Late Frost

Tuesday, June 01, 2021   (June’s fullest moon [the “Strawberry”] rises in 23 days, on the 24th.)

Last week brought Central Oregon several freezing nights and chilly days. This spring, for the first time I’ve no outside job, and so, have been digging in the earth and installing beautiful plants.

Some froze, and there aren’t photos of those that lost much, and maybe all, of their lives. Seeing their sorry state was my sad experience. But now the weather is warmer and I’m not digging up plants stricken last week, but hoping for regenerations.

It’s happening now and some that at first appeared dismal are reviving. Here’s a daisy that got hit but is surviving. A first flower just now has opened and more are on the way.

Other young plants are surviving.

When I lived in Los Angeles, my garden included an English Lavender. The infant plant grew into a beautiful large hedge that issued delightful scents. Here in Central Oregon, I spotted a brilliant blue-purple baby plant in a local garden shop and knew my garden would have a spot for it.

Before moving to Oregon I knew nothing about rhubarb. My new house here came with a small garden in which grew a mature rhubarb, a gorgeous plant. In a short time I became too busy to care for the garden and sad to say, everything died.

This time around had to include a rhubarb! In fact, I planted two. When the freeze hit, I knew from earlier experience that rhubarbs are cold-hardy. This baby and its like-companion survived and still are healthy.

My new garden includes baby snapdragons, violets, marigolds, irises, various hedges and ornamental grasses. If all these plants survive, some will become dug up later and moved to spaces large enough for them to spread and thrive.

Now about Maxwell, newly out of the house. In early April, after he did-in a couple of baby bunnies, poor Max found himself sequestered throughout April and May. At first he argued and became depressed, but he’s a cool guy and adjusted. Max hardly dreamed, until he got pushed from under the bed covers, that he’d again be invited to go outside.

My garden is in a desert-like environment where an area damp and with plants naturally invites wildlife. I will keep a close eye on Mr. Max.

Dear Friends: My baby chickens have doubled in size, they’re a cute, sweet, and fun flock. Diana