The photos show mostly garden. The yard itself is separate .

Yesterday, the flowers opened (?) on three of the Sunflowers. Yippeeeeee.

I took more pictures. Each year that I've had a garden I document its stages with photos and make a garden scrapbook at the end of the season.

I could spend the entire day in it, if the temps. weren't triple digit and the sky wasn't all polluted with particles from the massive fire in Paradise, CA. The smoke is saturating and, from satellite images being aired on news here, sitting over the valley here.


MrsD., some of the seeds, that grew the Sunflowers in the photos, came from some of the ones I grew last season. I was curious to find out whether they'd grow. Looks like they did! I just water, water, water and water them more. I'd read somewhere that Sunflowers are quite thirsty.

Last season, I had massive probs. with Blue Jays. I planted and nothing grew. Uhh, the birds made off with the seeds. Then, I found out about using thin plastic strips and tied them everywhere. It has deterred birds from seed hunting, but hasn't stopped them from nesting in my Sequoia (sp?) trees, which is good. They're cute and I love seeing and hearing them. But I do prefer they not make off with everything.

Sooo, this year, I did nearly everything as starters inside.

No rabbits, etc., but a pooch who enjoys picking peas. Guess where they are? Her tummy! This is my furry pea-picker:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/album.php?albumid=8


P.S.: Last year, I did use Miracle Gro(w). After losing so much money this year (being laid off) and having to get people so I could have "my people" help with financial planning etc., I couldn't bring myself to spend money on plant care items. I know, I know, it's probably worth the money; I just couldn't bring myself to spend it, though.

For snail deterrent, I've been using crushed egg shells. I've been having people save theirs and give them to me - after they've rinsed, dried and crushed the shells. I can't even believe people are actually doing it for me.

Yesterday, one of my neighbors gave me ice cream for some of my garden's zuchinni. She works for an ice cream maker company; it's a quite price-y brand. I think, one of us got the better end of the deal .