19 September 06

Pulling up Freeway Daisies

I’ve been clearing the area in front of the house for a herb garden, suggested a while ago by Nicole and seconded by many. The Arboretum plant sale is on October 7; I have time to plan and ponder.

Meanwhile, the first of a series of scans from the Europe sketchbook have been posted here.

Posted by at 08:05 PM in Gardening | Link |
  1. Great sketches Pica. I didn’t realise the wedding was a St George’s. Geoff wants me to take him there if we ever make it back it Madrid. My lettuces and chives are doing well in the potted garden i have…so far the snails haven’t discovered them. Good luck with the herb garden – what sorts of herbs will grow in your area?
    — Jenny    20. September 2006, 04:15    Link
  2. Jenny: the wedding was actually secular and at Boadilla del Monte, near Somosaguas. The blessing was three days later at St. George’s. I got into a right old argument with the sacristan (American, Republican) about the ordination of Gene Robinson.

    We live in an “extreme” Mediterranean climate so oregano and rosemary thrive here, as do artemisias. Thyme and basil also do well. If I do different compartments I can do different watering needs so parsely and tarragon etc. as well as mint should work. (I’ll need to put in some kind of barrier against pocket gophers and will need to be very vigilant against snails which have been eating the freeway daisies for over six years now, not that anyone cared.)
    — Pica    20. September 2006, 06:58    Link
  3. Sounds a bit similar to our climate. What about lavender? I haven’t succeeded in growing it but all my neighbours have huge bushes. Verbena is another plant that does quite well here. I have oregano but need to replant thyme and basil. Well done for having a “discussion” with the sacristan….my own church is a refuge for gay clergy who make stunning priests in my opinion and would make great Bishops (along with many women I know) if only given the chance.
    — Jenny    20. September 2006, 15:23    Link
  4. Aromatic mediterranean herbs – I can’t think of anything better. Looking forward to your drawings of the herb garden next year.
    — Jean    21. September 2006, 06:35    Link
  5. Pica, it’s great to see your sketches again but I miss holding the actual book in my hands and those little rectangles framing each image. Never mind, at least people can enjoy some of the flavour of your European journey through these lively “snapshots”.
    — Natalie    21. September 2006, 11:50    Link
  6. Before trying the arb sale, do make the trip to Morningsun Herb Farm in Vacaville, honest. The arb has a lot of collectors’ items but the mainstream stuff is trop cher and quickly gone. I used to volunteer. WHILE you’re buying, get a couple of artichoke plants to throw in with herbs, they’ll add structure and in Spring you’ll be SO happy. Nothing like a FRESH artichoke, they steam in 10 minutes (who knew?) Also now is the time to sprinkle chive and parsley seeds willy nilly.
    — Nicole    22. September 2006, 06:51    Link
  7. Thanks, all. The north wind is howling outside and makes me realize that in order for this to work I am going to need to construct a serious windbreak, probably using the noxious arundo that grows in the creek. It doesn’t have to be very tall.

    Nicole, I will go to the Herb Farm, have big plans for that! But I want to buy some natives to fill in, especially bunch grasses and Cali fuchsia. Great idea on the artichokes: they’re beautiful. The two I have in the vegetable garden seem to be reviving after the huge heatwaves but a) you can never have too many; b) they will help in wind protection too…
    — Pica    22. September 2006, 07:08    Link

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