Fortunately, both plants are making an impressive resurgence. Also, the summer lilies are looking particularly spectacular (and smell even better).

...As High as an Elephant's Eye

Summer is Here

Temperatures this July (after three years) are finally back to realistic levels. Seattle has been consistently in the 70s and on occasion the 80's as well. Also, the rain has limited its appearance to every other week rather than every other day. As you can see above, my corn is finally hitting its stride and has yet to blow over from the infrequent windy days. Last year my corn blew over because the stalks were too tall and thin (lack of sunlight).

In other news, I've been picking and shelling peas like crazy, and eating the rest. My freezer now has a several-month supply of shelled peas. The cippolino onions were a bust. They got too much water the last couple of months and rotted. I managed to harvest a few that look edible. I'm going to plant some different onions later today that I picked up at Swanson's Nursery. The weather is warm enough by now they should fair better.