What's new in my garden?

Good intentions notwithstanding, I've been away from this garden communication for way too long. My New Year's resolution (Rosh Hashonah is around the corner) is to regularly share my garden escapades with the one or two people who remain interested (mom, husband...). Here are my topic promises for the next few days:

• Why did I pull out all the flowers from my raised beds?
• How did this year's Ratatouille garden grow?
• What's up with Beach Plum jam/jelly?
• Current greenhouse events
• My dreams of a rooftop garden...

Rufus and Zeke

If you've followed my blog you know that Ari had gotten into grapes, which are very toxic to dogs. Sadly, unrelated to the grapes, Ari passed away over a year ago due to complications from diabetes and liver disease. We had him for only 9 months, and had just begun to bond like crazy glue. It was devastating.

Soon after, we adopted 2-year-old Zeke (short for Ezekiel, the prophet who had visions of bones...get it?). Zeke is a big, sweet, brute who looks like he rides a motorcycle and has a "mom" tatoo on his arm. Not the brightest dog we've had - especially compared to Professor Rufus - but definitely the sweetest. Training didn't go so well, but he's making slow progress and now often actually listens to us.

We have come to realize that Rufus and Ari didn't actually like each other, but not so with Rufus and Zeke. When they aren't moving around they usually have some body part in contact with the other. Zeke's favorite place is right next to his brother, and Rufus licks Zeke everywhere (yuck). Brotherly love.

She's back...

It has been nearly two years without a post. I confess. I've had ambivalent feelings about my garden, so I've lost some of my previous joy. Garden chores...weeding...my raised beds filled to the brim with perennials that are interesting only for a short duration...competing priorities...etc., etc.

Last week I was on vacation. In the pouring rain, I pulled every last perennial out of my beds. Nothing left! Now I will have plenty of room for the wonderful annuals I start from seed every year for which, recently, I have had no room. I readied my greenhouse (OK, three weeks later than usual), started my seeds, and added a South garden raised bed in which to grow Ratatouille. I also figured out a design a slick anti-giant-rodent (a.k.a. DEER) fence post system that is certain to work on the South garden in which I plant my tomatoes, and now eggplant, peppers, and zucchini. Overall, I had a lot of fun.

Best of all, I have found a garden assistant. OK, it's actually a property management service, but they will come regularly to pull out weeds, and otherwise address the objectionable chores for which I have no time, no patience, and no muscle tone. Even better, it's a chic addition to my garden - Terrain at Styers! Imagine my delight when, the day after a delightful gentleman came to my house to sign me up for the service, the giant tree that had fallen at the beginning of the Winter was removed. I now have a single point of contact for lawn, irrigation, cleanup, and general stuff-that-needs-to-be-done, and what is promised actually happens without a million reminder phone calls. I arrived home yesterday to discover that my Spring clean-up complete with new mulch, trimming, and general tidiness had been completed in time for a big family event this weekend. What fun I had yesterday evening before dusk bringing out my garden follies, including Gertrude, and my last-year's mother's day present: a moss Labrador who stands guard at the garden gate. Zeke and Rufus were, as usual, great companions but no help at all.

I just received a delivery of soil for my new raised bed from trusty WH Milokowski. Fun! My seeds are growing in the greenhouse. My beds have been readied. An anti-deer plan is in place. Life is good. Look for more posts this year.