Pictures, Pictures, Pictures

I had every intention of writing and posting this post last night, but after coming in before dinner, taking a shower and eating . . . I bonked.  Although it may seem comfortable to some of you who have been having to survive in 90-100 degree temps, working outside all day in our temps in the 80s was enough to drain all the oompf out of me.

But, boy howdy, did I get a lot done.  (Papa Pea, too, in his own area of expertise expended as much energy . . . and sweat just as much!)  We did kind of push it because today was forecast to be a day of thunderstorms and much precipitation.  As of about an hour ago, that's exactly what's happening.  'Tis dark as can be out there and the thunder is rolling and the rain is falling.

We have a good day to be inside and rest.  We may need it as Papa Pea had a lot of trouble winding down and falling asleep last night and after nature called me at 3 a.m., I wasn't able to fall back asleep so went out onto the couch and read.  And read and read before falling back into a rather restless sleep.

Yesterday late afternoon I did stagger outside right after my shower (and clean, cool clothes) to snap some garden pictures.

Our asparagus is starting to fern out.  We're still getting a few thick stalks for fresh eating, but the end is near.  We ate A LOT of it fresh this season, and I managed to get 17 servings stashed in the freezer for winter meals.

This is a bed of immature dill in the middle, Swiss chard on one side and spinach on the other.  The Swiss chard will last until frost (and even a little longer) while I cut the outer leaves to use when I wish.  Although I've harvested many baby spinach leaves, it's starting to bolt in a serious way in this hot weather.

The sugar snap peas have climbed about four feet up each side of the hoop trellis.  They've been slow in blooming (I've found only one lonely blossom so far) for some reason.  Maybe they're using all their energy to scale this bigger trellis!

The scarlet runner beans planted around the tepee trellis are lush and starting to grab hold and climb.  I'm looking forward to the display they'll put on once they blossom with their gorgeous red flowers.  Those are carrots on either side of the bed.

Yippee!  The broccoli is starting to head out.  The heads are 3-4" across but not as tight as I would like to see them.  This particular variety is Goliath, an old, well-proven variety that I'm trying for the first time this year.  The heads supposedly reach 10-12" across (yikes!), and I've never grown broccoli with such (supposedly) big heads before. 

The haskap bushes are LOADED this year.  Fruity, deep dark purple wine, here we come!

The slicing cucumbers are just starting to crawl over their bed.

The row of cosmos planted on the north end of the field garden is looking good.

Yesterday I spotted the first blossom.  I adore bouquets of these multi-colored, long-lasting flowers.

The taller plants here are dinner plate sized sunflowers Chicken Mama grew last year and saved the seeds for her birds . . . and some for me to plant in my garden this year.  The shorter row are Ring of Fire sunflowers.  Smaller head sizes and perfect for cut flowers.  (Sweet Sue in Michigan, you were the one who turned me on to this variety a few years ago, weren't you?)

Lastly, although kinda funny looking right now, this bed of cauliflower plants are shrouded in their own leaves while their heads grow into big, beautiful, white mounds.  (I hope!)

Yay for summer time and gardens and good growing weather!