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Highlights of my botanic garden visit
Last week I visited South Coast Botanic Garden, about 6 miles from my home. My intent was to see the disco rollerskating set-up before that event closed but of course I also checked out other parts of...
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In a Vase on Monday: My timing was a little off
My dahlias are gradually making progress, displaying more buds and a few more blooms, but it's a toss-up as to whether the blooms will beat out the progression of mildewed foliage, which is already...
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There's only so much space
It's still too hot to get any major projects done in the garden and too early to go ahead with replanting areas that need an overhaul. However, I've taken advantage of some cooler days here and there...
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Focusing on succulents
I shifted my focus to succulents this week. Succulents can generally take the hot, dry conditions of late summer in stride without going into transplant shock so I don't feel guilty buying them. With...
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In a Vase on Monday: A few more dahlias
The dahlias are oh so slowly making an appearance. There are more buds each week, although the plants still haven't delivered an overwhelming number of blooms and, at this point in the season, it's...
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Bloom Day - September 2021
It's hard for me to get excited about my garden in late summer, especially this year when the garden never got the boost normally provided by our winter rainy season. The downside of sandy,...
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Foliage Follow-up - September 2021
Although we haven't had any truly horrific heatwaves this summer, the very dry conditions have been hard on my garden. There are several areas in serious need of rehabilitation. When the temperatures...
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In a Vase on Monday: It's all about the dahlias
At last, the dahlias seem to be getting in gear. My zinnias are already giving in to mildew and I expect that the dahlias may soon follow so there's little reason not to grow for broke and cut nearly...
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Wednesday Vignette: The root of the problem
While working on a project in the front garden, I found I needed my shovel, which I'd left in the back garden. On the fly, I decided to take a moment to dig up the mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin)...
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Cleaning Up: One step at a time
In coastal Southern California, fall is the best time to refresh the garden. As we're still vacillating between summer and fall weather, it's too early to do any extensive planting but I've taken...
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In a Vase on Monday: Clamoring for attention
After waiting seemingly forever for dahlia and zinnia blooms, I now have several of each blooming at the same time in my cutting garden, all demanding attention. With our weather subject to sharp...
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Wednesday Vignette: Flying in and sailing out
Our backyard views have been interesting of late.  Although I haven't filled my bird feeders since last winter when warnings were issued about salmonella outbreaks spread via feeders among songbirds,...
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This week's projects
This week, while temperatures were still on the cooler side, I tackled a project I've been dreading for a long time. I dug up two plants in one of my back garden borders, the native California asters...
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In a Vase on Monday: Mixing things up
My dahlias and zinnias are pushing out blooms at a faster pace now with the end of their season looming. It's been very hot again since last Thursday so I cut most of what was looking presentable on...
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Wednesday Vignette: Surprises (of all kinds)
I was presented with several surprises this week.In the good category, we got rain! It wasn't much, just 0.09/inch in total, but it was enough to wash the dust from leaves, freshen the air, and fill...
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Wide Shots - October 2021
We got our first tiny dribble of rain on Monday. There's another chance of rain early this morning, although it's not expected to amount to much either. But something is better than nothing! My...
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In a Vase On Monday: A Dahliapalooza
As our temperatures cooled, the dahlias in my cutting garden finally hit their stride. A lot of them ended up in vases this week.To celebrate the arrival of my first Dahlia 'Magic Moment' bloom, my...
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Wednesday Vignette: Rats!
In one of the driest years I can remember, the persimmon and guava trees in my garden have produced more fruit than I've ever seen before. What's up with that?! I can't walk through my north side...
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Bloom Day - October 2021
I can't believe it's already mid-October! Although we've had some stretches of cooler temperatures, it still feels a lot like summer much of the time. In fact, we're expecting high temperatures...
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In a Vase On Monday: The dahlias keep on coming
The latest flowers produced by Dahlia 'Break Out' may be getting smaller and the plant's foliage may be mildewed but I have to give it credit for going all out on floral production last week, despite...
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