My Garden Diary

Did some more weeding in the parkway.

Started thinning the immature peaches on my peach tree. The theory (which seems correct) is that the remaining peaches will grow larger without having to compete with so many other peaches for the tree's resources. However, the pits do not get any larger. Thus, judicious thinning can actually result in more usable fruit.

For some reason, it seems that only one 'George Taber' azalea bloomed this spring. The three other plants of this variety in the camellia bed seem to be growing well, but they have no flower buds.

A week ago, I bought some nasturtium seeds. The very next day, while looking out the second-floor window of my study, I saw a spot of bright orange on My Hill. Yep! It was a nasturtium flower (Tropaeolum majus). Since then, I've seen several seedlings, all near the 'Perlette' grape in the lower-left corning of My Hill. These are all from the few nasturtiums that grew last year. Nevertheless, I planted a packet of nasturtium seeds today, making two zigzag lines across the left side of My Hill, one about half-way up and the other about a quarter of the way up. I have another packet of seeds to plant on the right side of My Hill, but I was too tired from climbing around on the slope to do that side today.

Pulled another bucket of weeds from the parkway in front.

Dragged the hose onto the bottom of My Hill to give the 'Black Monukka' grape a soaking. It's not growing as vigorously as the other two grapes. Later, I moved the hose to give the lawn on the north side of The Tree a soaking and then moved it again to soak the artichoke.

While on My Hill, I cleared out soil and plant debris from the west (left) branch of the cross-hill V ditch. I still have to do the east (right) branch, but I was exhausted and put that off for some other day. While working in the V ditch, I spotted some more 'Red Apple' iceplant growing on the slope. I pulled out a large clump of this very invasive plant.

Pulled some more weeds in front. I'm not following a regular pattern of weed-pulling. Instead, I work where the weeds seem to be the thickest.

Trimmed the edge of the rose bed in back, along the small brick patio and along the walkway that separates the rose and circular beds.

Pulled a large bucket full of weeds from the parkway in front.

Rather than get chilled in the garden yesterday, I went to one of my favorite nurseries and bought wax-leaf begonias, herbs, and nasturtium seeds.

Today, it was 10° warmer. I hoed weeds on the east side of the house, near my compost pile. Then I planted zinnia seeds in the east bed.

Potted the herbs I bought yesterday: basil (Ocimum basilicum), dill (Anethum graveolens), and sage (Salvia officinalis). Basil and dill are annuals and must be replanted every year. Sage is supposed to be perennial, but mine did not survive the winter. I suspect it got too wet, so I added extra sand to the potting mix.

When I went to turn on the hose to water the newly potted herbs, I accidentally bumped the back of my left hand against a handle on the gas barbecue, removing a patch of skin. I bled and had to clean the wound, ending my gardening efforts for today. Perhaps I'll plant the begonias and nasturtiums tomorrow.

Roots from the nephthytis (Syngonium podophyllum) cuttings (26 Feb) started growing out of the holes in the bottom of their pot. I discarded the parent plant and moved the cuttings into the emptied larger pot. First, however, I had to chip away a serious build-up of minerals around the lip of the pot.

Fed the Camellia sasanqua in the rose and east beds. The Camellia japonica and azaleas will have to wait until they finish blooming.

Stirred the compost pile. I think it will be ready for sifting in about a month.

Weeded the brick panel in front where utility junctions are between the sidewalk and street.

Trimmed the dwarf coyote bush (Baccharis pilularis) from the public sidewalk. Now that I can see the edge of the sidewalk I realize how far the rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) — under which the coyote bush grows — encroaches over the sidewalk. To clear the sidewalk, I would have to remove two major limbs of the rosemary. I hope no one complains to the County until those branches send out shoots near their bases (which might never happen).

Trimmed the edges of the teardrop bed and weeded the adjacent walkway. I gave the cuphia (C. hyssopifolia) a light pruning, removing lower branches and heading some of the upper branches. I also sheared the pink clover (Persicaria capitata).

Climbed My Hill to remove the 'Red Apple' iceplant that I pulled earlier (18 Mar). Although it had dried somewhat, there were new flowers on the plants. While at the top of My Hill, I tied some new shoots of the 'Flame' grape to the supporting twine. Closer to the bottom of My Hill, I discovered that the 'Black Monukka' grape now has shoots; it's not dead after all (also 18 Mar).

Backed out the screws holding the bracket to The Tree for wind chimes. I have to do this 2-3 times a year as The Tree grows.

Many new shoots on the star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides). It might cover its trellis this year.

Started the removal of the myrtle next to the tangelo's raised bed (31 Mar). I cut it down to less than a foot high. I will now watch to see if the adjacent myrtle will spread to partially fill the empty space. If it doesn't look right, the stubs of the cut myrtle will resprout and recover.

Cleaned the edge of the patio along the west bed and lawn. Besides sweeping leaves and other debris, this also involved trimming the red fescue (Festuca rubra) lawn. My old grass shears just would not cut. I remembered that someone gave me a pair of shears as a gift. I tried them, and they work quite well. The old ones are in the trash. I finished by sweeping the entire patio.

Started pruning the 'Pink Pagoda' camellia (C. japonica), which has finished flowering. This is the only one that will be pruned this year since it is the only one that has grown higher than the sill of the adjacent dining room window.

I was exhausted when I was done for the day. But looking back, it seemed as if I only accomplished some puttering and no major task.

I also fed the Australian tea tree (Leptospermum laevigatum) in the teardrop bed, only omitting the zinc sulfate.

The southern-most dwarf myrtle (Myrtus communis 'Compacta') in the west bed keeps crowding the dwarf tangelo in the adjacent raised bed. I am constantly trimming the myrtle. I think I will remove it. The next myrtle should grow wide enough to fill in much of the gap.

The artichoke that was knocked over in the wind storm (25 Mar) is recovering. It has not become straight, but it's growth is now bending upright from a nearly horizontal stalk.

As usual after heavy pruning of an evergreen bush, I fed the pineapple guava, using ammonium sulfate.

Fed the roses — front and back — with ammonium sulfate.

At the base of My Hill, I cleaned mud out of the catch box and the down-slope V-ditch that feeds into the box. I think most of this is from dirt loosened when I had weeds cleared from My Hill (11 Mar). I also found leaves had gone through the slots in the grate over the drain and blocked the entry to the drain pipe. Fortunately, I merely had to lift the grate to clear the leaves.

Finished pruning the pineapple guava (19 Mar). The center is now quite open and all broken branches have been removed. The bush is quite tall now. The next time I prune it (perhaps in two years), I will reduce the height.

Trimmed both the dwarf ivy (Hedera helix 'Hahn's') and pink clover where they meet by the liquidambar tree (L. styraciflua) to create a clear boundary between the two ground covers.

Started pruning the pineapple guava (Feijoa sellowiana) in back. I should have done this last spring, but I wanted to let it recover from the beating it took while My Hill was repaired. That beating left a number of broken branches, which I removed. I opened the center, removing crossing and inward-pointing branches. I still have some pruning left to do, which I want to complete before flower buds swell.

While on My Hill, I strung fresh twine for the grape vines to climb. The 'Perlette' and 'Flame' have good, strong shoots. The 'Black Monukka' has no shoots but does have some buds; if it fails, I'll plant a new one next winter when bare-root grapes are available.

On My Hill, I found two large patches of 'Red Apple' iceplant (Aptenia cordifolia). These are remnants of plants that had been growing in the back yard of an uphill neighbor. While some people plant 'Red Apple' as a desirable ground cover, I consider it to be a highly invasive weed that could eventually crowd out the plants I do want on My Hill. I pulled out all I could find; but some roots remained, which I fear might resprout. I dumped the iceplant in the cross-hill V-ditch; I'll have to go back after it dries and remove it. I also found two thistles, which I would not touch because of the long, sharp spines on their leaves and stems.

Cleo is awake, a month early. That means I can't leave the gate or side door to the garage open while gardening.

Fed the flat area in the back yard. Using an off-brand lawn fertilizer (27-4-6), I avoided the roses (which get a special feeding once a month) and the camellias and azaleas (which will be given a milder fertilizer when they are all through blooming).

I also did a special feeding for the dwarf citrus and gardenia (G. jasminoides 'Veitchii'), using a commercial citrus fertilizer, each plant receiving a supplement of two pinches of zinc sulfate. And I fed the potted herbs and other potted plants, each with a pinch of ammonium sulfate.

Now that I won't be feeding weeds, I still have to feed My Hill. I delaying that job because I really hate to climb it.

Trimmed the pink clover (Persicaria capitata) along the edges of both the public sidewalk and the brick walkway to the front door. I also gave the mailbox a "haircut", trimming the dwarf English ivy (Hedera helix 'Hahn's').

Finally finished spreading gypsum in the garden by broadcasting it on the back lawn. This took almost another 50 pounds of gypsum.

All three grapes that were planted after My Hill was repaired are still alive. I had to climb My Hill to check since they are still small plants.

Cut back the Artimesia 'Powis Castle'. Older leaves on the branches had died and fallen off, leaving an unkempt appearance. New shoots were already sprouting near the bases of the plants. Soon they will again be gray mounds.