Ever-bearing Berries

I hope these little guys are truly "ever-bearing" and give us lots of little sweet red jewels through the spring & summer. They show lots of promise...now I need to figure out a way to deter all of the critters so that we can be the ones to enjoy the little treats.

xo

Bailey

Calamondin Tree

Have you ever heard of a Calamondin?? I definitely hadn't but was immediately smitten with the gorgeous foliage and striped fruit when I found it at the nursery this past weekend. It called out to me and I had to take it and give it a home.

Fortunately, the fruit is still not ripe...so it gives me time to research recipes that use this tiny tart citrus.

Spanish Blue Sedum

I love moss...but since succulents grow so darn well here in California, I decided to plant "Spanish Blue Sedum" in between the slate stone path that meanders through my garden.

It will probably take a long time to fill in...but hopefully it's lovely and lush soon.

xo

Bailey

Garden Snapshot

I spent a lot of time in my little garden this past weekend. The weather was gorgeous (60-70 degrees and sunny) and perfect to spend outdoors.

I acquired some new plants (a couple of citrus trees, blueberry bushes, a quince tree and strawberries)! I was quite the busy bee. 

You can see that I've planted the little strawberry plants in the cinder block holes that surround what will be a raised bed--once I add dirt. You can also see my new dwarf Meyer Lemon tree on the left. It's in bloom and smells heavenly!

Here is the "overall" shot of the garden as of February 23, 2013. I will be regularly updating with this vantage point in order to record the growth throughout the seasons. You can see what it looked like when I started here. 

I am very pleased to report that my passionfruit vine is looking better and better everyday. Thank God I didn't send it to an early grave with the under-watering in the beginning. I'm now very diligent with watering all of my little plants.

Also, I have more sprouts!! I can't tell you how thrilled I was to see the Nasturiums pop up yesterday when I was watering. I've noticed though that a few of the tender leaves have been snapped off! I blame the birds...

If it continues to be a problem I'm going to have to figure out a solution. Maybe adding little cloches until they're bigger would help.

All of the other little seedlings (which I am now almost 100% certain are poppies), are doing well and going strong. They're still teensy tiny but growing in numbers daily--which is so cool.

xo

Bailey

Daffodils!

A few weeks ago...these little grassy onion like things started popping up in the front rose bed. Thinking they were weeds, I pulled a bit on them...but the buggers were really tight in the ground.

I thought...maybe they're wild onions and tried digging a few up. While they certainly looked like onions, they sure didn't smell like them so I knew that I had something entirely different on my hands.

Once I saw this little wisp of yellow...I was so excited! Daffodils!!!

I love that these little gems required no effort and were such a lovely surprise. Now, I just need to figure out how to keep care of them!

Also...a few little seedings (or weeds with my luck) started peeking through the dirt in the first area that I scattered seeds (on 2/5/13). There are so many that look the same that I'm very hopeful that they are indeed my Shirley poppies!

They're so teensy tiny, I circled them for you. Will keep you posted....

xo

Bailey

Oranges for Everyone!

The other day, our neighbor John recommended I lean over our fence and take some of the oranges from his tree (there are tons). I thanked him and told him I would take him up on the offer closer to the weekend, when I could actually do something with the bounty. Now come the question...what to do?

I'm thinking tea or possibly flavored salts.

It's so fun to see that the tree is already coming back to bloom while the ripe fruit awaits picking!

xo

Bailey

Spring Blooming Branches

All winter long, this little stick of a tree at the end of our driveway has been leafless and bare. Of course, I figured that come spring, it would once again get leaves but imagine my surprise this weekend when I found these gorgeous buds flowering! I can't wait for it to be in full bloom.

I'm not sure what type of tree this is since it was inherited with the house...it so lovely though!

Anyone have any idea what my blooms might be?

xo

Bailey