The bearded Iris...A close view proves quite furry indeed!
The Wildflowers.....They are still in great abundance, to the delight of myself, and the many pollinators.
Self Seeded Ruby Gems...These wildflowers were planted in a rather exposed position many years ago. They bloomed reluctantly there for the first year and have now, so many years later, moved themselves profusely to the shade beneath a giant oak much further up the slope!
Baby
Persimmon Fruit/Blossoms....I love the brilliant green of the persimmon tree. The blossoms are understated cream colored stars at the base of the fruit. This tree is growing rapidly again this season. I will be pruning it back at the path level as it has encroached into our access. There is plenty of growth up high and ideally, one should prune for a comfortable walk (first branch shoulder or head high) within the orchard.
The Greengage Plum...All the plum trees must be staked, and thinned again very soon for they are all very heavy with fruit, notice the way the branches are drooping down. Plum trees can tolerate and will benefit from removal of up to 70% of the fruit, especially in an
abundant year like this. For truly prize-sized fruit, the ratio is one fruit every 2"-4". Ruthless. I give each branch a good shake between now and July sometime, and will manually remove the thickest of the
fruit set. Some
orchardists use a pole to knock the excess fruit off. Apples as well, benefit quite a bit from the removal of excess fruit.
This is the Stanley Prune Plum....After a good shake and a bit of manually thinning.... The prune plums generally, can be left a bit thicker. A few plums may still drop on their own and I will do a final once over in July.
The
BlackCap Raspberry...We have an
abundant stand of them in the yard and several other wayward clumps here and there. They have bloomed and set fruit in an instant it seems! By the time I trained my
lens on them, it seems their bloom was long gone. On to the eating! These are a wild variety of raspberry that normally ripens mid/late June. Very good eating!!
Mulberry...This is the Illinois Mulberry. I highly
recommend it. This fruit tree is care free, early to set fruit, needs nothing more than minimal (broken/crossing & for shape) pruning, and has delicious fruit nearly all summer!! This tree must be protected with bird netting or
reemay, to discourage the
blue jays.
Loving Those Chive Blooms...
Rose. June's flower is the rose, so true, so true. Below, New Moon Rose...
Bearded Iris...In close view: Purple...Below: Random Varieties...Some shots taken at dusk w/flash - weird.
Japanese Iris...These are so sweet and easy to grow! They can be planted out here and there, for a naturalized effect as well. In our area they will bloom without additional irrigation. They are daintier, and more simple than the bearded iris, but they make great cut flowers with their tall stems and multiple blooms.
Columbine and Daisy..No homestead is complete without these two carefree beauties!
Summer Days are here, or so it seemed over the weekend. Last week up until Saturday it was very hot. Sunday started out warm as well, but by afternoon we had a sweet cloud cover and some light breezes. The rain started Monday morning and it has showered on and off
until this morning. Even today was blissfully cool, but thankfully, not too windy, my favorite working weather. It has been a blessed relief to have some break from irrigating. The showers will keep the hills 'greenish' for a bit longer, as well. Already, the 'gold' on those hills here in California, is starting to show itself. Long dry summer a-coming. i am grateful for the rain, a great
summerartsfair, my family and my pets. (BTW: Snoopy is doing
OK. At his "training camp" he has shown his true naughtiness, so at least the trainer knows what she is up against!. They are making some small progress with him. We are so looking forward to his rambunctious return, although
Tigger and Buster have really enjoyed the reprieve, showing a much more relaxed mood, and willingness to mingle in the main room. Buster has even gone as far as sleeping in Snoopy's bed!!) xxooJj
This Plant was adopted about 15 years ago when they tore out the planters at the Arcata Co-op. My oldest daughter insisted that we try to save one as they were tearing them out and throwing them in a dumpster!
Some oddball shots today. No time for a digital life...Close up of a PEACE ROSE.....
This is a Funny Phallic Flower.....it volunteered many years ago in a pot w/a nursery rose. The blossoms are creamy white and this is the seedpod...
Oh My! Pears!............
The Lavender.......It is amazing right now. The seeds are microscopic, yet I insist on attempting to start them from seed. It is such a miracle every time. That something so completely tiny, could sprout and grow into something so unique and beautiful, so enduring, and really! ....so much BIGGER!!! These were started from seed several years ago.
Lettuce, and a close up of our amazing Climbing Rose.....
Wow, the longest day has come and gone.....Alas! The slide towards winter has already begun. Still, the birds start singing in my haven on the hill before 5 am. (!) With first light creeping over the horizon shortly afterwards....I am very busy with completion of our school year. Tomorrow is our final day. It will be a wonderful time complete with a homespun pioneer puppet play - based on a book called Smiling Hill Farm - (damn! can't figure out the underline html...bold will have to do...) by my youngest who is 8, and a six dish feast of Thai food with an oral presentation on the same, by my 11 year old. We have home schooled since 2002 and it has been one of the best decisions we have made as a family. I encourage you to check out Calvert School and home schooling in general, if you are at all interested. Calvert offers great support for independent schools as well. The sweet bonding between my girls, our relaxed schedule, and Calvert's complete and user friendly curriculum, have made it a very good choice for us. Calvert School has been in existence since 1905, and their curriculum is very thorough, with a cohesive sequence throughout the grades. We have now taught all their elementary grades k-6, and have been very impressed with the scope of study and the connections between each year. Obviously, this year, our schedule has been really relaxed, as we are yet to complete the year, and the first day of summer has come and gone! But I am happy with our progress and would not trade this experience for anything
!
