Kitchen Garden

Here is the kitchen garden now.  Yesterday I added a raised bed.  As usual bottom is lined with chicken wire to prevent mole damage.   I planted tomatoes.  This time the deer/rabbit fence is vertical.

 There is space in this format for 2 more raised beds.  Then it will be three by three.  It does not have to be that formal.

I planted the tomatoes deep, as is the recommendation.

 Instead of a gate, the chicken wire on one side is looped over screws and held in place by clothes pins.  The fence posts are screwed to the sides of the bed using deck screws.

On the sides that do not open, the chicken wire is stabled to the frame.  To frustrate and annoy rabbits.

I don't think the deer will jump in.  I read they don't like confined spaces.

The lighter-green tomato was in the raised bed with radishes and snow peas.  I don't know why it's lighter green.  Maybe not enough nitrogen.  The other plants in that bed are quite green.

This soil is 50/50 compost topsoil mix from recycler.  That might green it up.

I have some seedling tomatoes at home that will also be added.  Maybe next week.

Weigela

This is the Weigela I bought at Schreiner's last week.  It was in a 1-gallon container.  Large plant but pot bound.  I suspect it's a start from one of the big weigelas in their show garden, likely an old or heritage variety.

I pruned the roots so they will grow into the surrounding soil instead of winding around.  That might leave it more susceptible to dehydration but better in the long run.  The soil is fairly high clay so should retain moisture.  I mulched with compost then straw.  It will need watering this summer.

Weigelas are listed as deer resistant, drought tolerant, and pollinator friendly.  I saw honeybees pollinating them at Schreiner's.  They are also listed as hummingbird friendly.

I think this one will grow large, based on the ones I saw at the show garden.

If they bloom on growth that occurs early spring the year before, it might not bloom next year.  If they bloom on growth that occurs after flowering, there is a better chance of blooming next year.

Why Fences are Needed

Ning took this today.

Schreiner's Iris Gardens

Laburnum

Schreiner's Iris Gardens

Aesculus

Weigelia

Trees. Progress Report.

Laburnum. The flower clusters may not be as long as in an established tree. Still beautiful. Redmond linden. Also growing nicely. Also no sign of flowers. The leaves are lighter green, and larger, compared with Greenspire. Greenspire linden. All are growing nicely. No sign yet of flower buds. Maybe none the first year. I think all of the trees planted last summer and fall will need water approximately weekly this summer. They are mulched as well.