Here we are, near mid-July. It’s hotter than Hades…. but the day lilies are thriving.
Long time readers will know I have many varieties (some not yet blooming) and I usually add more every year. In fact, this year, I’ve added five. It was a “purple” mix, so I’m not quite sure what I’ll get. I started them in pots. As soon as they bloom, and I figure out what colour mix they are, I’ll find permanent homes for them.
The “true lilies” aren’t doin quite as well.
I managed to stay on top of the Asian Lily Beetle early in the season, but as things got busy, my efforts fell off. They’ve come back with a vengence and have eaten quite a few buds. Even the ones that managed to bloom have a few holes in them.
Like the day lilies, I’ve started several new ones in pots. Six in fact. So far only one has bloomed.
It’s called Lady Alice. It’s a Turks Cap Lily (petals curl backwards). It only got one bloom, and sadly it was half eaten. But it’s still quite pretty.
There are still more lilies to come, depsite the beetles efforts.
My daisies are blooming and looking beautiful!
The other day, Araignee posted about some Susans she didn’t realize were Susans. There are many varieties out there and I have several in my garden.
But I still can’t get over the size of the blooms of the ones I have along the front walkway. They are easily as big as my hand.
I absolutely adore the multi-coloured ones I have!
One of the really stars of this summer is looking to be the coneflower.
They are all so robust and bright this year!
The Tickseed (AKA Coreopsis) are starting to shine too.
These are just two of the dozen or so varieties I have.
And I still can’t get over how amazing the annual poppies have done.
They are all just blooming their little hearts out!
The pansies in the front boxes are still thriving… and some little Johnny Jump Up have popped up in each box! No idea where tehy came from because they certainly weren’t there when I first planted them! I think it will be pansies in the front boxes from here on out – they’ve done so well!
The gardens are so amazing this year! I wish I could bring you all around for a personal, guided tour!
Saturday we finally got some much needed rain, so I turned my attention to some indoor activities.
Mainly, finally doing some painting on all the outdoor garden ornaments I’ve acquired that need restoring.
I learned from my poor goose and swan beaks that my craft acrylics just won’t cut it in glare of the summer sun. I needed an exterior paint that would stand up to the elements. But I didn’t need full sized cans… not to mention how spendy that would be.
Then I had the brilliant idea to get sample-size paints! I got the three primary colours, a white, a black, and a brown, so I can mix pretty much any colour I want. Then I went back and got a nice ginger-cat orange. I have several projects I want to paint up like the boys, so I figured it would be easier than constantly mixing some up.
I spent the afternoon working on a multiple projects – going back and forth as parts dried. In the end, I only finished one.
A concrete Lemmy cat, sleeping on a cushion. And even thought it’s technically done, I’m still thinking of going back and adding a bit more to his stripes. What do you think?
I was hoping to finally finish up the bottom of fairy’s dress on the weekend, but I didn’t quite manage it. There’s just a little bit of shading to do on the underdress.
Then I’m debating on which part to do next. The fox would be an obvious option, but I’m thinking I may move the hoop up and finish the ribbon and top of her dress. It would allow me to put away some of the floss bobbins, which are starting to get a little chaotic!
I guess you’ll have to wait and see what I decide.
The first quilt I wanted to work on at Mom’s was the arrow quilt.
It’s so nice to see this one finally quilted and bound. To recap, this is a quilt I conceived of several years ago (before we moved). I bought the fabric for it, and then it sat…. just waiting to be made.
When I finally set about to do it, it went together fairly quickly for the size.
Those arrows are very simple to make, and arranging them this way makes such a fun pattern. One of those that “Looks complicated but isn’t”
The hot and sticky weather has brought an end to my lovely lettuce beds… it’s almost all started to bolt.
Only my mixed lettuce is left. I pulled everything else up.
That leaves lots of sun can now reach my pumpkins, squashes and gourds. And they sorely need it.
The pumpkin that I started from seed is a sad spindly thing (left), the one I bought already grown (right) is much better, but still could use some bushing out.
The birdhouse gourds don’t look too bad (left) but my lone little buttercup squash could definitely use some tender loving care.
My melon bed on the other hand….
Is absolutely thriving! They have just exploded this last week.
Elsewhere,
I was thrilled to come home and not only find flowers on my peas, but also some very small pods! When things get moving in the garden, they really get moving
My peppers and beans both have flowers
So it won’t be long for goodies on them too.
Over in carrotland…
The jury is still out on how well the starter carrots will do – but so far, it seems ok. Their greens picked up nicely. Hopefully the roots are doing just as well. The seeds that I planted late are starting to sprout too. I’ve got to keep these beds nice and moist in this heat if I want them to survive.
I started my zucchini a little late, but it’s finally starting to pick up.
And I was shocked to see cucamelons already! They didn’t do well last year, but the year before (the first year I grew them) they didn’t start producing until much later in the season!
And last…
I should be harvesting my garlic and shallots, but they are calling for rain all day. If they are right, I’ll wait until it’s a little bit drier.
Wandering Cat Studio 