What a difference a week makes. Last week, I was somewhat stuck inside by the cold rain. This week, it’s the incredible heat. (We’re not in official heat wave territory here, but you don’t have to go too far south to get there…) The iris are definitely out now – all types even.
I still went and did my garden shopping on Friday after work, which was the perfect time. There were only a few cars when I got there, but by the time I left, the lot was about three quarters full. Above is this year’s haul – it’s a bit smaller than years past. I concentrated on veggies, herbs, the normal plants I get to flesh out the back garden, and a few things for the front. I actually managed to walk away with no perennials. (Well, not counting the herbs that I don’t necessarily winter over anyway.)
Here’s the back yard – I just added some coleus and begonias, and the cilantro is hiding out back here so it’ll hopefully survive the heat.
For the side garden, I’m trying something a little different this year. Other than the lemon verbena I bought (which is a shrub), I’m grouping the rest of the herbs together in larger pots. So pot #1 has Thai basil, oregano, and rosemary. (There’s space for the shiso I tried to pick up at the Farmer’s Market this week, but because I went a little later than I normally do was already gone for the day). Pot #2 (which is one of the tomato bags in line with the other large pots) is parsley, regular basil and sage.
I also have a milder jalapeno, a gold cherry tomato, and a Juliet grape/plum tomato (depends on who you ask – it’s definitely a small plum or large grape).
I also added some begonias and osteopurnums to the front.
I was up early this morning (well, for a Sunday), which meant I had all this planted by 10:00, and the yard and garage neatened up. Not bad for a day’s work. I’m not feeling at all bad laying low for the rest of the day to beat the heat.