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Summertime, and the Livin Ain't Easy

By
Home Inspector with Helm Home Inspections

Poppies

As the summer progresses, the garden work continues.  It gets harder as the days get hot, but fortunately in this wonderful maritime northwest climate, heat spells are very short.  The temp got up to 95 on Wednesday (near record high for Bellingham Washington) but is already back to the mid seventies (more normal Bellingham Washington summer temperature).  Every day the gardens change.  Here are a few shots from yesterday.

Hosta in bloom

Rosa Mutabilis

This is one of my favorite roses.  It is called Rosa Mutabilis.  The buds start out one color and gradually go through a series of color changes till the flower is spent.  This particular plant was huge in the spring.  My wife said it was taking up too much space, so she cut it back to the ground.  I have to admit that she was right, and the plant is thriving.

Crocosmia Lucifer

Crocosmia Lucifer.  The color is HOT!

vegetables

The vegetable garden progresses.  As you can see in the potato beds, another thing we have to deal with here is horsetail (equisetum).  It is prehistoric and there is no known way to get rid of it.

Herb bed

Some annual herbs.  Everything in this bed including the Nasturtiums is edible (well maybe not the horsetail sneaking up on the right).

 

Posted by

David Helm, Inspector, Helm Home  Inspections Bellingham, Washington  Licensed Home  Inspector #272                                                       WSDA  Licensed Structural Pest Inspector  #69844              http://www.helmhomeinspections.com           HelmHomeInspections@yahoo.com                                                                               

Ron Hackett
Coldwell Banker Heart of the Hills - Kerrville, TX
CRS,GRI,ABR,SRES,e-Pro
WOW nice garden   sometimes its easier in your climate here in texas in some areas it can get pretty hot not a good environment for certain veggies
Jul 15, 2007 02:33 AM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services
I am so impressed -- what a lovely garden.  I just don't have the time right now to tend to a beautiful garden like yours.  Thanks for sharing those pictures -- it was inspiring -- maybe I can get to planting a few more things and enjoy all the natural beauty.
Jul 15, 2007 03:24 AM
David Helm
Helm Home Inspections - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham, Wa. Licensed Home Insp

Thanks for stopping by.  Ron, I know what you mean.  I have a daughter, son-in-law and grandson in Texas.  Visited them in May and it was already 104 degrees out.  I don't know how you all stand it.

Joan, It does take some work, but we love it and do it as necessary.  The rewards are worth it.  It is just my wife and myself, 1.5 acres, both working full time.  We do a little here, a little there, making use of the time we do have.  It's like anything else.  If you really want it, you find the time.

Jul 15, 2007 04:23 AM
Carl Winters
Canyon Lake, TX

Hello David - How in the world can you maintain that beautiful flower and vegetable garden. Ron is right, he's in Kerrville and I'm at Canyon Lake and it gets pretty hot. Here it is July 16th and my tomatoes have about played out. Fortunately, it has not been as hot this season since we have had so much rain and cloud cover. This has helped to keep the temperature down to mid 90's, but expect to see at 100 or better in August.

Thanks for the nice pictures. You need to become a professional photographer when you start your next career. 

Jul 16, 2007 12:45 PM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector
No wonder you knew so much about opium poppies, when you replied to my post the other day. Those red ones with the pods look like they have some street value.
Jul 16, 2007 05:05 PM
Stacey Champion
Champion Indoor Environmental Services, LLC/Champion Indoors, LLC - Phoenix, AZ

What an AWESOME garden!!!!

 

(Ironically, I am typing in "appleberry" to leave this comment!)

Jul 27, 2007 07:53 AM
Art Lordbock
Quality Roof Systems - Brainerd, MN
Brainerd, MN Roofing Company
orchids, roses and pansies all make good eating.
Jul 27, 2007 08:27 AM
David Helm
Helm Home Inspections - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham, Wa. Licensed Home Insp

Thanks Stacey.  I'll be posting some more pictures later this week.  Gardens keep changing as the summer progresses.

Art, you are right, and there are many more edible flowers too.  Try sauteing daylilly bids in olive oil with a little tamari.

Jul 30, 2007 05:45 AM
Billnulls Blog Florida Realty Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
AHWD
I absolutely LOVE your garden!!!
Aug 18, 2007 03:26 PM