
This is the male fuzzy kiwi I got this winter to pollinate the two female fuzzy kiwis that I got two years ago and planted in half wine barrels. This wasn't meant to be their permanent resting spot and this year I will be putting all three in the ground to climb over a metal arbor around one of my garden gates. Hardy kiwis do more reliably well here in the Pacific Northwest but I couldn't resist the attempt to grow the bigger more well known variety. I had bought a male to go with the females and it died. So I know there is risk for them. I love the fuzzy growth on their stems- and in this male the coloring is really red! Some people have cute new lambs and kids to get excited over, I have male kiwis.



A lilac has a place in the kitchen garden just as all flowers do that attract beneficial insects. I wouldn't have chosen to plant a white one myself, but this one was already here and now I've come to enjoy its delicate coloring.
I've been clearing out my raised beds full of quack grass. This is no easy feat as I have let them really settle in. The first bed I worked on broke my shovel. Literally. My great lesson this year is to never let the quack grass completely take over any of my raised beds. It's almost time to plant out the summer vegetables like summer squash, tomatoes, corn (I don't grow any but many do), cucumbers, and all the other vegetables that need the soil to be warm before transplanting.
The lettuce I planted is coming up but not nearly as much as I planted, so that's disappointing. My peas and favas are up and climbing and looking really robust! I look forward to growing and eating peas and favas every year. I'm already planning the dishes I will make with them such as pasta with favas and peas and my constant favorite: grilled polenta and fava rounds which I usually serve with a marinara sauce and other grilled vegetables.
I'd love to know what's going on in your gardens too!
The lettuce I planted is coming up but not nearly as much as I planted, so that's disappointing. My peas and favas are up and climbing and looking really robust! I look forward to growing and eating peas and favas every year. I'm already planning the dishes I will make with them such as pasta with favas and peas and my constant favorite: grilled polenta and fava rounds which I usually serve with a marinara sauce and other grilled vegetables.
I'd love to know what's going on in your gardens too!
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