April's Project: Backyard

Now that the front yard is under control, I've begun focusing my energy on the backyard. When we moved in it was a wasteland except for some singed grass and a few lavender plants here and there. The other week, I spent some time researching part sun/shade plants that are appropriate to Palo Alto's climate and came home with an assortment of:

Delphinium 'belladonna Casablanca', 'Galahad'

Pacific Giant Delphinium 'Blue Jay'

White Storm Petunias

Confection White Nemesia

Helleborus Orientalis 'White Lady Spotted'

Abutilon 'Tiger Eye'

Digitalis Purpurea (Foxglove): 'Apricot Beauty', 'Camelot Lavender', and 'Foxy'

Planted them between my spent daffodils around the patio. Hoping they will establish themselves and stay green at least throughout the summer. My new irrigation line should help.

In other news, I received three trees for my birthday: Black Jack Fig, Bears's Lime, and Santa Rosa Plum. All recommended in Sunset Western Garden for my area. I aged their terracotta pots with yogurt and expect fruit in the future.

The vegetable garden continues to grow although the slugs are doing their best to take over the place. I'm combatting them with Sluggo, beer traps, and old fashioned picking-them-off. I refuse to let my beans, kale, and joi choi go without a fight.

I planted red, yellow, and white onions today. A bit late for this zone, but the starters were a gift from an unidentified source and I have nothing to lose.

Snow peas producing like crazy, sweet peas in full bloom, and strawberries teasing me with baby berries.

It is about time for some more photos on here. I'll get to it soon, I promise.