In need of basil to make pesto, I took a basket, some snippers and walked out to the greenhouse. On my way, I passed Ralph's vegetable garden where I noticed some ripe tomatoes so I picked them and put them in the bottom of the basket.
A little further along by the barn, I was greeted by a scattering of Rudbeckia hirta, bright black-eyed Susan blooms. Some were streaked with brown while the petals on others were pure yellow. How I love their cheery appearance.
I hadn't been in the greenhouse for several days. It's generally Ralph's domain, although I'm always welcome especially if I want to weed. Weeds were lush, so I pulled quite a few before settling in to gather the basil leaves I had come for. Before leaving, I also picked some cherry tomatoes and one huge ripe red pepper. Nice surprises.
On the way back home, I stopped to take a few pictures of some persimmons, which are growing bigger although far from ready to pick.
Persimmons will turn orange in late September when they're ripe |
By the lake, a clump of Blue Timber Bamboo (Bambusa chungii) caught my eye. I can't believe how huge it has gotten over the years. I think we planted it in 2007. Over that time, its grown into such a thick, tight clump, you'd never know it started out as two separate 3-gallon plants spaced 6-feet apart. When it was first planted, each plant only had one or two canes. To say they have a lot more now would be stating the obvious.
You can estimate how tall the bamboo is by comparing it to the two chairs on the left |
New Blue Timber Bamboo shoots began to appear in April and will continue to do so now through early November. What a spectacular plant!
It only takes 45 days for new shoots like the one on the left to grow as tall or taller than the existing canes. Bamboo is so amazing! |
My walk out to the greenhouse for a few basil leaves turned into a mini-excursion. I not only returned home with a basket of herbs and vegetables, I fed my senses with beautiful blooms, lovely plants and interesting observation of nature at work. It was a bountiful walk indeed.
I'm not the only one who appreciates Rudbeckia blooms. Seems like this hungry grasshopper does too. |
I just ;ove walking thru the garden in the late afternoon,expecially if I have a glass of wine with me....It is so peaceful and relaxes me.
ReplyDeleteI like your idea of a glass of wine...but how would I hold it? My hands were already full with camera, basket and snippers. Ah well, hot tea was waiting for me when I got home.
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