Around the garden

Because of our weather and shorter season we have to grow tomatos and peppers at the same time. Tomatoes are not too bad but the season is only really just about long enough for peppers. I do remember one year I grew lots outside though and they ripened. It's somewhat unpredictable. My peppers are just a little smaller than the tomatoes. They are coming on well though. Anheim if I remember rightly: pepperscale.com/anaheim-pepper/

Anaheim peppers are quite plentiful in the grocery stores here. In fact, all sorts of chiles are popular...

pueblochilefestival.com/

There are plenty of Carnicerias here that have a plethora of options.

It's about time for the second lawn trim.

I have done the second. It was dull.

I'm taking down my hydroponic tower for the summer. I use it mostly for lettuce and when it gets too hot it starts to fail. My tomatoes and peppers are doing well in my other systems.

I think I may have to pick some of my cherries today. They are not quite ripe enough but I am being reminded of an old (modified from worm) proverb - "The early bird catches the cherry". I startled one a couple of days back when I came out of the house but didn't realise what it was up to. It's only a miniature tree so there are few enough of them anyway

We had the same issue with out raspberries and blackberries back north. The birds loved them.

Yesterday I repotted the venus flytrap plants in one of my pots. Although they looked sickly there were actually three distinct plants so I seperated them into three pots. I did find that there were very poor roots on all the plants so I suspect I have neglected them too long. Their growing medium was not in a good state. Very sandy and a bit dry. The moss peat had probably degraded. I found I didn't have any sharp horticultural sand so I used moss peat mixed with perlite in two posts and moss peat mixed with clay pebbles in the other. I will see how they go. Next week sometime I intend on getting some sharp sand and will repot the last of my two original pots using a more traditional (natural) mix.

I am taking some photos as I go so if there are results to see I may post them in a few weeks.

Yesterday the sundews that I ordered earlier in the week came so I had to get on and sort the front windowsill. It is large and has lots of space but has quite a few, somewhat neglected cacti as well as the venus flytraps. I went ahead and repotted one or two cacti. I also put a couple of the larger plants in the greenhouse. I think that they will be ok there. even in winter. I am trying to reduce the number of cacti in the window but without losing them. Cleaning the windows and windowsill is a hazardous occupation with cacti

This morning I cut the lawn and cleaned out the hydroponic tank I recently cleared. Due to being busy in summer I may not use it before the autumn but it's good to have it clean and ready for use.

The venus flytraps that I potted on seem to be growing but they are doing nothing fast. Fingers crossed

Okay, so my yards need to be redone in two weeks since my gardeners with be in Mexico again for two weeks in July, I am thinking about replacing all the ground coverings and planting hydrangeas in my shady backyard. I am in zone 10a, any suggestions for shady and partial sun areas?

Rhododendrons grow well in the shade:

www.google.com/search?gs_ssp=eJzj4tDP1TdIMsytNGD04i3KyE_JT0nNSynKzysGAGPxCIg&q=rhododendrons&rlz=1C1RXQR_enGB1028GB1028&oq=rhodedendrums&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j46i10i131i433i512j0i10i512l5j46i10i340i512j0i10i512.7990j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Holly trees also.

Bluebell flowers, and wild garlic, both prefer shade.

? Is that due to the illegal trade in such things? My sundews that I have just bought came with a plant passport leaflet with a number on it. They are propagated and grown in a specialist nursery here in the Uk.

Thanks Cherry, I will look this up.