If you grow it, they will come

If you grow it, they will come

Plant something to draw the bugs away from your veggies.  These are monarchs eating Rue.  I do not know what Rue is really used for.  I just bought it at a flea market on a whim.  I’m so glad I did.  Feed the monarchs!

Beautiful purple passionflower vine

Beautiful purple passionflower vine

We already have a purple passionflower vine given to us by a friend, but when we saw this one growing at our local garden center, we were amazed by it’s beauty.  They did not have any for sale, but they let us take a couple of cuttings.  So cool!  Out of three cuttings, one is still thriving 4 weeks later.  Cannot wait to see this blooming on our fence.

 

Pulled the last of the peppers

Pulled the last of the peppers

With limited space and to prepare for the winter garden, I pulled out the pepper plants.  Will give two bags away and freeze one bag to use in soups and beans.  Time to plant broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, kale, lettuce and spinach.  Yum!

More September blooms

More September blooms

Mistflower attracting butterflies.  Mexican oregano attracts hummingbirds.  Not sure what the Thryallis feeds.  It blooms beautifully and all spring and summer, but never see a bee, butterfly or any bug on it… Tiny garlic and onion chives are blooming.

 

Critters

Critters

Little snake hiding in my pots.  Still getting used to this aspect of gardening.  Let it live.  =)

Little frog in the bucket we use to catch water that drips from the faucet.  Hope he is not dinner for the snake!

I think this is the best part of gardening without pesticides.  Love seeing salamanders, lizards, toads, frogs, birds, and even snakes.  But it is a circle of life.  When we have tons of tadpoles, something comes along and eats them at night.  Poor little fellers.

What’s blooming in September?

What’s blooming in September?

Lots of rain this year makes for big plants.  I’ve been trimming all year so that we can continue to use our sidewalk.  Many plants did not die back like this overgrown Thyrallis!  You can barely see the house.  Love the rain though…

 

What’s blooming in May

What’s blooming in May

Whats blooming?  Red creeping rose, star jasmine, copper canyon daisy, and mealy blue sage.  Note: mealy blue sage grows easily from seed and is very tolerant of alkaline soils.