Just when I thought the planting was complete for this season, another box of "Live Plant Materials" was delivered this morning. It was from a company HG had not used before, and he was anxiously anticipating this particular shipment of cabbage plants, lilies, and pumpkin "trees". Having been bitterly disappointed in the condition of plants shipped from well-known companies in the past, he was thrilled when he opened his box this morning and found the plants beautifully green and moist in their protective packaging. Here is a shot of the cabbage plants; Teddy the omnivorous cat approves.
We've had lots of visitors to our garden in the past 2 weeks: friends, family members, lots of rain, and critters. The ground hog (Nemesis) or one of his descendants has returned following a 2-year absence. HG thought he was rid of the pest at last, but it seems the war will begin again (cue menacing music). A family of very cute but destructive rabbits has been chewing on the hollyhocks and my pansies planted along the side of the house. One day HG had a present for me on the front porch - a freshly shed snake skin - and 2 days later found the shiny youngster slithering around in the grass behind the main garden. It was a 3 foot long milk snake, and a welcome visitor despite most people's reaction, as it will take care of smaller vermin like mice and voles. I don't think I'd welcome a snake big enough to threaten the ground hog...
