Howdy SW Friends,

Finally got around to harvesting the Swiss Chard... poor things were really packed in there tight. Some of the seedlings are popping: bok choi, new chard, peas and others. Expecting some sunny weather after all the rain last week.





Made much headway in the garden expansion. Added another cattle panel trellis with new planter boxes.



Stay safe fellow gardeners!

That is a good looking harvest and love your garden expansion!

Top of the morning, Linda!

Thanks for the kudos. I got the new planters filled and the vining peas are breaking soil. I'm hoping to get a decent harvest from them before the weather turns hot. Snow peas and snap peas, I think both have fairly quick turn around times. I have a few birdhouse gourds I thought I'd shake seeds from to plant on the Double-trellis come summer.

I've been pretty busy with paint these days. Sure is nice to have a fresh coat on things. It's a weeding day after last nights rain. I won't be able to get them all, far too many on the property, but at least the big ones. Wow, the desert is glorious with all the greenery! Finally go around to painting the Roman columns for the color bowls.

Hubs been working on some Ranch Pony repairs but was able to create a new bench style arbor for the parking area. It's still in process and will be a super addition. I might get around to removing the bracing today. We are planning on a metal and wood planter box for it as well. Just using up our leftover supplies. Whether grapes, gourds, or vining flower, I'll take any more vertical vegetation I can get.

Hope all is well.

I am so impressed with your garden and all that wonderful color and the plants on the pedestals in the first picture are just super! Wonderful garden!

Thank you, Linda. I keep plugging away!

My dahlia, clematis and gladiolas are emerging in the hoop house. I also planted some dahlia and gladiolas in the garden, but they aren't doing as well just yet. Still on the chilly side these days. Next week ought to be a big push with a week in the low 70s. However, the two star Jasmine in the hoop house are setting blooms. It's just a matter of time before they fill that space with their scent. The two potted outside on my cyclone gate trellis are doing well and putting out new growth. And, with a touch of warm weather, the climbing roses will bloom into their glory as they are loaded with buds.

I planted some hummingbird vine for the playground park structures... just breaking leaves right now. The honeysuckle is doing well and beginning to flower nearby. It's been fun creating the playground area for the grands when they visit. I'm working on some artistic touches for the space. Not exactly sure what that means just yet, but it'll involve using what we have on hand. Thank goodness for Pinterest as I'm more of a copycat artist than I am one who is filled with creative inspiration. Hubs has more of that wonderful gift in him than I do.

Did I tell you about the eucalyptus trees we planted? They were beautiful! Then, we got that late northern frost! Under direction of my local nursery, I had to strip all the leaves from them using a ladder! I've yet to see any evidence of new leaves, but like I said, we've been under 60 degrees lately... I guess that false Spring caught me in its web this year!

Overall, we've made a lot of recent headway. The place has transformed over the past year and is much more conducive to our retirement needs. No more chickens to tend to and a nice walking pathway instead of clambering over those large rocks.

Thanks again for the kudos! Take good care of yourself, Linda, we should be out of the woods soon!

Gina

What wonderful plans you have! Just love it all!

My Eucalyptus trees have never been harmed by freezing temps. Never heard of stripping leaves like you were told to do.

My Star Nursery guys gave me the advise, Linda. They are the silver dollar gum trees with all leaves crispy and damaged. Maybe we have different species? Anyways, I took a closer look this morning during my weekly water rounds and I am seeing new leaves on one... so, yay, I think they are going to be okay.

Here's a shot of the playground park we put together. I'm trying to make dual purpose: a park for us and then do the switch around for when children are present.

Glad they are coming back and love all the photos. Happy colors.

That's great Gina!

Thanks, Kim!! It's a large lot for us, but we are making good headway.

Thanks, Kim!! It's a large lot for us, but we are making good headway.