This is the second summer for our "new" garden and things are filling in nicely. Of course, it's nowhere near our dream environment yet, but the MulchMaid feels progress is definitely being made.Above, adding an oddly tropical note in the Northwest garden this summer is a giant zucchini plant (is there any other kind?) They need room and we still have some.
The arctostaphylos uva ursi has covered a lot of the ground, and the salal gets bigger almost daily. Plus, everyone seems happy and healthy.
The Northwest Territory looking from the south. We want to do something with the remaining red concrete one of these days. Has anyone had experience with sandblasting paint off concrete?
On the weekend, I dove into the thick Northwest garden area to harvest our first two cueball squash. And as I looked south from the northernmost part of the garden, I had a glimpse of the look we have been working toward:
It's a green tangle of Northwest native trees and shrubs that obscures all our neighbors' windows from view. And as I look from here, it's really starting to happen.
The cue ball squash are gorgeous! How will you prepare them? So do I understand that the last photo is looking back toward your house? It looks fabulous, you've been busy!
ReplyDeleteAt first I thought the cue ball squashes were melons. What beauties! I think I have that exact basket they are resting in! :)
ReplyDeletedg, we sliced them crosswise and grilled them. Not a complete success: they are fairly watery. With the next I will scoop out the seedy part which gets kind of slimy when cooked and try sauteeing them with tomatoes and onions.
ReplyDeleteYes, that view is one I hadn't appreciated until now: it is looking south toward the house and makes the place look very lush!
Cynthia, it is a new variety I read about in Horticulture so when I saw it at Portland Nursery I decided to give it a try. They may not edge out zucchini in the long run, though.
Wow, it looks awesome! I remember that yard when it was two-dimensional!
ReplyDeleteThe squash look wonderful! They would be good scooped out, filled with feta, garlic and olive oil (and maybe some capers) and roasted - that might evaporate the liquid. I've done this with butternut squash.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog and for your supportive comments about the trees.
It looks amazing, I can't believe it's only year two. You are apparently doing all the right things to get your garden established.
ReplyDeleteLooks great! I spend so much time in my garden and it doesn't look a tenth as good as yours.
ReplyDeleteVA