Pot luck

​I bought theses pots at Home Depot over a year ago...

Cute right? They look fab on the deck here's another photo of them I took via instagram:​

They are so bright and pretty,  I just love them.  The trouble is, I want one or two more and I can't find them ANYWHERE.  Every garden /outdoor store on earth seems to now only carry things in ugly ass maroon, forest green or fake natural colors like "terra cotta" and "weathered stone."

Who wants fake weathered stone planters anyway? Are we building a faux Tuscan villa in Vegas? NO.​

We live in a tiny 1940's cottage in Berkeley, we need cute non-faux stone pots. Any ideas where I can find some? Should I just buy the ugly pots and paint them? If yes, with what paint? ​

I need help people, this situation is urgent and pressing!​

Native calling

Sometimes I think the idea that planting natives and only natives in your garden is the morally 'right' thing to do is total bullshit.​ I mean as long as I am not planting invasive plants like Ivy or Bamboo or Acaia Trees why do I have to stick to natives? Most natives in Northern California are thistle-y or in the 'grasses' category.

BUT, even I have to admit this  purple pincushion I planted last year is pretty awesome, and it's native, and the butterflies really dig it!  So we are keeping it, and I just might be inspired to try a few more 'native' plants this year!

Ps. are you impressed with my live action wildlife shot? I couldn't believe I caught it, wildlife is so not usually my thing.​

Strange things afoot

Did you guys know that asparagus erupts out of the ground fully formed?​

Me neither!​ But that is how it is growing. We've had about 15 spears come up this season and it's been pretty amazing. For anyone in Northern California that is looking for something cool to put in their garden this is definitely it.  

Cucumber follies

​But seriously....

This structure is in no way massively overkill for the teeny tiny 2” high cucumber plants I bought.  Speaking of which yesterday I discovered that I do not know the difference between feet and inches. ( “  or ‘ )  Which is why Simon had to build this huge structure.  I picked up the cucumber plants and thought it said “Plant 6 inches a part” when what it actually said was “Plant 6’ a part.” 

The ‘ means feet not inches apparently. I hate math.

And so these tiny plants can not go in a wine barrel like I had planned, instead they go in the ground on an enormous wooden structure that looks like a cross between a giant loom and a hangman’s gallows. Is it dominating the yard? Yes. Is it kinda ugly? Yes. WIll it inevitably  piss off Bertie?  Yes.

And so it stays.​