2023: The Yr in Evaluate
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Right here we’re, embarking on 2024 filled with hope and promise. The backyard does that, offers one hope and promise regardless of the grim information we see on our screens. I am going to take a backyard any day over a cellphone or laptop, however nonetheless, it is a time of yr after I do prefer to take inventory of how we and the gardens have fared this previous yr. I word any initiatives, observations, complaints and develop an total sense of what the themes of the yr had been. I’m thus reminded as I look again by way of a yr’s price of images that 2023 was pretty beautiful so far as the backyard and climate had been involved and we, principally FM, took on a number of decent-sized initiatives. Prepared? Right here we go, it is a lengthy one:JANUARYBuddha faces east greeting the winter solar beneath Arctostaphylos ‘Austin Griffiths’ amongst a sea of Ceanothus gloriosus. January begins off quiet with muted colours and loads of wild birds. I might say our ongoing efforts to create a year-round backyard filled with evergreens and winter curiosity have yielded first rate outcomes.Cupressus arizonica ‘Blue Ice’ shines on even the dullest of days.Carex conica ‘Snowline’ is all the time sparkly and fairly. Within the shade backyard the place it does exceptionally nicely, it brings a lightness to this darkish space perpetually lined by Douglas firs.Although so many shade backyard crops are dormant in January, the mossy path brings me pleasure.Arctostaphylos ‘Saint Helena’ and her muscular trunk.A windswept picture of Ozothamnus ‘Sussex Silver’ fronted by Phlomis russelliana pom poms. I realized that though Ozothamnus are typically forgiving of dry situations, two of three (O. ‘Silver Jubilee’) died nearly to the bottom this yr, although it may not have been drought induced. Maybe simply too moist of a spring. I lower out the lifeless branches and they’re each resprouting from the bottom and will likely be effective, although smaller. FEBRUARYMy official Rooster Tender (as he jokingly calls himself) speaking to one of many speckled Sussex hens we introduced residence in autumn 2022. We additionally added 5 very fairly golden laced Wyandottes to the flock this yr. Sadly we misplaced three hens in 2023 – it occurs. We presently have 19 hens and one very fats turkey.Purple branches of Acer palmatum ‘Sango Kaku’ in opposition to vibrant inexperienced Hebe ‘Karo Golden Esk’ make me completely satisfied. Any shade this time of the yr is most welcome.Clematis cirrhosa ‘Wisley Cream’ bloomed properly in January, although had a tough summer time. It acquired a great prune this autumn (to scrub it up, it was somewhat uncontrolled) and now appears to be like beautiful as soon as extra.MARCHThis is the month our 2500-gallon cistern arrived. FM put in it by attaching it to our downspout. It was utterly crammed inside three weeks of set up and that is simply from runoff from the portion of roof seen on this {photograph}. We used the water for a number of months in summer time downhill from the cistern, for at this level gravity is the one approach it really works. We’re contemplating including a pump to have the ability to deliver water to different components of the backyard however for now it does the job, albeit slowly. That is Annie guarding our water provide.Rhamnus alaternus ‘Variegata’ saved doing this after snow occasions. Whereas this does not kill the plant it actually is not good. I opted to prune its high branches, giving it extra width than top and to date it has labored.The sting of the “meadow” was a haven for birds and I think about small critters all autumn, winter and early spring. It will get in the reduction of somewhat later in spring.One other of FM’s small initiatives, a step was created from bricks on this bizarre little slope by my backyard shed. It now feels strong and is safer than a slippery gravel slope.Dramatic lighting throughout the panorama. Off within the distance is Washington state – the Columbia river is in there someplace, although you possibly can’t see the water from our property.Oemleria cerasiformis, osoberry, is likely one of the first crops to bloom and the hummingbirds are very completely satisfied about it. This multi-stemmed shrub/small tree is repeated all through our hedgerows to supply for wildlife. Its vibrant foliage is a welcome shade so early within the yr.One other early bloomer is Edgeworthia chrysantha, a shrub that types buds in late autumn.On a snowy March morning I watched this Cooper’s hawk from our lounge window.APRILApril was the start of FM’s massive initiatives. Oscar the agave was now not completely satisfied right here, he had straightened out and was getting too moist inflicting some leaf rot. Right here FM jostles Oscar into place to be moved to a drier website.That is the location of his new residence earlier than the declining Ceanothus gloriosus was eliminated.Ceanothus gone on this tremendous sunny south-facing space.Oscar in place and the primary layer of gravel utilized. We’ll revisit this newly renovated space in September’s images.FM constructed raised beds for our raspberries; very profitable this yr.Ribes had been blooming far and wide in April – right here is Ribes odoratum, clove currant that has, as one would count on, clove-scented flowers.Ribes x gordonianum is a cross between Ribes odoratum and R. sanguineum. The flowers actually learn extra coral orange than this closeup photograph would point out.For the clear white look, Ribes sanguineum ‘White Icicle’ is a beautiful addition to the backyard.Ribes sanguineum in my expertise has fairly diverse shades of pink in its flowers. These native multi-stemmed shrubs are adaptable and fairly and an early pollen/nectar supply for bugs and hummingbirds.Additionally in April we had a gaggle plant sale in N. Portland, moreover I donated crops to the Home of Desires spring plant sale. I plan on doing each once more in 2024 so keep tuned!MAYFM went into overdrive with initiatives in Might with a lot of grass removing and extension of backyard areas. Right here is the “earlier than” shot of a really sloped grassy space that was tough to mow and normally riddled with mole hills.After the torturous sod remover was used to take up a big space, quarter-10 gravel was utilized fairly thickly. I’ve since planted a couple of hebes and wildflower seeds on this space.One other massive space of sod that was eliminated was on this southern fringe of our property. We needed to tie all of those disparate crops collectively right into a extra cohesive feeling of function. After sod was eliminated and arborist’s wooden chips utilized.Might can be when flowers get entering into earnest. Right here Penstemon davidsonii, a small evergreen native penstemon, turns into the discuss of the backyard when guests come.Talking of holiday makers, 2023 stands out as a yr after we had a variety of people desirous to see the backyard. We additionally had a photograph shoot in July for an upcoming e-book on low-impact gardening and a number of other backyard teams come by way of. There was a variety of juggling between initiatives, guests and caring for the backyard as a complete, so many chores had been delay till this autumn. Hopefully 2024 would be the yr of extra steadiness and higher time administration for us each. We’re nonetheless studying!Fremontodendron californicum grew by leaps and bounds in 2023. Initially bought in 2015 to plant in what was to turn out to be this, our new backyard, it struggled for a number of years. Lastly the mole exercise that brought about it to fall over a few occasions settled down and its roots took maintain. I believe it grew 4 ft in a single season.An replace on one other backyard undertaking, this space that was planted in autumn of 2022 that we discuss with because the crow backyard. Vegetation are settling in and I proceed to mow round them till they fill in. Vegetation embrace Eriophyllum lanatum (the yellow flowers), Dorycnium hirsutum, Teucrium chamaedrys and Madia elegans. JUNEWhile June is unquestionably probably the most floriferous month of the yr right here, I didn’t take many photographs as a result of we had been simply so damned busy. However I do bear in mind pondering to myself “If I do not take an image of the Diplacus aurantiacus ‘Jeff’s Tangerine’ I am going to remorse it.”A path off of the driveway resulting in our again porch appears to be like particularly good when the Callistemon viridiflorus is in full bloom.One other favourite amongst backyard guests was this Dianthus deltoides ‘Flashing Mild’, a mat forming carnation with very tiny flowers. That is such a fantastic little entrance of the border plant for full solar and good drainage.Kniphofia thomsonii is my favourite of the genus. Right here it’s backed by Sidalcea campestris within the meadow backyard.Philadelphus lewisii, mock orange, is in its prime this time of the yr, perfuming the air alongside our carport. This multi-stemmed deciduous shrub does have an ugly time of the yr when its leaves can look fairly spotty, nevertheless it all the time grows out of it the subsequent yr. I discover if I prune out some branches from the bottom of the plant to open it up for air circulation it helps.Stipa barbata with its silky flowers are almost at their prettiest this time of the yr. In entrance of them is Muhlenbergia rigens earlier than it sends up it spiky, lengthy flowers.Contrasting foliage colours on the sting of the labyrinth backyard is simply as thrilling to me as flowers.We grew potatoes for the primary time with a lot success. They had been enjoyable and fairly simple, we’ll do it once more this yr.JULYThis was the yr that calendula flowers took over the veggie backyard. Oh my gosh they had been and are in all places! All from one packet of Calendula ‘Radio’ seeds and one packet of Calendula ‘Strawberry Blonde’ seeds a couple of years in the past. We’ve fairly a variety of colours from these two varieties.Whereas I do know there are massive populations of bugs, birds, invertebrates and vertebrates that go to our backyard, this month I used to be impressed by my pal Amy Campion to take a list of what I might discover. It was a variety of enjoyable and realized I’ve a variety of native pollinators within the backyard. Here’s a hyperlink to a publish I wrote about my findings.A feminine leaf-cutter bee visiting Cephalanthus occidentalis.Pacific tree frog in a planter by our entrance door. We’ve many of those creatures within the backyard year-round and are very completely satisfied to host them.In a small raised mattress subsequent to the greenhouse I develop flowers for small bouquets and a pop of shade. I grew many dahlias from seed which surprisingly kind fairly good-sized tubers inside one rising season. I additionally develop candy peas, dill, snapdragons and cosmos on this little field of enjoyable.Candy Pea ‘Previous Spice’ given to me by a pal has probably the most scrumptious perfume and was extremely floriferous. I saved seed and hope to develop it once more in 2024.However not every part was sweetly scented and straightforward. My Lobelia tupa as soon as occupied everything of the soil space seen on this {photograph} – it died again to this small clump that additionally ultimately died off. To fill the hole instantly, FM constructed a small totem from tree segments for a short lived repair. The Lobelia form of traveled to the decrease left and can hopefully come again subsequent yr. I’ve since eliminated the wooden and planted a small shrub.That is about as lovely as Stipa barbata will get and is luminous and implausible like this for a couple of week. Completely price it.FM with our boy Hobbes who turned 18 in July. He is being carried round, which he loves, when his legs tire out.AUGUSTAugust is often the most popular month for us. Whereas we did have at the very least one warmth wave it was nowhere as dangerous as in years previous. Right here is Agapanthus inepterus ssp. pendulus ‘Nigrescens’ amongst a white flowering Oenothera lindheimeri (syn. Gaura linderheimeri) and Echinacea ‘White Swan’ within the berm backyard, one thing I stay up for each August.The sting of the meadow backyard with a couple of tall Digitalis ferruginea sprinkled in. Whereas many flowers have completed blooming by this level, asters for instance, are simply starting and penstemons maintain the present going, too.The shade backyard fared nicely in 2023 and I did not should spend a whole bunch of hours watering. My latest autumnal updates of eradicating thirsty hydrangeas and changing them with extra summer-dry tolerant crops will hopefully make it much more low upkeep within the years to return. There was a good quantity of vole and critter injury, however I hope my latest plantings in these areas will on the very least cover injury even when the voles proceed on of their efforts to plow up an excellent freeway by way of our backyard.One other foliage ahead picture with grasses, hebes, maples, ceanothus and extra across the gravel backyard on a fairly sizzling summer time night.A view wanting east throughout dormant grass with FM’s latest backyard mattress on the fitting.Extra foliage on the sting of the labyrinth with Cotinus ‘Pink Champagne’, Miscanthus ‘Cabaret’, Olearia ‘Dartonii, Hylotelephium spectabile ‘Stardust’ in addition to hylotelephium seedlings.Additionally in August we pickled about a million jars of beets.SEPTEMBERSeptember was, by all accounts, pretty uneventful within the climate division. That is wanting north by way of the labyrinth backyard with a Salix eleagnos var. angustifolia within the heart. I see all of my photographs right here for September are of the broader panorama, maybe telling that as perennials mature for the season and begin to “go over” and kind seed heads and textures, that the panorama is type of knitted collectively. In different phrases, particular person crops may not be as attention-grabbing as the entire bigger image.The meadow backyard reveals indicators of aster shade in addition to a couple of Eschscholzia californica and Epilobium ‘Solidarity Pink’ sprinkled in. Grasses are additionally in full bloom giving a frothy wild look.Grasses within the labyrinth backyard catch afternoon mild.April’s undertaking of eradicating a Ceanothus gloriosus and changing it with Agave parryi var. truncata (Oscar the agave) was profitable. Extra gravel was added and some volunteer Verbena bonariensis add some shade. I planted Cosmos ‘Rubenza’ and Agastache ‘Kudos Purple’ in addition to some Delosperma cooperi. General, I’m a lot happier with this situation vs. a ratty plant on the sting of dying. It was laborious work and a dedication to take action, however gratefully with FM’s muscle mass we obtained it achieved.The very unused hearth pit space.The sting of the labyrinth backyard with hazy September mild.The Acer palmatum ‘Sango Kaku’ is starting to point out indicators of a shift in shade.Whereas September is normally a really busy time of the yr right here with harvesting and processing of meals from the veggie backyard and orchard, we had been busy making ready for our England journey and so such chores needed to wait.However these birdhouse gourds grown in summer time 2022, as seen within the backyard in March 2023, wanted to be was this earlier than we left:Some 50 gourds that spent the yr drying had been hand-sanded, holes drilled for chickadees and nuthatches, cleaned out, holes drilled within the backside for drainage and air, wired for hanging and coated with two coats of bird-friendly waterproof stain. Right here they’re hanging in our storage drying after the second coat of stain was utilized. The deadline was to get these to the Home of Desires cat shelter for his or her vacation bazaar to lift cash for this implausible non-profit shelter. Whew, mission achieved and most of those went to the bazaar, all of which offered. Thanks to all of you who bought them, by the way in which, the kitties thanks!OCTOBERThe finish of September and starting of October had been spent in some fairly world-class British gardens. Right here, FM strolls by way of the Oxford Botanic Gardens. You’ll be able to learn extra about our go to right here.And my favourite of all of them, Nice Dixter. You’ll be able to examine our go to in two posts right here and right here.After we returned, we did so to among the finest autumnal foliage present in recent times and a variety of rain. However we had been refreshed and invigorated and able to tackle delayed backyard initiatives. NOVEMBERMost of what I photographed is from the start of November. The present continued on nicely into early December. The meadow backyard and the a number of Amsonia hubrichtii had been particularly golden. The east finish of the berm backyard nonetheless regarded recent in November.The middle of the berm backyard did, too. The crimson foliage is Itea ‘Henry’s Garnet’ and the plant spilling over the sting is Juniperus conferta ‘Blue Pacific’.Technically FM rented the sod cutter and took up grass in October, however the brand new mattress pictured right here was completed in November. I had been saving crops particularly for this space together with Rhamnus californica ssp. tomentella, Eriodictyon californicum, Ericameria nauseosa and extra. It extends the mattress that FM had eliminated sod from in Might so now it runs all the way in which to our gate. As crops develop they may create extra of a display screen on this, the southern fringe of our property, thereby enclosing our backyard somewhat bit extra.Pops of shade on a cool November day.The veg backyard had been put to mattress, nevertheless it’s enjoyable to see the fading corn stalks we depart standing for some time. The little platform is the place we sprinkle sunflower seeds for the crows and whomever else needs some, normally white topped sparrows who reside within the close by labyrinth backyard in winter. We thus name the brand new extension within the foreground the crow backyard.Helianthus ‘Lemon Queen’ typically has fairly good autumn shade.A photograph taken from inside on what turned out to be a beautiful November day. We had many such days and obtained a variety of chores achieved comparable to two gigantic batches of applesauce which had been canned in addition to sauerkraut.DECEMBERDecember was fairly moist with a complete of almost 9″. Nonetheless we had been exterior typically coping with leaves, chickens, mulching and extra. Pictured about within the heart is Grevillea ‘Neil Bell’ whose prune job earlier within the yr proved to achieve success. A big portion of the downward aspect of this shrub had damaged away however was nonetheless connected to the primary plant. I left it in place and it did certainly heal, although it was lopsided. I pruned the down aspect by a couple of ft and the plant righted itself, you’d by no means comprehend it had been broken. We had a good persimmon crop which was fabulous, particularly since we had nearly none in 2022.Grevillea ‘Neil Bell’ flower, sure, in December.Muhlenbergia rigens, Clematis c. ‘Wisley Cream’ and deck lights make for a moist however fairly December scene.Moody fog.Miscanthus ‘Malepartus’ is so upright! I like this grass. Even now in early January it’s standing straight up like a soldier.FM’s mattress mulched with arborist’s wooden chips and a sculpture in there by our pricey departed pal Michi Kosuge.I shut this publish out with a picture of a newly expanded mattress on the southern fringe of the labyrinth backyard. FM eliminated extra sod, added bunches of gravel and now I’ve tons extra sq. footage for sun-loving, drought-adapted crops. It’s thrilling to think about what this space will seem like in spring and in years to return. It’s a new yr, nevertheless, time doesn’t come to me in beginnings and endings if endings suggest a cease, a break, a pause. It is a cyclical factor. It does not pause. Working example, we’re planting in January. Engaged on cleansing up the veg backyard in January, too – repairing partitions, weeding somewhat, mulching. Whereas it is good and neat to wrap issues up as yr’s finish in December, the fact is that I do not know when the top is. And that’s, I think about, by design. The backyard offers us rhythms that we at the moment are acquainted with and luxuriate in. I can solely hope we proceed to seek out pleasure in our “work” for years to return, that it is one very lengthy and fantastic experiment. This yr has been a variety of work however the climate cooperated and we stay up for seeing the fruits of our labors come to fruition within the coming months. Anticipation is half the enjoyable in gardening, in any case.Whereas there may be a lot extra I might have added to this publish (there are millions of images of gorgeous flowers and birds from which to decide on), one should maintain it inside bounds. However keep tuned for 2024 as we proceed on our journey right here at Chickadee Gardens.That is a wrap for this week at Chickadee Gardens. Thanks a lot for studying and commenting and for sticking with us this previous yr. It has been a pleasure. From all of us – FM, myself, Annie, Hobbes, Candy Pea the Turkey, all 19 hens and all of the squirrels, birds, reptiles and bugs, Glad Gardening and Glad New Yr, everytime you have fun!
Right here we’re, embarking on 2024 filled with hope and promise. The backyard does that, offers one hope and promise regardless of the grim information we see on our screens. I am going to take a backyard any day over a cellphone or laptop, however nonetheless, it is a time…