Thankfully June is here!
We, in just about all areas of North Carolina, after experiencing a truly drenching
latter half of May, are excited about getting our gardens in shape. . . . . again!
Things were looking good in early May, we all had an early start with landscaping,
mulch spreading, planting summer veggies and annuals, outdoor furniture scrubbing,
seed scattering. . . . . and then along came constant storms, torrential rains and
flash flooding in many parts, and so much hard work was washed away, the
remainder left a sodden mess.
The week ahead looks so much better for gardening chores.
Fingers are crossed, rakes, mowers and trimmers are at the ready, and those
hundreds of weeds that suddenly appeared will be thwarted come
Monday morning here in my garden!
Luckily my basil seeds were planted in pots and didn't get washed away. Today
they are looking good - pasta and pesto making soon. The third pot I planted up
was gifted to my dear friend MaryAnn as her own basil was supper for
visiting deer last week!
The Boston fern on the left was the home of the house finch nest for the
month of May this year. Thankfully, being partially under cover of the porch,
the birdies were not drowned or blown away!
On May 20 the two baby finches fledged - two unhatched eggs remained in the nest.
The most amazing thing was that for some unknown reason, a Carolina chickadee
helped feed these babies, along with the finch mama, and the dad often stopped by
to check on the nursery.
It was a busy porch for all those weeks with three birds checking in, bringing tasty
morsels of spiders and grubs, and the constant housekeeping done by the chickadee
(finches are messy birds and don't clean their nests).
I won't mention the snake incident again other than to say I still have
really bad dreams about that evening.
Seeing the two new little ones fly safely off in the heat of the afternoon
was heart warming.
These are my weekend flowers - peonies and alstroemeria
from Trader Joe's on Friday.
So pretty!
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