A little over a year ago we purchased a second home. It was and is a slow process of making the house a home and relinquishing the other house to my son. The last ten years our growing season and temps have changed. Some old annuals like rosemary have become perennials and oregano a weed. Actually I am thinking of oregano as a lawn substitute. I am experimenting with ferns this winter. A Boston “house fern” has done lovely this summer outside. Something that was never possible before because of such cool summers. Two discounted house ferns of different varieties also ended outside in a garden bed. Don’t know if they will make the winter but the Boston fern is way too big to bring inside (4 foot x 5 foot). It would be splendid to see it over winter and divide it in the spring. I am not holding my breath and not doing anything to protect it, just leaving it on the porch. Also have some bulbs that over wintered in pots that never have in the past so have propagated them. They were Dollar Store bulbs and I have no idea what they are but they are lovely. Here is a different type that usually don’t bloom or grow well here but this hot summer it has a second bloom. Have lost some rhododendrons due to extended dry conditions. This little fellow with water this summer is blooming again. It is either confused or might be a variety that blooms twice. Only time will tell. I am looking forward to moving the mini iris varieties in the spring. I still have to create a bed along the south side of the house. This is a sunnier lot so they won’t have to compete with the weeds as much. Where the microclimates of one house were shady and protected with loamy soil, the new house has an interesting mix of sun, glacial till (gravel for soil) wind and slope. Discovering how to develop my little patches of green is an interesting challenge. Now it’s a waiting game for the rains to return. Weather forecast is still clear for the next week.
Well Jewell—those were some great foto’s of your precious plants…and that landscape. Wow. The best of all is not the colour or the mountains— it is that you are posting here again and that we are hearing from you again. I have missed you. I hope that you have not been ill. Welcome back, camper girl.
Am doing well, but after retirement came a few changes of health for my son and husband. I am healthy and active and family members are too now…or not. Still traveling with my little homemade caravan and have only scratched the surface of visiting all the interesting parts of my home and neighboring states. Thanks for the welcome back.
You know Jewell, as the winter months arrive and there isn’t so much gardening things to talk about or show, perhaps you could show and tell about some of the things you have seen on your travels. Where you live and have travelled are places that I will never get to see, so I am interested. I am still amazed at your camper accommodation.
Jewell - this sounds like an exciting new chapter in your life. I'm looking forward to seeing your garden discoveries. ( I have my fingers crossed for the boston fern ) May I ask, is that the mountain range known as the "Washington Six", with Mt. St. Helens being one of them?
Melody, No, this home is on the west side of the Puget Sound. The Mountain View is of the Olympic Mountains on the peninsula. Due east is Mt Rainier but would have to take a walk over the hill to see it on a clear day. Thanks Sjoerd, haven’t been taking as many photos as in the past. Staying closer to home and traveling during the dark, rainy seasons since camping has gotten way too popular in nice weather. More crowded in the woods than a busy city some weekends. Daniel, I explored parts of southwest Washington two years ago. A lovely part of the world for sure. There is such diversity.
