Despite the heat, September finds my garden well. First off: the barrel pond. I had no idea water plants grew so fast. The water lettuce keeps multiplying, and multiplying. It is having sooo much sex in that water. I have to remove some every few days, to keep it from blanketing the entire surface. I got sick of throwing so much away (at Armstrong, they cost $4 per tiny plant), so I bought a bowl-shaped pot just for water lettuce. It’s nice, but soon they grew to cover that too. Now my compost bin is filling up with the stuff (P.S., I bought a compost bin. Hooray!)
Even the water hyacinth, which was once a small thing, has become ginormous. The water lily I planted at the bottom now has several pads floating at the top. With the fountain pump going, and all the plant life, the water stays crystal clear. Currently the pond is supporting three large goldfish and a few small minnows. I named the goldfish after rivers I’ve enjoyed: Seine, Huangpu, and Snake. They’re happy goldfish, I’d like to think. And they eat out of my hand.
As for the rest of the garden, I’ve recently come to appreciate the importance of mulching. With the triple digit heat, it goes a long way to retain moisture in the soil, keeping the surface from drying up so fast, and it keeps down weeds. Also, it looks great with the right mulch. Here’s a few photos of my plants:
This mantis likes to practice its forms high up in the blueberry bush. It’s always there, staring at me as I water.
Check out this moth. It’s huge! Look at that tongue! Where did it come from? When did my backyard become some kind of freaky jungle where moths of this size hang out? I found it struggling on the patio one night and, like a good paparazzi, took a photo at its most vulnerable moment. Eventually, after thoroughly depriving the creature its dignity with my flashing camera, I flipped it over and sent it on its way.
Oh, and here’s Sam in a bucket.
Comment 1: I laugh with the mental image of you contemplating aquatic plant sex.
Comment 2: Yes it has been hot lately…why here in West L.A. it got all the way up to 90 or something!! *ducks flying shoes*
Comment 3: Clearly I am jealous that I can’t have a garden of my own…my potted stevia plant seems to have died too…woe
You get to be jealous of having a garden, but I definitely get to be jealous of your proximity to the ocean.
Alas, I am still mighty jealous of your garden. I long for the day to own a home and the gardening that would ensue. Great job in working water and fishes into your garden. You’ve done some Asians proud!
First of all that moth is effing huge. It’s like a bird moth or moth bird. It’s a mutant. Second of all, how cool you have a praying mantis chilling in your garden. They are my all time favorite insect!