Another thing that happened to me is that there was one spot by my wisteria where several different plants in a row died (or almost died before transplanting). I couldn't figure it out. Then one day after a heavy rain I observed the water run-off patterns in my yard and realized that that spot was in the water run-off zone. So now I use those water run-off paths as foot paths for myself through the garden.

Other times I've found huge stones or leftover roots from long-gone trees obstructing root growth. Once I found a mess of fungus that was causing the plant to sicken.

Well, let us know what you find under that plant!

The dangers of previewing. I just posted a whole thing, previewed, and forgot to submit the post.

Starting over!

That's very neat, Catmint, about your observing the water runoff pathways! I admire that degree of observational attention. IMO that's a big part of what makes gardens work best.

I did dig up the phlox, and found some kind of fungus, I believe. I posted about it, with pictures, here: http://garden.org/thread/view_...

And while I had the camera out, I took a couple of prettier pictures, before the rain got too heavy (which I hope will be a soaker!)

Moth on the rosemary

Dew on a web

Nice photos Kyla! That's a nice looking moth. I love it when the dew shows on plants.

I think I've seen that kind of fungus in my own soil at times! Hope you're able to get an ID on it.

Please don't think I am ignoring you all, I just have nothing to post of interest since my garden plants are over and here Fall means we plant mums in containers soon. I do enjoy your pictures so keep them coming. I will just LURK and LOOK.

Oh @JB would love to get your advice on potting up plants on the thread I started for preparing houseplants for winter!

I wondered where everyone went!

Mums in containers is it, huh?

I did take some other pics this morning, one of a weed I hope to ID in a little while:



And this is from yesterday, I need to crop it some but it's kind of pretty:

Ooh what a pretty morning glory!

That weed--i have noticed it too!

Whoa, what a morning already!

Looks like the thing wrong with my phlox is southern blight. And I believe I can successfully treat it with compost, though there may be more events before the soil gets sufficiently upgraded.

And. Gardeners Supply once again has excellent customer service. I called and arranged to return the wellies for an account credit since their supplies are depleted in the size and color I want. I also got them to send me a prepaid return label. I said, "So, I have to pay shipping both ways?" and she said, well, since they were the wrong size, just this once.... We'll send you a label.

Southern blight? Oh no! What do you need to do for that?

It does sound quite dire, doesn't it? But I think the solution is the same solution I usually end up with, which is to keep working away at bringing the soil into healthy balance. Also, I'm going to get some Neem oil and use that, which should help.

Some photos from yesterday and today!

Shadelovers:
Coleus 'Strawberry Drop'
Caladium 'FM Joyner'
Rex Begonia 'Red Tango'



Petunias:
Wave Pink
Purple Vein Ray



Sunlovers:
Rudbeckia fulgida var. speciosa 'Viette's Little Suzy'
Celosia spicata 'Flamingo Feather Purple'
Glandularia canadensis 'Homestead Carpet Red'



And more sunlovers:
Sedum 'Coral Carpet' (waiting for this one to get more color)
Hardy Marjoram (Origanum x majoricum)



Last but not least, this is a photo of my Great Blue Lobelia which looks quite lovely in person but for some reason the camera isn't capturing the color at all. Any suggestions for how to capture the color better?

Beautiful pictures!

For the color thing, I notice it is more intense in the bottom of the photo where the shade is deepest. Try photographing it at the end of day, just before dusk but after the light is somewhat dimmed? I found capturing the color on those little brachyscome flowers was only possible then -- other times of day the light just washed the color right out.

I'll have to give that a try--thanks, Kyla! I also have had trouble photographing my Brachyscome 'Zephyr Blue' flowers--the lovely lavender blossoms always look washed out and grayish in the photo.

Sorry I have been MIA for over a week. I went on a business trip and then a mini-vacation. I'll try to post some pictures soon but I'm still trying to catch up from being away for so long. I have a TON of pictures to sort through!

Many of my plants are suffering from lasting effects of lack of water last week, especially the elephant ears in containers. The front yard plants are still suffering because they didn't get watered last night either. They were still droopy this morning, no good. I'm a bad plant mommy right now.

Your gardens are looking great, Catmint and Kyla! I have to get out there and take some more for you guys. In the meantime, please keep posting pics!

Glad to have you back Typ! I know it's been such a dry summer hasn't it? Look forward to seeing photos!

Hi there Typ. Looking forward to seeing your pictures. And owie about the watering, but I'm sure you'll catch up. When I lived in Weed CA which is high desert (though on the low end of the scale for that) I literally had to water every plant every single day without fail or they about croaked. Of course I had no watering system, just me and a hose and a watering can type operation. Couple times I got sick and couldn't get out there and it was bad. I never missed more than a day at a time though.

Catmint has it been dry all over this region? I was thinking it was more local than that. We have had rain forecast for all this week but so far it's a no show. Yesterday we got maybe an eighth inch all day. Today, even with a 90% chance of rain forecaste, it's only partly cloudy so far.



My pictures this morning are more for the bugs thread and the challenges thread. No pretties (well the bug one is kinda nice but not because of the garden view especially.)

Not sure about the region as a whole but it's been dry here--although we did have some rain last week thank goodness!

Kyla, there was actually a dry deserty town named 'Weed' in California? Hope you got some rain! 90% is usually a good bet!

Catmint, yes, there is a town in Siskiyou County named Weed. It was actually named for the founder of the town who also founded a lumbermill there, which has since gone out of business. I think his first name was Isaac.

There are many college kids who like to get their picture taken next to the highway sign that says Weed.

I loved living there for the name alone. As a gardener, of course.



No, we have not had any rain, but it is still forecast for tonight. Fingers crossed! Else there will have to be another day of moving the sprinkler around.

okay, I tried taking a photo of the Great Blue Lobelia early this morning when it was still fairly shady. You can see the color a little better now!


Impatiens 'Appleblossom' is doing well.


Honeysuckle and Dogwood both getting their fall berries


I think I found some Monarch eggs on my tropical milkweed!