Four o’clocks and gladiolas
It seems like only a few weeks ago I was waiting for it to be warm enough to go camping. Now I’m waiting for it to be cool enough again!
The last of the white gladiolas
In the meantime, I’m enjoying low-key summer puttering with flowers and a few veggies.
Something wiped out my tomatoes. I didn’t plant resistant varieties and they didn’t fare well. So I’m planting more tomorrow. I sure am glad we have such a long growing season!
Pink gladiolas
Also I had read that bell peppers will occasionally have a genetic flashback and produce hot peppers. What are the odds of both of my container peppers doing the same thing? They are too fiery to eat, so I’m planning to dehydrate some tomorrow for sparing use in dishes that need a little added kick.
I also want to get a fall vegetable garden going soon. I sure do miss my home-grown lettuce! It had all bolted when we got back from our trip to Modoc.
Dianthus
Tinycamper's Blog 
judilyn
/ July 3, 2014What exactly does “bolted” mean when it comes to lettuce? I know it means “spoiled” in some way, but not sure how.
Virtual hugs,
Judie
LikeLike
Sharon
/ July 3, 2014Judie, it means they’ve sent up a tall stalk prior to flowering and the lettuce becomes very bitter. They do that when it gets too hot. They lasted until it got into the 90’s though, so that’s pretty amazing since lettuce is a cool-weather plant!
LikeLike
judilyn
/ July 3, 2014Thanks for the education! ;->
LikeLike
John
/ July 3, 2014Your flowers look beautiful! I’m sure enjoying the wild flowers in Washington and Oregon. With all the wet, cool weather they’ve lasted much longer than I expected.
LikeLike
Sharon
/ July 3, 2014How I would love to enjoy beautiful flowers in cool weather! I love flower gardens, but I think I love masses of wildflowers better. 🙂
LikeLike
cozybegone
/ July 3, 2014My dad would bring my mom glads home all summer…. lv them. Too bad lettuce isn’t a hot weather grower, as well as radishes and peas. Those potatoes didn’t care about anything 🙂 Happy 4th….cheers to freedom!!
LikeLike
Sharon
/ July 3, 2014Sweet about your dad bringing glads home to your Mom. Dad planted some for Mom because he believed that you should never buy flowers without roots. 😀
LikeLike
Judy Crankshaw
/ July 3, 2014So happy to see a post from you again! We’re not baking up here in Michigan – but we may drown. It just won’t quit raining. Uncle!! Hope you get a break from the heat soon. Or, bring your water wings and head north.
LikeLike
Sharon
/ July 3, 2014Judy, I noticed on the Doppler map that your area was showing some colorful activity. Hope you get a break soon. I’d love to head that way someday if I could interest hubby, but hopefully sans water wings. 🙂
LikeLike
pshermanfl
/ July 3, 2014I love your flower pictures! We have only just started our flower garden here but I hope some day to have displays like yours!
LikeLike
Sharon
/ July 3, 2014You will–and even better! 🙂
The four o’clocks self seed and grow like weeds and the gladiola bulbs keep coming back every year without lifting. Even after our record cold winter. I usually plant some annuals for continuous color. You are planting some nice perennials that will reward you for years to come.
LikeLike
Horst
/ July 3, 2014SUPER photo’s ..really like the Dianthus…we have the same problem with tomatoes…and they only take one bite and leave them….have a Happy and safe 4th…Horst sends
LikeLike
Sharon
/ July 3, 2014You have a great 4th, too, Horst!
LikeLike
Jo
/ July 3, 2014Your flowers are so beautiful. I never heard or knew that about the bell peppers.
All my flowers are pretty much dead from the heat. Some are hanging on but not very pretty.
Have a wonderful 4th.
LikeLike
Sharon
/ July 4, 2014Hi, Jo. The heat is intense here, but we have been getting plenty of rain, so that helps.
You have a wonderful holiday, too!!! 🙂
LikeLike
lynne
/ July 4, 2014Love the photos…flowers are so beautiful….it’s amazing how little effort it takes for so many of them. I have 4 o clocks also….they can be quite invasive.
Small bits of progress here….been painting paneling….so out of touch with the camping world!
LikeLike
Sharon
/ July 4, 2014Lynne, I am so glad to hear from you. I was concerned about you. Glad to hear that you are making progress and hope you are not working yourself too hard.
LikeLike
Gerri Jones
/ July 5, 2014You slipped a blog post in on me…I didn’t have a message in my email. Your flowers are just beautiful!! Don’t the Four O’clocks attract Hummingbirds? I love my “hummers” and like to plant flowers that attract them.
We keep wanting to go camping but the temps are just not cooperating!! I have also had to have my blood test (INR) done weekly lately and that holds us back. Hope to get out soon.
I hope you guys had a great 4th of July!!
LikeLike
Sharon
/ July 5, 2014Gerri, I haven’t noticed hummers around the four o’clocks. That could be because there are so many hummingbird feeders in the area.
We are not even thinking of going anywhere until cooler weather gets here. Hopefully we will be more adventurous next year.
Hope they get your blood levels stabilized soon. Looking forward to seeing new posts from you!
LikeLike