Kitchen Garden

The containerized beans are growing great, and now have their first flowers. I guess I didn't start them too early.

Ning set up this raised bed. The potatoes were volunteer - I don't know what type they are. They are so vigorous. He used compost that came from the chicken bedding.

The tomatoes are starting to bloom. The first is Better Boy. I guess I didn't start these too early either. Despite the rain and rain and rain and rain.

Figs

Not doing anything to the figs now - they are just growing. This might be the best breba crop ever.

King.  The crop is so heavy, the branches are already drooping.

Lattarula - ditto.  I'll hold off any pruning until after the June harvest.

Cuttings from King. I have more - what will I do with them?

More on Irises

It's raining and raining and raining and raining. Not the best for perfect form and durability of iris blossoms, but the rains are part of living in the Pacific Northwest.

I think this one is "Blue Knight". A contrast to the dark purple iris in the back yard.

Immortality. I will move this after it blooms. Immortality can rebloom in the fall if it's happy. The invading grass has been a problem, but by blooming it's identified itself for refurbishing.

Sunny Disposition. Also a rebloomer. I'll do a similar renovation after it blooms.

Edith Wolford. This is not the best time to move German Irises, but this plant was completely overwhelmed by grass. the leaves and rhizomes are weak and spindly. If it recovers, it will be more because of this plant's durability than my treatment. I thought this might be Edith Wolford, and after digging it up discovered a tag that confirmed my "theory". Lucky.

Bumblebee Delite - a small flowered variety. I need to clean it up so that it blooms better next year. Not fragrant.

"Liaison". It's been blooming for 10 years, and is is several places in my yard. I think it's time for a selected special location. fragrant.

Spiced Custard - a subtle color combination, bought at a big box store about Oct 2010, this is the first bloom. Nice. Not so fragrant. Mid size, more compact than some of the others.

This is the plan - edging to keep the grass out. For newer plants that are not too large, 2 or 3 can go into a group. For established selections, there may be one in a group. For rescues I may add several to the same group. These are slightly raised, to reduce risk for rot. The edging should keep grass out.

Field Trip to Shreiner's Iris Farm

Yesterday we made a trip to the Shreiner's Iris Farm in Oregon. These are some of the photos.

Grown for preparation of rhizomes for sale and shipping. Row upon row, beautiful irises as far as I can see.

Standing in the field.

Bought these 2, one as a replacement for American Classic, that I seem to have lost, and the other, Kissed By The Sun, is new to me.  I will plant them in one of the beds I'm preparing for improved iris growth.