Yesterday’s rainfall brought so much joy and peace of mind.
It is the second rain we have had since the start of Summer and it was such a relief. Like most weekends, we are always out and about visiting Vintage and Antique Shops, Retail Stores, Nurseries and so much more. One thing I very much wanted to do this weekend was to take the kids to a Park and let them loose.
Instead of doing those wonderful things, we opted to stay home. As of now, the backyard fencing is 80% complete. We got rid of more Oleanders and what a difference! It feels like we gained three feet on that side of the yard. It started raining, so we ran into the garage, sat back enjoying some delicious and nutritious snacks while watching the rain fall. It was a wonderful moment for the kids. As soon as the rains stopped, they resumed drawing on the driveway with Crayola Sidewalk Chalk and we continued digging out more Oleanders.
Hawk perched on a Wire.
Early in the evening as my husband was removing and replacing all the solar batteries, he spotted a Hawk perched on a Wire just above the Sweet Almond Tree.
Fall, despite being the reason for the sneezing, is my best gardening season. For me, Fall is a season of new beginnings and hope renewed. For a gardener who wasn’t satisfied with a project, seeing the leaves on plants dying off and leaves on trees start to fall off is a relief. A self motivation to do better the next season.
When you’ve lived in an area for a while, you are able to ‘guess’ what time of year it is, what season, what is/might happen the following days. Because of our unpredictable weather, I often rely on familiar signs given by Nature for my gardening needs. The plants are healthy and thriving. I am focusing my attention to my Fall Shrubs and flowering Plants for their vibrant colors.
According to the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) Zone Map, the High Desert including a few cities in the Mohave Desert area are in Sunset Zone 10. Given the fact that the High Desert consists of many cities such as Victorville, Hesperia, Adelanto, Apple Valley, Phelan, Lucerne Valley, Oak Hills, Oro Grande, Piñon Hills and others; each with its own weather forecast; It is safe to say that the hardiness zones in the High Desert are: 8B, 9A, 10 and 11 depending on the location (click here to learn more). Click here to find your Plant Hardiness Zone.
Below is a list of wonderful flowering plants for Fall which grow well in the High Desert:
Keep in mind that most of these plants need some protection from the wind and always check for toxicity. That being said, we are finally riding our backyard of Nerium Oleanders as we have so much planned for the months ahead and this is one of the steps to get the yard ready. They will be gone by the end of the year. Anyone interested in the plant should contact me for additional information. I am located in the High Desert of California.
Fall is nearing and my kids are so excited about decorating the front yard. We are planning on picking up a couple of Hay bales, some large decorative Pumpkins which paired together with Matilda, our Good Witch Porch Greeter, will look entertaining. Now we have to find an area where the wind won’t mess up our displays.
I haven’t seen a single bee around since last month and I don’t know if they will be coming back any time soon. Meanwhile, my female flowers need to be pollinated in order for the buds to become a pumpkin. Yesterday I pollinated the first female flower by hand. I figured that since pollination is the transfer of pollen from the anthers of a flower to the stigma of the same flower (or a different flower); then perhaps I could just cut the male flower, remove its petals and rub the male stamen’s pollen over the female stigma.
The pollinating process reminded me of all the things we often take for granted because someone of something else is in charge. Can you imagine how stressful life might become without the assistance of the bees? Can imagine hand pollinating each and every single one of your crop by hand? Let’s all help save the bees, starting with these 10 Simple Things YOU Can Do and clicking here to sign a petition to ban chemicals.
Male & Female Pumpkin Flowers.
Yesterday, amongst other things, I found two Drawers from our old Kitchen Cabinets, which I cleaned and removed the knobs. I asked my husband to cut and attach three legs to its base and then spray paint the finish product. I replaced the original knobs with a set of drawer pulls I bought from Michael’s a few months ago.
Drawer Garden Planter.
I spent a peaceful moment in the garden today. I am off to spend a relaxing evening with the family.
From the moment I woke up to get my Son ready for school, I knew the day would be different. The weather is amazing, the air is fresh and the atmosphere is peaceful. Cloudy like, but with clear skies. Some Rain would be nice, though I am quite content and grateful for the moment.
After dropping off my Son to school, I spent a moment in the backyard, enjoying Nature. The gladioli are flowering abundantly and beautifully. I was pleasantly surprised to discover a Brick Red Gladiolus blooming alongside the others (stunning, isn’t it?). I will be collecting seeds from Allium Drumstick, Snapdragon and Gladiolus later in the day.
Gladiolus Pink & Purple Flowers.
Gladiolus are a lovely addition to any garden with their rich, attractive, and cheerful colors. I will be adding Gladiolus ‘Charming Beauty’ and ‘Elvira’ to my collection.
Gladiolus Brick Red & Orange Salmon Flowers.
While watering my Gladiolus in the front yard yesterday morning, a little green insect jumped out of the watering area. At first I thought it was a camel cricket or young nymph (grasshopper) until I saw it’s brown stinger. It moved and jumped so fast that I was unable to capture a clear picture. Perhaps a young Katydid?
As Fall nears, colors are starting to show again in the garden. My Desert Willow, Texas Sage, Autumn Sage, Yellow Daisy, Oleanders, Gaura Lindheimeri, Plumbago Auriculata ‘Imperial Blue’, Snapdragon, most of the Roses and Gladiolus are blooming with a variety of colors.
Despite the hot temperatures, the Pumpkin vine has been thriving and producing lovely flowers of box sexes. Though there are no female blossoms yet, I have seen a couple of female buds which I will have to pollinate by hand for it to become a pumpkin (if there aren’t bees around to pollinate it). So far it’s looking promising.
Male Pumpkin Flower.Female Pumpkin Buds.
Dainty Bess Hybrid Tea Rose, is one charming Rose. I instantly fell in love with the Rose when I saw it at Mark and Nellie’s Nursery a couple of years ago. The beautiful “Dainty Bess” single flowering rose with elegant stature and five light pink silky petals is one of my favorite repeat bloomer Roses. The flower opens and closes over its burgundy, purple or maroon stamens.
Dainty Bess Hybrid Tea Rose (bred by Wm. E.B. & Archer, England 1925).
Most of my mini Rose bushes are in bloom. I particularly loved the one below. It’s one of the Roses I bought from the 99¢ Only Stores early this year (smart way to grow a Garden for less).
Rose Flower.
Below is my miniature Rose “Let Freedom Ring.” I planted a couple in the front yard two years ago and just a few months ago they stopped flowering and looked like they were dying. So I moved them into a raised bed in the backyard and much to my amazement, they have been thriving ever since. Another 99¢ Only Stores purchase.
Rose Flower.
Finally, a Bee pollinating a Yellow Daisy.
Yellow Daisies.
I am feeling so grateful for every minute spent in my garden and for the wonderful moments with my family.
Happy Gardening!
By JM Perez
