Where Did Summer Go?

Are we getting older, or is time going faster? Seems like we just finished planting annuals and tomato plants and it's already time to start planning the closing of the garden beds for winter.

We've had another strange growing season--weather-wise, at least. We had the wettest spring on record with 24.78 inches between March 1 & May 31, then the heat came with over 20 days of 90 degrees or greater (with a couple 100 degree days!) and now we are basking in daytime temperatures in the low- to mid- 70s.
Here are a few photos of the gardens this summer:

Chard 'Bright Lights' ready to be harvested to add to soup for
our hard working volunteers.


We use Zinnias for several of our on-going programs--perfect
for making table arrangements by Active Day Gardeners,
Highlands High School Garden Club, and kid's summer programs.



This is an antique wagon we have under a row of Pear 'Cleveland Select'.
It is planted with Impatiens, Caladium, Swedish Ivy, and Asparagus Fern.

How Hot Is It?

We just completed our 17th day with temperatures at or above 90 degrees! It tied a record from 1901. So it's REALLY hot and parts of the garden have suffered. The beds with irrigation are flourishing, but those without have suffered . The large containers and some of the vegetable beds are not producing like normal. Everyone (including us) has reported poor tomato performance.

The good news is: we've had some really fun, informative programs in the gardens this summer! We had a 3-day Kid's Garden Camp, a 4- session Kid's Garden Club, and a Master Gardener Summer Day Camp.

Our Fridays in the Garden volunteers have been real troopers in the heat. They continue to work weekly, regardless of heat index or temperature. They are, truly, the backbone of our gardens!

Here are some photos taken of the gardens this morning---after a much-needed rain:


The walkway into the gardens from the front parking lot.


The caladium bed ---5 different cultivars!


Pennisetum pupureum 'Vertigo' ,
Coleus 'Dipt in Wine' ,
Lantana 'Luscious Lemonade'

Happy Gardening!

Summer Heat. . . .Already

Our volunteers stretching before starting a morning of planting ; led by Kate Vaught, Agent for Family and Consumer Science.

Where did Spring go? We've had a week of temperatures of 90 degrees and above with no end in sight. Another growing season of unusual weather! We are 13 inches above normal in rainfall and now are facing days of hot, humid weather with no forecast of rain in the near future . We turned on our irrigation system late last week as we had newly planted flowers that were suffering from lack of water.

We had a "planting blitz" last week! We were very late (because of all the rain!) getting our annual flowers planted, so we ask our wonderful volunteers to come daily to plant the beds. . . .and plant they did! All the display beds are now planted, fertilized, and watered in. Many THANKS to all who came out in the heat and humidity to get the beds done! We couldn't do it without you! Great job! Photos will follow in the next couple weeks to showcase their hard work.

Beauty---Even in the Rain!

The shade garden is lovely this year---even in the rain!
The Tree Peonies are almost finished blooming, but were, once again, spectacular. They are an often overlooked perennial, but are truly worth the expense.
This Japanese Maple has been in the gardens since 2001, in the same pot, growing in the same location. Every Fall we consider removing it/moving it and, then, come Spring, it produces such beautiful color we change our minds! It's in exactly the right spot! It may get re-potted this year for it's own good.
We have several beds of lettuce in the vegetable area. We use it, weekly, for lunch for our Fridays in the Garden volunteers, our Active Day Gardeners and the Highlands High School Gardeners. Even lettuce tastes better fresh from the garden!

Rain, Rain Go Away!

This is how our rose bed looks right now! We have had record rainfall over the past few weeks, near record high temperatures last week and nights in the 40s this week---you know what they say about this area, stick around for an hour and the weather will change!

Fridays in the Garden -- No Fooling!

Friday, April 1st was our first Fridays in the Garden of the 2011 growing season. It started off cold and cloudy, but before we were finished, the sun came out and warmed us up! Five hardy souls ventured into the garden and MUCH was accomplished! The raised bed area was raked and cut back and cleaned up. What a difference 2 hours of work makes!











We are anxious to get in the garden regularly. We have several new beds to plant . A garden is ever changing and we must change with it.

Is It Spring Yet?

Well, the calendar says it's Spring, but the air outside is still not sure! We were spoiled with a week of beautiful sunny warm weather, then the weekend came and brought with it snow, wind and cold temperatures. Today's high will only get to 40 degrees and snow is predicted for tonight. BUT plants are still coming alive from their long winter's nap.








Tree Peonies leafing out .










Our busy season is getting started; full of classes, garden work, school programs and FUN!!
Check back often for updates and photos (I promise!)