The world is a wholly different place. Shopping is out, no restaurants or coffee shops. Friends are approached cautiously, always kept at a distance. During walks through the neighborhood, fellow walkers are eyed with suspicion. Though the world is quieter, the chatter in my mind has not subsided. The background color is muddy, the sound is discordant, there is an underlying anxiety that wells up occasionally but never disappears completely.
In this unfamiliar, and hopefully temporary, existence I try to find normality in my garden and our local nature park. And I am not alone. As most businesses wonder whether they will survive this disruption, nurseries flourish. Given this new enthusiasm for what has always been my passion, one might have thought my blog would flourish as well. Instead it has languished without a word for three months, a quarter of a year! And for this I apologize. (Please note that I am no longer posting or checking Facebook or Instagram, so please contact me through email, or comment below. Blog posts, however, are automatically shared on both.)
So I set out today to write something. My blog posts are usually inspired by questions asked by readers and other fellow gardeners. Today, however, I forced myself to sit down and write with absolutely nothing in mind. I write merely to reach out, to wave hello, to say, I’m still here. I write now to ask you, how does your garden grow? Are your garden tomatoes as delicious as mine? Is your irrigation system acting up again? Mine is. And what are you doing about those slugs?
I wish I could walk with you in the South Pasadena nature park. If you live nearby, I encourage you to go for a visit, but please wear a mask since the trail into the park is narrow. For those who can’t visit, please enjoy the photos below. Colors are muted but the birds, bees and lizards go about their business as usual.
Stay well, stay in touch.
Hi Barbara,
Glad to hear from you again! The nature park looks as it should as we enter August, muted, but flourishing if you really look. I am not sure how to post photos to a blog, so I will send some to your email. Let’s just say, CA fushias can be gorgeous! Stay safe,
Paul
Thanks, Paul. Looking forward to seeing your photos. Yes, CA fuchsias look good now. I have to remember to put more in the nature park. I am told by the person who tends the butterfly garden in the park that they are one of the only plants that the gophers don’t eat. Another plus!
Hi Barbara, I just reminded myself this am that I should check your website today for any new blog posts so your timing was great today. So far we’ve had a mild summer in Poway, CA. Over the past week or so my coffee berry plant has erupted in blossoms and I’m stunned at how fanatical the pollinators go over their blooms. It’s great to watch. Since June my family and I have visited the rancho Santa Ana botanical garden and Tree of Life nursery. So, we’ve been geeking out on California Native plants a lot lately at home and elsewhere. Take care and be safe!
Jason Daglio, Poway, CA
Thanks, Jason. I have not been to many gardens since this whole business started but your comment reminds me that I should get out there!
Reaching out to you, also. Missed your posts. PB Update: My peach tree is done for the season; the peaches were plentiful but not as sweet as last year bc I think I over watered. The espalier olive is finally thriving after several years and the Myer lemon is dripping with green fruit so the harvest will exceed years past. I planted a gifted desert willow seedling in a pot and it’s growing FAST! Looks like it could use an early prune to set its best tree shape; will send a pic for your review. A green heart to you.
So glad to hear about the olive! How many years ago did I see that plant??? My peaches were disappointing too, and I don’t think I over watered them. Maybe it was the late cool, wet weather. I asked Yvonne Savio (https://www.gardeninginla.net/) and she suggested many possibilities, of which one was the weather. I did use the peaches to make chutney in my Instant Pot (https://profusioncurry.com/peach-chutney-instantpot/), which was delicious. Can’t wait to hear (and see) the desert willow. It does grow fast!