Elisa's Eye on the World

South Fence Side with New Raised Bed

The glacial green area marks the area called "South Beach" to the left is the rejuvenated fern, trimmed down in February and now has interesting growth emerging. The rain barrel and then the small glacial green area which is nice for the cafe table set or hammock.

Then on the left  is the new raised bed, now home to 2 dozen mixed color Gladiolus and 4 White Thyme ground covers. This is where the fence was replaced and it was about time go it planted. In the fall, tall but narrow shrubs are planned to give year round interest to the area.

Veggies in the Garden (so far)

So far, we have two varieties of peas:

San Marzano, or plum tomato

Sungold, cherry tomato

There's some Sweet Basil in the laundry room, as the overnight temperature is not yet over 50 degrees.

Cherry Tomatoes from the Garden (Finally)

Hub's show's off the smallest of the bunch.

Nice assortment, and not $6!

A Sunny Day to Check on the Garden

Foxglove Village

Nice sunflower starts by the Glacial Green path.

Sun deprived tomatoes soak up the rays.

Looking up the lower rubble wall.

Tomatoes Planted!

A variety of cherry tomatoes including one gallon size plant to try something different. Staking by Hubs, still in process but it's great to have the framework there. Up front is a Lime Basil plant.

Alternate view of the vegetable bed, the tall plants in foreground are summer blooming Leopard Lilies.

Eight Winter Pansies in the Upper Raised Bed

The upper raised bed is occupied for the cool weather by eight winter pansies - two each of four colors: violet, crimson, white and yellow. A great suggestion from M at the local garden center.

Largest Pumpkin in the Raised Bed

So far, this is the largest pumpkin of this year's crop. A garden glove seemed like a good object to give the sense of scale. This one is at the south end of the bed, nestled near the three tomato plants.

Pumpkin in the Raised Bed

This is the biggest one so far of the "Jack Be Quick" pumpkins started from seed this spring.

Tomato "Ark" Update - Last Day of July

Earlier in the month these plants were pretty small, but the last week of above average heat, and early morning watering has brought them into the next stage. Fruit is starting to appear,and I'm resisting the $3 or $4 pints available in stores until ours are ready for picking. The varieties are "Patio", "Sungold" and "Yellow Pear." Along the borders are Pumpkin vines from plants in the middle of the raised bed.

First of the Leopard Lilies

The first of the Leopard Lilies to return this year has started to bloom; filling in the color gap of late June.

End of June view of Pumpkins, Tomatoes and Sunflowers

On the far left are a group of sunflowers; up close are two of the three pumpkins (started from seed) and three tomato plants of different varieties. Ready for takeoff!

Tomato "Ark" Installed for 2009 Crop

Installed last weekend, this year's tomato staking looks much like an ark. Hubs fashioned this creation from bamboo stakes and plastic zip ties. No doubt it will withstand the indeterminate variety of tomatoes we have planted in this nice sunny spot.

Lupines in Pink

 These are a dazzling color of pink - this photo also shows the interesting foliage of these hardy plants.

Creamy Pink Columbine

A few creamy pink Columbines appeared on the new raised bed on the north side. The dappled sunlight and protected area near the fence suits their delicate form. More common is the purple variety to the right.

The Amaryllis Gang

Here garden whimsy is added with Ali, Frank and Annie on daytime guard duty of the Amaryllis. This will be its first outside bloom. Before, it was forced to bloom inside in a container. The red bulb was planted alongside the pathway to the top of the garden. Along the way sedums and ornamental strawberry surround the stones and ornamental grass mark the top. Raised beds with the vegetables are in the background along with a few soon to be blooming iris plants.

Raised Beds Prepared for the Upcoming Season

These raised beds are in the space formerly occupied by the in-ground fiberglass swimming pool installed by a previous homeowner. Hubs cleaned out the remains of last year's crops and layered compost throughout - setting a fresh clean palate for this year's plantings. Good thing too - we got a light dusting of snow overnight.

Cherry Tomatoes Plants in all Stages of Bloom

The status report from the tomato beds is vigorous growth and an abundant crop, at various stages of ripeness. Oh yeah.

Colorful raised bed enlivens sidewalk and streetscape.

Shown here is a raised bed along the strip between the sidewalk and curb.

The pinkish Lupines are just spectacular this year, surrounded by ornamental Blue Oat Grass and the maroon Barberry.

I just tucked in some sunflower plants at the end of the bed so the colorful spectacle will continue through fall.

Ground Covers Spreading and Growing

The strip next to the square raised bed was amended with compost around the four ground covers planted last fall.

Hopefully next year the area will be a step-worthy strip.

Square Raised Bed Primed for Summer

Today a nice big bag of compost was added to the square raised bed. This bed literally bakes in the summer and plants need all the help they can.

Two Sugar Snap Pea plants are on the left, numerous Strawberries on right.

In the middle are some Sunflowers and four pumpkins which "volunteered" from last year.

Cherry Tomato Plants from Summer 2007

Another summer memory of lush green tomato plants with fruit in various stages of ripeness. The bamboo stake framing was cleverly fashioned by Hubs to support the indeterminate growing habit.

Pumpkins on the Vine

This was actually taken a few weeks ago, oregano on the left makes a nice contrast.

Green Pumpkin and Tomatoes

This was take in late July,very promising. Hopefully now that it is August, colors will turn and there will be Sweet 100 Tomatoes and Sugar Pumpkins to share.

Sugar Pumpkin in Late July

The unexpected July rain has given the pumpkins a needed extra push.

Large Raised Bed View to the South

Here is a view of the large raised bed taken at the beginning of July. The box next to bench has some irises from a neighbor that need to find a space in the ground.

When we bought the house in 1995 there was an in ground fiberglass swimming pool in this very spot. Rather than repair and replace the ill placed pool, we took it out and put in a garden in June 2003.

The deep end was shaded in the late afternoon by neighboring trees. The kidney shaped pool was surrounded by concrete, rail road ties and painted wood decking. All materials were failing or in disrepair.

A series of stone retaining walls were professionally installed to replace the rail road ties. An expensive but worthwhile investment. Unlike the ties which ended up at the hazardous material dump after less than 20 years, this wall will last a life time.

Leopard Lilies 2007

This is the second year we had these six plants (grown from bulbs) in the upper raised beds. Thanks Mom!

Tulip and Hebe Mix

This pair of tulips is still standing after the April storms, because they are in a more protected area than the rest.

These naturalized to the larger planter on the north side of the house this year, mixing in nicely with the well established maroon Alicia Amherst Hebe .