This is the perfect time here in the Central Valley. The constant rain has stopped and we are all planting like mad. I hope the fruit crop wasn't destroyed because I'm down to my last jar of jam and need to make some soon. The temperature is in the mid-80's. In another month, we'll experience triple digit numbers, as high as 113 degrees. That can be hard on plants that don't like to bake, for instance, yellow roses. They don't last very long in the high heat, fading quickly. So, I am taking the time to enjoy these beauties right now.
I wish I could remember the names of these roses. This coral rose is very hardy and prolific in high heat.
This weekend I discovered lots of baby sweet cherries on my dwarf cherry tree.
All in all, it's a very good time. My fava beans are producing like crazy and the tomato plants have little fruits on them. I'll plant basil, green and wax beans, eggplant and peppers this week. And I'll try to remember this lovely time before the beastly heat arrives.
It will hit the 90's this weekend. That's how it starts.
Imagine me clapping my hands with glee. Beautiful! I'm so jealous. Your roses are way ahead of mine. Isn't this time of year wonderful? I can't wait to get out of school so I can put out my back porch container garden. Can't wait to see pics of your garden this summer. It's always fabulous.
Posted by: Glenna | May 08, 2006 at 02:15 PM
I can't grow a rose to save my life, I'm jealous.
Posted by: steven | May 08, 2006 at 06:04 PM
Oh, take joy in it now, sister! I am not as far North as you, but we too take a beating, very soon.
this is a time of sitting outdoors, enjoying the flora, and living the life fantastique. We'll check back in when the humidity and mosquitios have driven us indoors for the rest of the maddening season. ;)
Beautiful roses!!
Posted by: s'kat | May 08, 2006 at 06:54 PM
Glenna,
I'm so glad that you are going to do the container garden again!!! You had a lot of success with that.
Steven,
I have to admit that I have no great skill at rose growing. Actually, this is a great rose growing area. When we moved here, I noticed that almost every yard had roses. Why? We have such low humidity here. Roses don't like it, so fungus and disease is not as common here. Knock on wood. :):)
s'kat
Ah, the mosquitos!! We just got West Nile here 2 years ago. So, it has taken a lot of the fun out of going outdoors. But, I'm going to put that out of my mind--and enjoy our brief little bit of heaven!
Posted by: sher | May 08, 2006 at 08:22 PM
Wow. Beautiful pics. I'm excited because here in the NE, it's been in the low 70s during the day. And you're hitting the 90s this weekend? I'm so jealous!
Posted by: kristi | May 09, 2006 at 05:36 AM
I think it was all the fussing over mildew, etc. that turned me off to roses in the first place. It gets pretty humid here because of the lake and I see my neighbors (who have beautiful roses,btw) spraying and poking and prodding their roses all the time. If I have to spend a lot of time on a plant I'd better be able to eat it.
Posted by: steven | May 09, 2006 at 10:56 AM
It's getting wrmer there and colder here.... wanna swap?
BTW sooo jealous of your cherrys!
Posted by: clare eats | May 09, 2006 at 09:38 PM
Those are great pictures, I'm jealous of your garden - and your yards... that's probably the biggest thing I miss from California living in a New York apartment.
Posted by: Gerald | May 10, 2006 at 07:41 AM
Kristi,
I'm afraid we wil have to start using the AC in a couple of weeks. Ugh!
Steven,
Yes, I saw how people had to fight the mildew in the Midwest, so I never wanted to have roses until we moved here. At least this dreadful sky high dry heat is good for something!
Ckare,
Well, I hope I can get some. Each year I battle the birds. I wouldn't mind them eating some of the cherries. But, they sample the fruit, pecking at the cherries.
Gerald,
You lived in San Diego, didn't you? It's so beautiful there.
Posted by: sher | May 10, 2006 at 03:24 PM
Sherry, those roses are beautiful how I wish I could be there to see them.
We are having beautiful weather now, but we are so short of rain it is dangerous. It was 80 deg. today, but a breeze made it comfortable.
Love, Bunty
Posted by: Bunty | May 11, 2006 at 05:13 PM
ooh, those cherry berries are really neat looking. So glad to see them.
Posted by: Gabriella True | May 22, 2006 at 11:52 PM
Gabriella,
I'm praying that the birds leave me some! The cherries are getting bigger each day.
Posted by: sher | May 23, 2006 at 10:57 AM