In the Garden || Branching Out

The results? They are all thriving! Everything has exploded and not one plant seems to be suffering from lack of sun. The greens I started are exceptionally happy -- it's the perfect temperature and amount of sunlight for them down there. Even after all of our hot sunny weather, none of my lettuce plants have bolted! I'm so thrilled -- it opens up so much possibility. Elsie and I harvested our first head of lettuce yesterday -- we were so proud.

The heat loving herbs have a new home in the front of the house in a huge terracotta pot that's been empty for years. We live in attached townhouses where our front door is set back creating a little alcove that heats up like a green house in the morning sun. It's the perfect place for basil.

There is a small garden bed next to the front door as well that has existing plants that I am not allowed to remove, beds like this are maintained by the maintenance company. However I've found a little path of paving stones along the bed that were hidden by foliage and I've tucked two pots there to take advantage of the green house effect.

This year I decided to tidy up all of my succulent planters -- they are my babies and have been with me for over a decade. I've collected many of the plants from cuttings on hikes or from friends gardens or gardens where I've lived so each plants has a story and means something to me.

I took a little vacation to see my sister in Penticton. While I was away my sweet neighbor watered my plants and let me tell you -- I think they like her better than me because by the time I returned my planters were exploding with new growth! I don't think I've ever seen them looking so good!