Starting off the 2017 growing season

Warm weather hit early. We were all nervous about a late freeze, and while a late frost did stunt the flowering tip of one of our hesperaloe plants, everything else seems to have fared well.

 

Our front hill was inspired by a rest stop in Texas a few years back - hesperaloe (a.k.a red yucca) planted among native grasses. Chuck built the hill with the dirt from the patio excavation.

These bales are by our mailbox and will hold beets, carrots, and who-knows-what else. All of our bales are in the front yard this year. Our Asian pear trees, newly planted last year, have quite a few fruit on them.

We have some thinning to do, as the branches are very small for so many fruit. We'll keep a close eye on them.

 

 Our apple tree (not sure of the variety) has had very staggered blooming this year. It seems to have fared well with late frosts. Looking forward to making applesauce this year!

 

These bales closest to the front porch will hold cherry and roma tomatoes. The pots now boast an assortment of herbs and flowers, and the in-ground plot is filled with lavender.

These are our tomato bales - they will hold the bulk of our tomatoes. Hoping for a good season this year. Last year was just sad when it came to gardening.

 Some volunteer peach trees. Not sure if they will produce viable fruit, but they should be pretty trees. Two are being given away - and we're working on a location for the one we're keeping.

 

Our compost bin has been very productive in cranking out good soil. We do our best to keep our worms happy. The apricot tree has quite a few marble-sized fruits. Would be thrilled if we got a half-dozen for this first harvest. Slightly new configuration for these bales. The ones with the trellises are the same, but we went for a U-shape this year. The pile of straw (with leaves mixed in) is watered regularly, and once we are back from our conference we'll look for some squash to plant in there. Main purpose for this is to build up the soil - and give us extra growing space. Bales will hold chile peppers, pear tomatoes, and maybe some spinach and chard.

 

This hesperaloe at front is an over achiever! I think it actually has 6 flowering stalks now. The lot in the background is (unfortunately) not ours. We would love to have it, but the owner doesn't seem interested in selling.

These three bales will probably have squash - maybe some winter squash. We love acorn, spaghetti and butternut squash - we just haven't had a lot of success in growing them. We love our rain barrels! We have three and need two more - we'll get there.

Last year's bales remains. We didn't want to throw it all in the regular compost pile at once, so we piled it here and are keeping it watered. It has already compacted significantly. We'll have to find a new home soon, as this is the spot for a new patio...eventually.

The xeriscaped portion of our back yard. Texas ranger in the back (we used to have 2, but one died), yuccas (red, yellow, and Brake Light), purple sage, globe mallow (2 varieties), and a pinion pine (Christmas tree from several years past).

 

Our backyard over achiever.

Asparagus patch hasn't worked out so well. Not sure what we're going to do with this patch.

 

The wall of wine bottles will eventually be built into a bottle wall and will serve to baffle the noise from the heat pump. We will be putting in a side-yard patio where the pile of straw now rests. This will expand our outdoor-living options, especially since this is the south side of the house, which means little summer sun.

The mint is making a slow comeback this year. I haven't re-potted it in ages, so it is probably feeling the squeeze. I've added that to my list.

 

This cute little finch slowed down just long enough for me to take this picture. This feeder is by our front/side patio.