Mixed Up Seasons

Chard Harvest

It's been awhile, but gardening in California has been quite interesting over the last month in the half. We've had torrential downpours in April followed by overly warm "summer" days. We've had frost, thunderstorms, high humidity and of course earthquakes.

 

So gardening has been difficult. Cool plants have thrived into June, and up until Friday I was still harvesting broccoli, lettuces and spinach which are doing well considering they are usually toast by now. However, the warm weather veggies have had a very hard time. The yellow squash are struggling along and the tomatoes have just begun to take off. Green beans are doing great now, while my black eyed peas and dry beans are struggling along.

They say patience is a virtue, but this is ridiculous. This weekend we had temps in the 90's and suddenly my drip system needed an immediate overhaul ASAP to keep my plants from frying in 24 hours (this is usually done between spring and summer but I guess we don't get a spring this year).

In 48 hours (between Friday and today) my Bok Choi, Chard, and Spinach have begun to bolt.

Hopefully, summer is finally here and the summer garden can finally begin. Although I'm sure I will be complaining about the heat in the next couple of weeks.

Kellogg Breakfast, Pineapple and Sioux Tomato plants from Laurel's Heirloom Tomatoes (Great selection of heirloom tomatoes and peppers).

They finally made it into the ground May 15th (1 month after they arrived due to the late frost)

Squash struggling along May 15th

The new bean and tomato supports my husband built. A new idea for this season, let's see how it works.

We converted to a tumbler composter this year. I've found it to be easier to turn my compost however it is quite messy when the "compost tea" drains as you turn. Which of course the dogs LOVE to roll in (it figures, it's smelly and dirty).

The lovely Calla Lily that emerged behind the smelly compost bin.

The herb garden loved the wacky spring weather. (Thyme)