My garden - the year after the drought - weekly photo journal

Last year we had the hottest and driest summer in over 50 years. The drought was very hard on my gardens and very hard on me as a gardener. I was asked to be part of a local garden tour and, even though it was something I wanted to be part of since I started gardening, I declined. I lost a lot of plants, and so it caused me to lose interest in gardening - something I have loved my entire life. The weeds were the only thing unaffected by the drought and they took the opportunity to invade my gardens. Winter came and we had above average snowfall, then spring and LOTS of rain. My gardens started to come alive ...

Spring has sprung! ( photo / image / picture from Netty's Garden )

( photo / image / picture from Netty's Garden )

Spring has sprung!! ( photo / image / picture from Netty's Garden )
The spark started to come back to this gardener! I got busy weeding and edging and nurturing

( photo / image / picture from Netty's Garden )
And HARVESTING!

Some of my favorites had survived the drought and were awakening!
Here comes 'White Feather'

My beloved Lilac's

Camassia

Now the yellows are changing to blues, the garden is always changing

I can't wait to see what comes next

 

Hey there Netty--I was so sorry to learn how deeply the drought there had affected your garden. So very sad. Sad that your plants were affected, but to add insult to injury then you had to decline the invitation as well. Oh meid--just dreadful.

Well, from the pics shown today one can see that you and your garden are making a comeback. I am delighted for you. That fritillaria foto gave me goosebumps. It is really doing well for you.

The white Feather and Asparagus also looked particularly impressive.

 

My stars, those are magnificent gardens! Your boundless energy and persistence has surely paid off, and I do hope you get to give tours of your gardens this year.

 

Thanks for your kind words. This year is turning out to be the opposite of last year ... rain, rain and more rain!
I'm not going to complain

 

That was impressive Netty. very nice. So sad that you were so dismayed with gardening due to the drought. I was understand, we had the fire last year and Kevins parents were needing more care than normal and I was treading water just to get regular things done let alone doing markets.. I wasn't very enthusiastic either about the garden.

 

Everything looks great Netty! The White Feather is a new one for me, very interesting.
Southern California just eased out of a 6 yr. drought, and the weeds are taking over, at least they are green.

 

Netty your gardens are absolutely gorgeous! They (and you!) are clearly bouncing back. Did you really lose many perennials last summer, or did they just go dormant earlier than usual?

I ask because I thought for sure I had lost so many plants. We were in severe drought conditions here too. Yet, this spring just about everything has come back. I hope that is true for you.

 

I actually lost a few perennials Cayuga, as well as some having a near death experience. There are some that are growing again this year, but are tiny compared to how they were. I am just glad they are still growing. Funny how the weeds weren't affected

 

HI Netty. Your garden is bouncing back just beautifully. I always love seeing your gardens...so so sorry you had to pass on the garden tour. They are so much fun. You'll be ready for one soon....I have too many gardens to get ready for one. I am doing just one this year and not going to do any more for a few years.

 

We have had SO much rain, and the gardens are happy!
Here is my rhubarb

Weigela 'Minuet' and Oriental Poppies

Can't forget about my beloved Peonies!



Front Hosta bed is full this year

Wisteria and Peonies

Wisteria bloom 'Aunt Dee'

Clematis

Siberian Iris 'Caesars Brother'

Goatsbeard and Honeysuckle vine. Upon closer inspection, there is a Robins Nest on the trellis with one egg

Garden Loosestrife

 

Good grief Netty! The rhubarb could hide you in a war zone. Well done! Now maybe pie? Or 50 pies? I had a lovely piece of French silk rhubarb pie or some such name....it was good even when rhubarb would be your last pick off the menu. Maybe I could find you the recipe when I get back home.in the ER with my fil right now.

 

Netty--I am just swept-away with these new piccies. It all looks so ideal there.Your garden has made a great comeback.
Super-dooper.

 

Beautiful beautiful gardens Netty! It all looks so lush and well tended. I can't believe your rhubarb!!! Carolyn is so right it could hide you in a war zone!!

 

What is that White Feather ? Have never seen that before.