Thursday's rain washed off over four months of accumulated dust from my garden, and perked up the plants a bit. Everything needs a good blowing and trimming. I refuse to do these tasks in the summertime, and I've neglected to call the landscape maintenance crew over to do it. Maybe next week. Everything moves slower in the heat, including me.
I don't know what to make of this Mourning Dove and its mate. They have been on this nest since mid-April, and so far there's been no babies. I would like to look in the nest to see if there are even any eggs. It's hard to believe that birds would sit all day with the temperatures up to 115ยบ F. or more for months on end. I'm beginning to realize the true meaning of 'bird-brained.'
Another view, looking east. I really need to get my block walls painted. It would really brighten up my landscape, but it's hard to continue to put more money into my property with the real estate values dropping so much. In my immediate area, the property values have dropped over 45 percent!
The Opuntia engelmannii (Engelmann’s Prickly Pear) pears are ripening nicely. I'll be able to make some Prickly Pear vinaigrette by mid-August.
This rusty sentinel near the barbecue grill looks out over my desert garden at sunset. 
17 comments:
It's a beautiful garden, Aiyana
I agree with Muppet. Your graden really looks great. It must be tough maintaining it in a desert.
Awwwwwwww, the the Palo Verde Tree in your photo [2nd from last]. Brings back my fond memories of living in Tucson. And my walks through the desert.
My G T Sunday is posted too. If you have time, won't you drop by?
i am so glad u dropped by my blog so i had a chanz to visit yrs. it is so interesting.so different from my tall lush wild grass kind of garden.
It's great to see the whole garden... You've created a space that really seems to 'fit' into your part of the world. It's very beautiful.
And the cactus fruit reminds me that I said I was going to post Mom's recipe for Prickly Pear Jelly on my blog and never did it... so I'm off to look that up.
Aiyana, it is very beautiful. I couldn't see the walls you were talking about painting. I love the dry bed stream.~~Dee
So different from Toronto. Ha!
I played too :)
Your yard is just amazing! It looks like you have a decent amount of shade with all your plants/trees. My boys would love the bird nest! I also agree with you about everything moving slower in the summertime! I have to go out there today to do some work and I am just dreading it. It is supposed to be a high of 95 with humidity around 60%...yikes!
What a gorgeous landscape, you've made it so beautiful! So very different from our coastal gardens!
Your garden is just inspirational! It is so natural appearing, yet I can imagine all the time that goes into it! I love the tin man- darling!
I love your rusted steel sentinel. Thats great! Your garden is beautiful. I can only imagine how hot it must be there now and I don't blame you for not wanting to do a bit of garden maintenance in that heat. Call the pros!
As for the Mourning doves .. maybe they are just staying in the nest because it appears to be shaded a bit?
Great pictures. Thanks for your visit(s). :)
Thanks for the comment! To answer your question about our growing season; everything should be done producing by the middle of September if we're lucky. Our average first freeze date is Oct 26, but that seems pretty early considering the last few years. Everything is behind atleast 3 weeks, so I'm hoping I'll still have things growing in September. Congratulations on the rain by the way!
Aiyana, I so enjoy your garden views. You've created such a restful but interesting view from any point. I love the sense of destination and space.
It is fun to see your garden, it is wonderful!
looking at the photo I think the wall is better left unpainted. It blends into the landscape. I think painted it would become the focal point and take the eye away from the plantings.
Do you think the Doves are trapped by instinct and sitting on eggs? It would be a favor to disturb them and remove any if that's the case. I hear brooding so long is a sign of depression. Maybe they need to make an appointment to see a quack. My hours are....
What a wonderful post! Now I am REALLY homesick for AZ!!
Great garden views. Ooh, paint that wall! I'd love to see it glowing behind your plants. I'm sorry to hear that home values are depreciating so precipitously, but if that means you're staying put for a while then at least you'll have the enjoyment of the painted wall, right?
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