The weeds are whipping me.
I was going to take a little walk of my cottage garden and post it as a video, but I am too ashamed! (blush)
You know how you walk through the garden and your mind's eye sees the finished product and not what is actually there? My mind's eye was gracious enough to disappear last night. Holy smokes.
Let's start with the good.
The Walker's Low catmint explodes, then I whack it all off, then it explodes again. It's terribly pretty.
This was a pleasant surprise in the Mailbox Garden! Somebody had sent me some Gaillardia seeds (I have since lost the label) which I felt indebted to sow. I don't usually like the normal orange/red combo, but this one bloomed and is a lovely rusten-red. Yes, rusten-red is an imaginary word, but that's what is it.
I may or may not have stuck my tongue back out at this unknown daylily.
The bees were busy-busy-busy at the Butterfly Bush last night. The purple one is nearly ready to open, but the pink one has a few days to go yet. I haven't seen any butterflies at them yet, but plenty of bees and hummingbirds!
I know monarda can take over a garden quickly, but who can resist this striking color? It shot up at least a foot and a half taller than last year. I know it's going to outgrow its spot sooner than I think.
Overall, I'm very happy with the progress of the Vegetable Garden. I've decided that while I *love* the creativeness that the beds afford, I hate the fact that they are much harder to weed. The half that is Old School Rows is much easier to maintain.
Now for the bad:
Actually, I consider this one of the "good" weeds because I can pull it out with barely a tug. I'm not even going to honor the nasty roots-to-China weeds with the dignity of a photo.
Weeding by Suffocation: the Lazy Gardener's Handbook.
I spy...grass infested Hollyhocks functioning as a nightclub for slugs and aphids. Drat.
The shasta daisies are hitting the trashcan after they flower. I've had them for four years, and they haven't improved. I keep giving them the benefit of the doubt that next year they'll look better... but they have used up all of their chances.
Let's not forget the downright ugly:
And the moral of the story? Just like people, radishes should wear sunscreen.
Thanks to the Patient Gardener for hosting this humbling End of the Month View meme!
Hanni, what gorgeous photos! Your blooms are all looking so happy and carefree...love it! I particularly love the Monarda, never seen that before. But poor little radish =(
ReplyDeleteLOL! I cannot grow radishes for some insane reason so I had to laugh at your sunburned one. I love the shot of the bee on your Butterfly bush and your Monarda is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYour monarda picture is beautiful! But, I've never seen a radish do that! I think the good definitely outweighs the bad in your garden. You can put your rose colored glasses back on. Good luck on that weed suffocation!
ReplyDeleteI have also used the smother technique for weed control. I love the rain, but then come the weeds...it is a Catch-22.
ReplyDeleteYour radish looks like modern art. :o) It's not possible for monarda to outgrow its spot. It's too wonderful! Just give it more room! I've smothered weeds with newspaper before. It's a great mulch.
ReplyDeleteHanni, you have some really wonderful photographs. I especially like the lighting in the Gaillardia.
ReplyDeleteToo funny! Actually the plants seem to be doing pretty well -- even the Shasta Daisies!
ReplyDeleteThe monarda is beautiful. Wish it was more drought tolerant so I could grow it in Santa Fe.
ReplyDeleteI must tell you that the photo of your monarda is so tranquil. You should frame it. Honestly. My shasta daisy's have budded but not bloomed yet. They are over 4 ft tall. I read some where that if you pinch them in spring that will reduce the gangly effect. Haven't tried this yet, but likely will next year. Happy July!
ReplyDeleteI don't think the shasta daisies look that bad ... but I have some coreopsis that I can't wait to pull out this fall after four years of chances ... That is some ugly radish! Weeds or no, you have a great vegetable garden ...
ReplyDeleteStunning Monarda - and thank you for reminding me that I really need to hack back my own nepeta, once I have recovered from my weekend away. Sorry about the slugs and weeds - TNG has been doing a sterling job of rescuing my allotment from being completely buried in them, though in the process we have discovered that radishes produce lovely flowers if left alone long enough...
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