This is the Mahonia in the park.  In the sunshine:  the berries are dark blue and the stems that hold the berries are red.  It is truly striking.  I love seeing it when we walk in the park.  Spring, summer, fall, and winter.  But especially in summer with these great blue berries.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

We might have to open a stand on the corner, because when the blueberries start getting blue, we are going to be inundated.  We only planted eight bushes back in 2010, but they have really grown.  And this year they are loaded with berries.

 

I love it!!!

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

Just look at the pears.  They are doing really great now too.  

 

I guess everybody in the orchard loved all the rain in April and May.  I know, I did!!!

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Yep.  There are apples on the trees.  Right now they are about the size of golf balls.  And there are about 10,000 of them on our three trees.  Well, maybe not that many, but there are a lot.  And they are really pretty.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

My garden is blooming and beautiful.  It is all planted and it is thriving, thanks to all the rain lately.

 

Not everybody loves the rain, I know.  But I do!!!  It is the best time for planting.  Yesterday I put in the cucumber plants, and planted beans, in the rain!!   It makes me happy!!!

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

See the long neck goose looking flower spikes coming out of the garlic?  Those are the scapes.  I love them so much, and wouldn't mind leaving them there, but they are the flower heads, and they draw energy from the plant.  When we grow garlic, we don't want flowers;  we want root bulbs:  garlic.  So I have to cut off the scapes, to redirect the plant's energy to the roots.  It's ok, though, the scapes are edible.  We just cook them like asparagus, and they are delicious.

 

OK, just another month to go before garlic harvest.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

I know I show you Borage every year, but this is MY world, and I love seeing it in bloom.  So here is your pretty picture for today:  Borage.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Remember the mullein that I accidentally planted in the driveway?  Well, it is year two right now and they are getting ready to burst into bloom.  And believe me when I say that they are HUGE!!!  I am five feet nothing and when I spread my arms wide, they are bigger than that!!!  And there are seven of them!!!    

 

I love it!!!  I will show you again when they actually bloom.  I will stand by them for perspective.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Out in the garden the other day, I noticed this flower bud on one of my red onions.  There was only one, so I left it alone.

 

I had garlic scapes on the brain when I saw it.  Of course, it is the onion trying to flower, but I wonder if it is going to bloom beautifully like the leeks?  Or is it taking energy from the onion bulb like the scapes?  

 

Either way, look how curly and cute it is!  

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

On our way down the hill to collect leaves the other day, I saw Mr. Fox crossing the road.  Look how beautiful he is!  I was a good ways away, but used my telephoto lens, and got his picture.  I took several as he was walking up the road.  He didn't seem in a hurry to get away, but as you can see, he was very aware of my presence.  What a fun day that was!!!

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!