It’s been a busy time in the garden lately, it has kept me from my desk as I spend most of my time outside. I am calling this a June post even though it is at the very end. Many of the pictures, especially of flowers, were taken earlier this month.

My husband completed a couple more raised beds for the vegetable garden. In our case, because of the invasive redwood roots, they are raised above the ground. I had to dig out roots several times each year as they competed with my vegetables, choking them and acidifying the soil. It was hard work sometimes requiring a hacksaw. Having them above ground saves my back and the plants. Here’s a peek…

There are still two more boxes to complete my mini-farm. The resident carpenter thinks they will be completed sometime this week.

Tomatoes don’t do well here unless you have a greenhouse, which we don’t have. The night temperatures are too cool. I grew wonderful tomatoes in Oakland with the aid of something called Walls of Water. They are plastic tunnels with tubes that you fill with water. During the day the water-filled tubes are warmed by the sun, releasing their heat during the night. I’ve placed four plants in one of the warmest areas of the yard where there is south sun and protection from the wind.

I know it’s late to plant tomatoes (these are a determinate variety) but our warmest days are yet to come. I am keeping my fingers crossed, stay tuned.

Those same redwood roots make their way into the half-wine barrels where I have planted roses. I dig out the roses every other year in late winter, add new potting soil and fertilizer, and then replant them. They seem to thrive despite the disruption.

The rhododendrons are almost finished blooming. They were very late this year due to the cold and wet winter. These pictures were taken in early June (sorry I missed a post last month), this is catch-up time.

I have sweet pea flowers, one of my favorites.

And lastly, just a walk about the rest of the garden.

It’s an English cottage look, a bit messy most of the time but lots of flowers. The dahlias are not quite blooming yet but they will be when I post in early August. There is lots of activity out there…bees, hummingbirds, buzzing insects, and the birds hunting them.