Feb 14
2013
About Last Summer
I’m sitting here with seed and plant catalogs scattered around—Plant Delights, Botanical Interests, Baker Creek, Cook’s Garden, John Scheepers…My Lee Valley 10-Year Garden Journal is open to February. My Excel spread sheet plant inventory is open on my computer screen. The collection I affectionately refer to as my Seed Vault is on the floor under my desk, threatening to overflow into Seed Vault Two.
I’m bundled in a bulky sweater, fingerless gloves and my warmest Ugg shoes. I hardly remember what summer looked like last year.
Potager in June
I know it was green. I’m pretty sure it was green. I remember picking tomatoes, cucumbers, tiny mar des bois strawberries, Bright Lights Swiss chard. My husband and I spent many evenings under the stars finishing dinner and drinking wine, listening to the crickets and watching the bats dart across the night sky. I can remember the smell of freshly mown grass and basil pinched between my fingernails.
Gosh, my feet are cold. I should to make some hot tea.
Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly
Oh yes, we had lots of butterflies last year. Monarchs, zebra swallowtails, eastern tiger swallowtails, red admirals. I didn’t know the name of some of the butterflies and moths but loved them just the same. I remember wondering why the monarchs seemed so skittish and the eastern tiger swallowtails would almost let me touch them.
Celeste figs
Oh, that’s right. All those celeste figs! So many I hardly knew what to do with them all. I stood next to the tree and popped them right into my mouth.
Maybe another pair of socks would help warm my feet.
Oh, the birds! That’s right. Our hummingbird feeder had a lot of business last summer.
I should bundle up and go top off the bird feeders now. That birdbath could use some hot water to melt the ice too.
Lemon grass in the foreground
So much lemon grass! I remember I was glad I only planted one since it nearly crowded out the cone flowers.
And the asparagus was filling in nicely. I think we can pick some more this year.
Asparagus berries
Ah yes. There was color too. Purples and blues and oranges and yellows.
It’s awfully cold in here. Maybe I should just turn up the heat for a little while.
Oh, that’s right. It’ll be better soon.
(Click on the photos to embiggen.)
Robin
February 14th, 2013 at 2:03 pm
Doesn’t it make us happy to dive into the archives and see our warmer days pics! Waiting patiently for sunshine here.
Carolyn´s last [type] ..A Love that Lasts Forever
February 14th, 2013 at 6:43 pm
I’m so done with winter. I can only imagine how you folks feel on the Eastern seaboard.
February 14th, 2013 at 10:41 pm
I’ve never seen asparagus berries befor, did not know it even had them!
February 14th, 2013 at 10:59 pm
Figs and butterflies and basil, oh my! You do know how to paint a pretty picture. Only 32 days until spring!
Marian St.Clair´s last [type] ..True Love for Valentine’s Day
February 18th, 2013 at 8:12 pm
I did the same thing yesterday. I dug out my garden photos from over a decade ago. It was a blast to see how far the garden has come. Also, it’s nice to remind ourselves that winter is a temporary state. Seed catalogs and photos are lifesavers. Here’s to spring!
John´s last [type] ..No Impatiens in 2013?
February 24th, 2013 at 10:33 pm
It’s nice to look back (and of course forward) at this time of year. I am reminded that I still have a butterfly post to write from last year, too.
Ray
March 25th, 2013 at 2:48 am
WOW! I love the idea of planting lemon grass in the garden. As this humble grass relieves stress and insomnia.
Nelson´s last [type] ..DIY Your Life: 16 Gardening Ideas from Our Fave Bloggers
March 27th, 2013 at 12:05 am
Robin, you are a summer girl after my own heart. I too love its sights, sounds and smells. Thanks for sharing these wonderful garden tidbits from a few of your favorite things from last year’s warm growing season.