Steamy Sunday

Another 1/2" of rain fell Saturday afternoon just as I was putting away the lawnmower. An hour later, the sun was out again.

The ditch lilies are still going strong by the front walk.



So are the rudbeckia in the perennial bed.



The first Four O'clock bloomed last night.



Monarda citriodora.



Black & Blue Salvia is blooming.



Three pink azaleas are way behind schedule.



The squash is right on time.



It's 72 degrees. The temperature is already starting to rise. By mid-afternoon, we'll be in the 90s.

Rainstorms.

Yesterday, it came another downpour. We've gotten nearly 5" of rain this month. Our average is just over 4" in May. I'm not complaining. No, sir. The garden has really taken off. Loads of rudbeckia are ready to bloom, we just need some sun. The potager is growing visibly each day. Squash plants are about to bloom. Seeds that I had given up on in the meadow are germinating. New seeds were tossed out last night just after a heavy storm. The ground squishes when you walk. It's 64 degrees, cloudy, and humid. 30% chance of late afternoon drizzle again today.

Some random pictures taken yesterday before it rained.

















8:37am - The microwave is in. I told you I was serious about getting this kitchen done. It was easier than I thought it would be. The outlet in the upper cabinet isn't hooked up to the breaker box yet, but I picked up the breaker yesterday and if I'm courageous enough, I might just install it myself. Robert has offered to come back to do it, but that's a long drive just to install a simple breaker. He gave me instructions.



Next up, a test piece for the new countertops I intend to build in a few weeks. I've decided I don't like the laminate. I'm thinking concrete.

Orange

Yesterday, I saw my first hummingbird of the season sipping from the red hot pokers near the street. Of course I didn't have my camera.



The lantana I overwintered in the basement is blooming. The original planting did not survive the winter.



The Knockouts are taking a break while the ditch lilies do their thing. I was wondering what it would be like to have orange and pink/red blooms together in this space. I guess I don't have to worry about that now.



California poppies have been flopping all over. I've yet to see a flush of blooms on upright stalks. I'll let them reseed though I have yet to find a seed pod.



Cosmos are blooming here and there.



Joseph's Coat?



Rosa chinensis.



A ladybug. I've been seeing a lot of them this year. I've not sprayed for insects this year. I see a few issues with the roses and some blackspot. We'll see how it works out when the humidity and temperatures return this summer.



It's 63 degrees. More rain passed through overnight. The high today should reach the mid 70s.

Two Days Off.

It's good to have goals. Today, I will focus on getting the rest of these containers planted out. A couple are for people at work or customers that have asked for specific things. They'll be moved and one or two items need to be repotted before they split their containers. The rest will find homes in the beds around the backyard. I'm tired of looking at this mess.



I've already started this morning. About 7am, I made coffee and grabbed the shovel. The impatiens I sowed weeks ago were planted out. Hopefully, the squirrels won't dig all of these up. They've also eaten every nearly ripe strawberry.



I planted two rooted cuttings of Mystic Spires salvia in the perennial bed where I think I could use some purple. I can always use more purple.



If you've got purple, you've got to have orange.



The ditch lilies along the bottom of the retaining wall are about to explode.



The show is already starting near the mailbox where the concrete and asphalt create a warmer microclimate.



It's 59 degrees. The sun is out, but hazy clouds keep it from shining full force just yet. There's a chance of afternoon thunderstorms so I need to get a lot done this morning. Today is my day. I plan to spend it doing what I enjoy most, gardening. I'll also be doing some weeding in various parts of the yard as the mood strikes. I've already cleared about 8' of crabgrass from the edges of the driveway along the perennial bed. Feels good to have my hands in my dirt.

12:22pm - Done. The rest are just started seeds like coleus and some items for others. Only 23 more holes will be dug for those that are staying with me, assuming germination comes.



While planting out and watering, I noticed my first cosmos bloom. I like it.



And some pictures from around the perennial bed.







Can't forget the hot pink hybrid tea rose. It's so pink it's tacky.



It's 77 degrees. The hammock calls.

Foliage.

Butterfly bush in the shrub island.



A white spirea. This plant has been moved three times. It now resides in the shrub island.



Dame's rocket. A couple clumps are starting to push out stalks just a few feet away.



A mum, larkspur, and others at the arbor spanning the entrance to the perennial bed.



Golden Jubilee.



Yucca. I dug this one from my parents' property in SC. They grow wild in the woods here. I might regret that some day.



Something new that popped up next to the driveway. Any thoughts?



The new foliage of Ligustrum Howardii is tinged with gold.



More ditch lilies.



May Night Salvia. A clearance purchase last summer.



Elymus arenarius 'Blue Dune' grass. These are on the slope where I have knockouts and lavender.



Poppies, I think.



It's 48 degrees and cloudy. Today will be cooler reaching about 60 degrees. Tomorrow, the heat wave starts rolling in.



Majesty Palms and Peace lilies have arrived at the store just in time for Palm Sunday and Easter. The fragrant white lilies will be arriving in another week. Boston ferns are on the racks. Petunias will be available shortly. It's strange. We went from extreme cold to the middle of spring in just a couple of weeks. I'm not sure any of us were prepared for this. Obviously, the shoppers are happy about it, spending gobs of money just to be outside for a few hours. It's not a bad time to be paid to work outdoors.

Signs of Spring.

When I wake up to below freezing temperatures, I get discouraged. A couple cups of coffee and a bundled stroll through the yard gives me hope. Yesterday's snow is gone, even from the shady spots in the yard. It's coming, but Mother Nature is taking her own sweet time. We're a month behind last year.

Some of the 200 daffodils on the front slope are finally poking through the soil.



Ditch lilies at the end of the driveway are showing promise.



Hyacinths are budding, finally.



An Endless Summer hydrangea on the north side of the house has been in the shade all winter. Still, it shows promise too.



The birds have stripped the neighbor's holly tree. Two weeks ago it was covered with bright red berries and bright red birds.



There won't be any baths this morning. The stream in the gully is the scene of constant chatter.



It's 40 degrees. Weather.com says we should reach the mid 50s today. By Monday, we'll see daytime highs in the 60s, for at least a week. Only three more nights of freezing weather is forecast for the next 10 days. Come on spring. Bring it on. Everyone's ready.