Lots going on...

  It's the time of year when we are pulled in a million directions... so much to see and do while we have great weather!  Thank goodness for long daylight hours so that we can fit it all in (or at least try to).

One of our major summer projects is to build a verandah on the front of our house.  The previous owners didn't use the front entrance, so they decked the area and didn't worry about access.  We ripped off the (now rotting) deck which left us with an old set of concrete stairs that the deck was built over all those years ago...   The stairs function, but we'd love to have a spot to sit and enjoy our morning coffee again not to mention have better access from the driveway to the front door.  We're thinking of a natural stone walkway, but we'll see what materials we can source within our budget.  For now, we wait on our carpenter to help us get a good start on the deck.   I can't wait for that to be done after 4 long years of waiting because I have grand plans for a productive food forest out here but I can't plant it until the deck and walkway are in.

                          

I've been planting up a storm elsewhere on the property, though.  Finally, there's a bit of time for such things now that my course has ended :)   I started a lot of plants from seed this year plus received a generous lot of native plants from a friend.  

In the background below, I've grouped lavender and hyssop with a grape vine that my neighbour gave me.  Apparently, hyssop aids the growth and fruit production of grape vines, so I'm going to give it a go.  We struggle to keep lavender alive through our cold winters, but I'm told that this variety should make it if it's planted against the house on the south side (I think it's a Morden). Fingers crossed XO

This lovely peony is in bloom for the first time and was one of my fall bargains last year. I call it my "cheap and ugly rescue operation" because I scout nurseries at the very end of the season and buy up all the sad looking perennials, shrubs and trees at a mere FRACTION of the cost of retail.  This peony was a real find and I'm quite certain that I only paid a dollar or two for it.  i must get another photo of it because now that it's fully open, it has softened to the most delicate, creamy shade of pink.

The insects have been very busy this past month visiting all the flowers that are in bloom...

The garden is beautiful right now...  lush, full of colour and alive with the sound of pollinators!   I'm trying to drink it all in as our seasons are short (intense, but short).  

The food is coming in from the garden too - first lots of greens graced the table, and most recently, broccoli, baby carrots and herbs.  

My next sowing of greens is nearly ready to go in the ground...  it's been a good year for them with all the rain we've had.

I picked up some garlic scapes today at the farmer's market and whipped them up into a gorgeous pesto.  I can hardly wait to taste it on some pasta tomorrow.  YUM! 

Next post is my compost update...  WOW - great progress on that!!!