Monday, September 02, 2013

Today's Harvest

Not bad.  Yesterday there was a colander full of pole beans, plus a bowl of tomatoes.  Today, more of both, and a cucumber.  A little thyme on the side.

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Sedum Autumn Joy with Honeybees

Italian Honeybees forage Sedum "Autumn Joy"

Italian Honeybees forage Sedum "Autumn Joy"

Italian Honeybees forage Sedum "Autumn Joy"

This is the clump of Sedum "Autumn Joy", I moved Tuesday.  It was wrinkly and grey from drought.  Light as a feather.  Watered every other day.  Now, Saturday, flowers are opening and the honeybees are foraging.

On this sedum, I see only honeybees.  Some of the other plants have bumblebees, small bees, or combination of all three.

Lessons learned:
1.  Sedum "Autumn Joy" is very drought tolerant.
2.  Even so, it's possible to make it wilt by not watering.
3.  The wilted sedum can be dug up and moved easily.
4.  With several good waterings, the plant will plump up and make a handsome "shrub" in a few days.
5.  Sedum "Autumn Joy" is very easy to transplant when dry.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Hollywood Plums

Ning harvested the plums

Hollywood Plums
Ning harvested the Hollywood plums.  Nice big bowl of plums.  Very sweet and full of flavor.  I love these plums.

Ginkgo biloba seedlings.

Ginkgo biloba seedling.

Ginkgo biloba seedling.
 These are Ginkgo biloba seedlings growing among the irises and herbs.  I planted the seeds last fall.

There are around 5 or 6 seedlings.  I'm guessing I planted a couple dozen seeds.  There was evidence some seeds were dug and eaten by birds or squirrels.

These received no special care after planting the seeds last fall.  Whatever the irises and herbs got, the ginkgo seedlings got.

They are small enough, they can stay put for a couple of years.  Then transplant to another bed or someplace more permanent.
Ginkgo biloba seedling.

Moving an established Sedum Autumn Joy

Sedum "Autumn Joy"
This is the 2nd Sedum "Autumn Joy" or similar cultivar, that I moved.  It must be 10 years old, up to 13.  Since I've been concentrating on the Battleground gardening, I have not been watering in Vancouver.  It was very dry, feather-light.  I wrapped it in a large dog blanket, drove it to Battleground, and planted in front of the house.  Soaked a couple of times.

The first sedum's leaves plumped up nicely.  I expect the same from this one.

The plant is barely starting to bloom.  Even so, honeybees almost immediately found it, and are collecting nectar.