The fig tree produced only a handful of fruit last year. In contrast, this year has been the biggest harvest ever. I discovered I don't need to net the entire tree, only the fruits that are beginning to ripen. Net bags that farmer's market oranges are packed in work well to protect the fruit from birds, rats, raccoons, squirrels, and possums. Everyone around here likes figs.
I must also mention the roses. Despite steady heat, they are doing very well. Most are long established now. The recent 'Cinco de Mayo' which I plucked from the Lowe's Death Rack a couple of years ago is finally looking pretty. Last year the flowers were dreadful. They have improved significantly.
Then there are the Urginea maritima bulbs. There are three bulbs (where originally there was one) and two are blooming. Urginea are unusual in that they split into multiple bulbs from the top, rather than from the base. This year the flowers are particularly pretty. Last year was a dud (like the fig tree, and 'Cinco de Mayo').
Here's to continued improvement! I did think nothing in a garden could be as cute as Lila, our "Favorite Plant Of The Week" host's resident Garden guardian, but Natasha never ventures into the garden--she's not allowed. Wisely, she spends hot summer days napping on cool stone floors.
Boris would rather sulk. He's dreaming of digging out all kinds of plants and ripping them apart and then eating them all and barfing them up and eating them again. He's not allowed in the garden, either. Wonder why?
OMG! great post. Just love the story of Boris digging things up, eating inappropriate non foodstuffs then of course barfing them up, (in the house on the carpets?) Such a brat. LOL
ReplyDeleteYour fig tree is marvelous and I'm very jealous. Interesting that it seems to fruit in cycles. My Mountain Ash tree is like that too. Last year it had very few berries and this year there are so many the tree is bent over with the weight of the fruit. (Reminds me that I need to get a picture of that) Unlike your fig tree I left this for the birds to forage on.. The tree was a volunteer planted by the birds. It is a hub of avian activity at the moment with quite a few birds feeding. They'll probably strip it bare in a matter of a couple weeks.
Many trees seem to cycle. Last year our orange tree gave us hundreds of pounds of wonderful oranges, this year we got 12 oranges. They need rests, too. Boris--I'm just happy he hasn't eaten anything yet that made him too sick. That is what I always worry about and why they cannot go in the garden.
DeleteNice that you have a tree that feeds so many birds. I'll look forward to seeing a picture of your Mountain Ash. I looked up that species--it looks like it is quite a pretty tree.
Beautiful figs! I've never eaten a fresh fig (well, maybe cooked or in a salad) but if I were a critter in reach of your tree I'd certainly want to at least take a bite!
ReplyDelete(Always love the puppy stories!)
I never ate fresh figs until our neighbors gave us some from their tree--then I had to have a tree of my own!
DeleteOh...now I understand why Boris and Natasha aren't in the garden. Bad Boris! Those Urginea maritima blooms are fab, I've lusted after the foliage at Rare Plant Research but never seen the blooms.
ReplyDeleteI love the photos on this page: http://luirig.altervista.org/flora/taxa/index1.php?scientific-name=urginea+maritima of them growing among the opuntia.
Cool photos! The foliage is wonderful also, like Agave attenuata with each leaf given a twist. Boris and Natasha may make it into the garden eventually. Just not quite yet. Boris has eaten so many Zwartzkop Aeoniums hanging over the wall...sigh.
DeleteAre Boris and Natasha banned from the garden for life, or only until they're out of their rambunctious teen years? Boris looks quite contrite in your photo. Thanks for the look at Urginea maritima - I've always coveted the foxtail lily and this looks to be a drought tolerant substitute that might actually grow for me.
ReplyDeleteBoris wanted to go out and play catch. He resents the camera. I've coveted Foxtail Lily also, but this is a very effective substitute, and no irrigation ever required.
DeleteThe Urginea is stunning.
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased that so far my mutt doesn't dig in the garden, but there is still time.
Not all dogs are so spoiled! B&N would love to give your mutt some helpful instruction on garden destruction.
DeleteNatasha looks lovable and comfortable on the cool stones, se even smiles while sleeping, but I adore that rascal of a Boris, he has such a cute face. By the way you the Urginea maritimas are wonderful! And so many figs this year, delicious.
ReplyDeleteI think with your baking talent Janneke you could make something wonderful with figs. Alas, here it is too hot to turn on the oven!
DeleteI love the starry look of your fig, but then I saw the Urginea maritima - wow! Like a virginal Eremuris, and spectacular! Such bad puppies, but so cute that I know you forgive them almost anything.
ReplyDeleteThat's true--we can't grow Eremurus successfully here, but Urginea are effortless. Amazing how many substitutes can be found. You have Gunnera, but we have Bismarkia...
DeleteI'm voting for Urginea Hoov..though the figs are mighty nice. And well , so is the rose. I'm sorry though that the puppies are banned from the garden..perhaps when they are more mature they can be trusted ? Under supervision of course ...
ReplyDeleteThe puppies will be good someday...maybe...with supervision.
DeleteThe rose is magnificent, such a beautiful colour, you have saved it. I don't know why these shops and nurseries are so wasteful with plants, it is awful to see them dying from neglect when just a little extra water would save them. If they don't sell they should just give them away. I'm am glad that you will have some fresh figs to enjoy, the birds, bats and possums love all of the fruits here.
ReplyDeleteThe puppies are so beautiful, good that they can keep cool on the stone floor. Yes, little Lila is very cute, your friend has some lovely plants.
xoxoxo ♡
I hate that many stores don't take care of the plants. It's ignorance, so many people know nothing at all about plants and cannot appreciate them.
DeleteAhhww Boris and Natasha are gorgeous! Ditto with the figs, everyone loves them here too and on most years we never get the chance to harvest any. That first photo looks great!
ReplyDeleteWouldn't want to get those beautiful white coats dirty. B & N were made for snow!
ReplyDelete