I decided while biting into one of our ripe apricots that eating these luscious morsels is like eating solid gold! You really need to get to your local farmers market to get them ripe, OR, grow you own. The season is short for apricots usually only about a month per variety. We have Katy and Gold Kiss. The Gold Kiss was planted in 1998 and still (we are happy to say) going strong. It is getting a bit long in the tooth, but so far Deane has had to take only the occasional dead wood from it in addition to an annual pruning.
Check out my booklet "What's A Chill Hour..." to learn how to choose stone-fruit trees, including apricots, for the desert garden. Available as print or PDF download - the download file is only $2.95.
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One of the fun things that happen in our garden, and since I am not a stickler for orderliness - is finding the random pleasant surprise that is always a treat. Deane is far more interested in keeping a park-like look, but he also enjoys the blazing display of edible flowers and other garden delights.
We have a small patch of summer lawn (bermuda) designed specifically to encompass the dry wells for our septic system should the plumber ever need access. While walking through the garden the other day, I noticed a yellow violet and figured the birds had dropped a flower on the lawn. NO, the plant was growing there - serendipity! It has also given me the idea to over-seed the lawn in the winter with pansies and violets this winter since we do not grow a winter lawn. I can't wait -- Deane is just rolling his eyes, but I think it will be beautiful! This technique is generally referred to as 'naturalizing' and is frequently used with spring flowering bulbs like tulips, by the time the winter/spring bloom is faded the summer grass starts to grow and you can mow down the leftover greenery (I, of course, hope the flowers will reseed for the next opportunity of serendipity).
Another 'happenstance' is the random visitors to our gardens. For several days we have both heard a whistle and the woo, woo of it made it sound like a person, maybe calling a pet. Well it was not human, or a regular visit to our gardens. Deane quietly snapped pictures of this beautiful Bob White Quail, named for their surprising "BoooB, Whittteee" call.
Today, May 15th, is the feast day of Saint Isidore Patron Saint of Farmers, Field Hands & Livestock
Have a wonderful Day in the Garden!
-- Catherine, The Herb Lady
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