Tomato vines are done

Image by pictoscribe via FlickrWell, the tomato vines are finally done. They have turned brown all the way to the top, so it is time to pull them out and see what else we can put there. The Fall is planting time here in LA, so I need to hit the nursery and get some ideas.

We didn't get many tomatoes from our 3 plants, but I suspected as much, as the location didn't seem to get enough direct sun during the day. The mature trees shade the house and garden quite a bit, so growing food stuffs is a little difficult.

Still, Rosanne really liked having fresh tomatoes around, so I will have to look for a better growing location for next year.

Cleanup is a neverending process

Image by Grufnik via FlickrLife has kept me from the garden a lot lately, but this morning's cool temperatures drew me outside to engage in a little garden cleanup. I hate when the front garden starts to look ratty, as that is the face you present to the world. I had grass sprouting in beds, lantana over-running everything and some windblown litter from the street, so that area immediately drew my attention.

My back is not allowing my long stints in the garden, but within the course of an hour, with help from my wife, I cleaned out the area, and removed some wayward nut grass from along the driveway. We ended up filling our green garden bed with the weeds and associated leaves that had collected there, so we got a small sense of accomplishment there. There is still so much to do, but I try to do a little bit at a time so I don't end up regretting it the next day.

I hope the weather stays cool so I will continue to be inclined to work in the garden. There is so much that needs to be done. I have some grand ideas for rejuvenating some more of the existing beds, but they require cool days so we don't feel like we are going to melt.

Fall Paperwhites

Fall Paperwhites
Originally uploaded by dewelch

These bulbs starting pushing their way out of the leaf little this week. it is always so odd to see bulbs in the Fall, but they are anticipating our Fall rains and sense the shorter days and cooler temps, I guess.

Weird weather here. A day or 2 in teh high 60's, then a couple of days in the 90's but dropping to the 50's at night. Fall and Spring are a little wild everywhere, I guess, even here in the (supposed) Land without Seasons.

Rain has passed us by

I was so excited to think we might get some rain today. We haven't seen any here in Los Angeles since about last February and I am so ready for Fall. The Summer heat has lasted longer than I wanted and I am ready for a change.

Today's storm was supposed to being a little moisture, but looking at the radar it appears that is went around us on the north and east. This happens all the time. I assume it is the configuration of the mountains and the air currents that break up the weaker storms before they can get into the San Fernando Valley where I am.

Oh well, I guess it is time to do the rain dance a little longer this year and keep the drip and soaker systems running.

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