To say I am pleased with our gardens this year would be an
understatement. Things are growing well, everything looks lush and we are
eating a ton of food from our own backyard already...I have to remind myself
often it is only the beginning of July.
The last three weeks I have been heading out first thing in
the morning to pick Swiss chard for our morning smoothie. Some days after breakfast
I pick some kale, get it seasoned up with this and put it in the dehydrator so
it is ready for a pre dinner snack. Afternoons have me heading out for more
kale, lettuce and herbs for dinner. And for the last two weeks every couple of
days we have been blessed with some strawberries for dessert. Life really doesn’t
get much better...okay maybe it does, but for now it all seems pretty awesome.
The perennial beds are also gracing us with a ton of beauty.
A few weeks ago the poppies were magnificent. Now the lilies are making an
appearance, the daisies are blooming and the bee balm is gorgeous. Everything
about this gardening season is amazing me.
Of course there are a few things that are not so
awesome...the bugs. They are eating my sunflowers and pretty much demolished
one bunch of basil I planted. The sunflowers are fighting back, sprouting new
leaves every day and I have planted more basil. I have fingers crossed the good
bugs who feast on the not so good bugs will be here soon. The good ones are
always a few weeks behind, but I have faith they will be here soon.
Now it’s time for a little walk around the garden:
 |
| The raised vegetable beds |
 |
| Kale and Swiss chard |
 |
| Strawberries, beets, onions and carrots |
 |
| Look at that deliciousness |
 |
| Someone is stealing my strawberry |
 |
| Butternut squash, zucchini and herbs |
Love your garden tour and I just love your front porch!! We have a tiny one that maybe one person can sit, so I notice the large porches!
ReplyDeleteThanks, we really love our front porch, it was one of the things that sold us on the house.
DeleteFantastic Kim! I didn't realize that Kale was a summer crop. It's not really a 110 degree summer crop I guess... I'm sorry to hear about the bugs. I've got lot's of those around here. Can't keep them off the tomato plants and something got to all three of my pepper plants. After our vacation I'll be replanting from seed just about everything and we'll see how it goes.
ReplyDeleteYou place looks fabulous, if we ever make it to the east coast one day I'm coming to visit!
Thanks KC!!! Kale grows here spring, summer, fall and right into the winter...gotta love it!!
DeleteAnd YES it would be lovely to have you come and visit. And you won't have to go as far as the east coast :)
Goodness! Everything looks so beautiful and lush and amazing! I'm having some major envy here!
ReplyDeleteYour garden is so lush and beautiful and I must once again say how much I love your home and entire set-up. Our garden is not doing so wonderful with the recent heat insanity, but the cucumbers seem to be thriving with plenty of watering, so I guess that's something! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Sara. It has been hard this summer with the heat, we have been pretty lucky to get a few rainy nights here and there which gives everything a good soak. Glad to hear your cucumbers are thriving, at least you will have those to chomp on :)
Delete"Shopping" for meals in the yard is what I love about a garden and yours is beautiful. Our garden is almost done for the season and soon will be cut under to make way for the fall garden...it seems to have gone so quickly.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is the best! And thank you.
DeleteCan't believe it is almost time for you to start the fall garden, wow, that was fast.
What a lovely meander through your garden that was, Kim. Thanks so much for sharing your gorgeous place. It has given me lots of inspiration that's for sure:) xx
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure Kim, glad you enjoyed it :)
DeleteIs that a hakuro nishiki willow in front of your cottage? Love those!!
ReplyDeleteThese photos are just beautiful, Kim. Your gardens look amazing!! I've never see raised beds in a front yard and I'm loving it. Why not show those beauties off!?! Such a lovely landscape... really wishing we were neighbors.
It is Kelly, and I love it too! I call it the front yard, but really we don't have a front yard. The house is on the far east side of our property and the gardens, yard, garage, chicken coop are all west of the house. The cedar fence, you can see it behind the raised beds, is our privacy fence, on the other side is a small grassy area and then the road.
DeleteI would love to have you living next door :)
So beautiful! This post is overflowing with natural beauty! LOVE
ReplyDeleteThanks Brooke!
DeleteKim your garden is looking fantastic. Do you use a moon guide with your planting? xxoo
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie. No I don't use a moon guide, do you? Would love to know more...
DeleteKim I'll do a post on planting by the moon soon as Kim H has been asking me about it too. I'd just keep doing what you're doing though as your results are fantastic. Maybe you could do a post on how you garden!!! xxoo
DeleteHi Kim,
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to share something with you that my 4 year old said the other day. I know you will appreciate it!
His cousin came over to our home and showed my son some of the mud pies that she had made while playing in her yard. The first thing my little guy asked was, "Are those pies organic?" The things they pick up on! I just had to chuckle inside!
Your gardens are so beautiful. Here in the US where I live, we are dealing with the heat. I am so amazed at how green your gardens are. Just beautiful!!
Thanks for sharing, that is too cute, love it!
DeleteWe are dealing with the heat too, although not as hot as the US, but still pretty hot for us. I am not sure how everything has stayed so green, so I don't question it, just express my gratitude for it :)
Your garden is my favorite! It's so lush and beautiful. Thanks for linking up!
ReplyDeleteAwe, thanks! If we don't get rain soon though, it might not be so lush next time you see it.
DeleteWhat a wonderful place to call home!
ReplyDeleteMy kids love to eat the bee balm so much that last year it got trampled and only two stalks of my favorite variety came up. I had to move it to a safer place.
I hope the good bugs arrive soon!
Thanks Kaylana.
DeleteReece has not tried to eat the bee balm yet, so I am safe for now :)
Your garden's awesome with it's practical and beautiful plants! We have a problem with pests, too. Fruit flies have ruined so many crops of tomatoes and stone fruit, and the cockatoos can strip a tree in less than a hour:-( They can be mindlessly destructive which is even more frustrating! I hope you get on top of your bug problem:-)
ReplyDeleteThanks! It is so hard, the bugs. I like to let it all get worked out on its own, so I am hoping the lady bugs and other good bugs show up soon. Fingers crossed.
Deleteeverything looks beautiful and delicious! i've been battling the squash and cucumber bugs. i know you mentioned in your comments you are waiting for the beneficial bugs to do their duties, but wanted to mention that my friend had good results in spraying diluted peppermint Dr. Bronner's soap to get rid of the bugs. i'm guessing peppermint oil in any liquid soap might do the trick too. good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks Heather. And what a great tip, I will try that, I have some Dr. Bonner's peppermint soap in the bathroom :)
DeleteYay! Thanks for linking up.... and what a wonderful garden you have!
ReplyDeleteThanks Taryn :)
Delete