New Additions

Every year, I like to add at least a couple new flowering plants to our garden assortment. Earlier this spring, I found a new variety of coneflower at my favorite garden center. I purchased two "Cheyenne Spirit" Coneflowers. Neither was in bloom at the time, so I didn't know which color my new coneflowers would turn out to be. Luckily, I got one of each ~ a bright orange and a creamy yellow.

PS Photos

Late this afternoon, we found a male box turtle with bright red eyes … a Dad, perhaps :)

Flowers for Father's Day

Wishing a very happy day to all the Dads out there!!!

Lilies and Bee Balm flowers are the tour de force in our gardens today!!!

Flowers & Veggies

The Garden Beds

Marigolds, zinnias, and sunflower

California Wonder Peppers

Cherry Tomato

Every year, my gardens are a little different. This spring, I discovered I had volunteer marigolds and sunflowers growing from last year's garden. Instead of planting a full garden of zinnias, as I have in years passed, I planted zinnia seeds among the flowers that were already sprouting. So this year, it will be a combination flower garden. Hopefully, it will please our bees, butterflies, and birds! The peppers, tomato, peas, and scallions I planted are all coming along. I planted the scallions and peas from seed. I kept a border of wild strawberry around the veggies, and, so far, the rabbits have left the veggies alone. That may change in the coming days, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed :)

Teeny Tiny

The teeny flowers of pink baby's breath are filling the planter box

A tiny praying mantis nymph enlarged for you to see

First of the Season

Today was a very exciting day. On the first day of June, we saw our first box turtle of the season!!! This turtle was not too shy and didn't mind pausing for me to take a few photos. Then, she was on her way through our lawn of clover.