June 25

The AeroGarden uses about $6.00 a month in electricity.

We got the first electric bill after set=up recently and that is confirmed.  I checked with our new energy efficiency specialist, Nick, to be sure it would not cost an arm and a leg to grow lovely basil.  These plants are doing far better than the herbs out in the garden as it has been cool and wet.  Found the first slug in the arugula yesterday.

Have to keep this right next to the Aero Garden as the house is on the cool side and three basil plants have already died.

The lettuces, however are loving this weather!

Side yard,now all cleaned up!

Rhubarb.  Getting ready for a 2nd harvest.

Tree out front, pruned and happy now with a soon-to-be rock garden for the lilies which were mailed from VT

Happy Solstice 2011!

It is hard to believe it is not officially summer yet since the kids have been out of school since early May and we have nearly 22 hours of daylight.  The nights are white except for about two hours.  Reminds me of that film set in Russia called White Nights with Mikhail Baryshinikov, Isabella Rossellini, and Gregory somebody.  So it is a good reminder to look at the date also because I think it has been quite cool and cloudy. 

The Irish one has done quite a bit of work on both the back and front yards.  They look quite nice and here are some photos.  Unfortunately many of the plants are not doing well as it really is cool.  Not quite 45 out there today and it is mid-day.

We have harvested one crop of rhubarb which I cooked down and froze and also made salsa, a savory dish.  Almost time for another harvest.

Today is Father's Day.  The Irish and I will have a special dinner of shrimp and steak bbq'd, not because it is Father's Day, but because it is the only afternoon we have to spend together.  I always look forward to it.

Crystal inspecting her purchases.

Cheryl.

There is a small firepit, just visible.

The arch, will go between the beds with

climbing morning glories.

Crystal and Cheryl, greenhousing!

The bed frame is our pea trellis now!