Tulips!

Firstly, I wanted to thank everyone who left a note of condolence or concern about the death of our chickens. It really meant a lot to me, and we had a nice, little chicken funeral beneath the 'Fairy' rose. We buried Penelope with some of her favourite things such as 5-grain scratch, various berries, some dandelion leaves and a few squash blossoms. The grave was decorated with several of hers and Drucilla's feathers, and we have plans to relocate our purple 'Jeanette' Passion Flower above the grave as a sort of marker.

Over the past weekend, I purchased some Tulip bulbs in anticipation for Spring gardening. I love all of the colour and beauty that appears in the garden in Autumn, but this can't always compare with the excitement I feel waiting for the Spring. I'm sure some of you can relate!

Here are the names and images (not taken by me) of some of the bulbs we have purchased. I have planted many of these in pots to overwinter, and have mulched them well with straw, fish emulsion and new soil. I can't wait to see what Spring brings!

'Holland Chic'

'Purissima'

'Purple Flag'

'Mount Tacoma'

'Don Quichotte'

'Negrita'

       ' Purple Prince'

'Ollioules'

Lastly, something called 'Purple Mix' which only vaguely resembles this, but features two varieties of solid purple tulip (probably 'Negrita' and 'Queen of Night'), one solid white tulip, and a mottled lavender and white variety. I wish there were the Parrot tulips included, alas!

A Sad Day at Tiny Green Cottage

Today's blog post doesn't bring any new photographs or good news to share; though I felt it necessary to update regardless.

Yesterday afternoon, we discovered that two of our hens were the victims of a raccoon attack. I suppose these things are common.... particularly in urban areas, though after three years of rearing hens I somehow assumed we would never have such a sad thing happen to us.

Drucilla and Penelope in happier days!

Drucilla, the Ameracauna and Penelope, the Barred Rock were killed in our back yard while both my husband and I were away at work. Drucilla was dragged away, and Penelope was left dead in the side yard.

Despite fences and other precautionary measures, the raccoon still managed to find his way into the pen and kill two hens while wounding the comb and eye of Rosemary, our Silver-Laced Wyandotte. She appears to be fine, though her eye looks like it hurts. I am hoping she doesn't lose her vision.

Thanks to a trusted neighbour, my husband was able to come home in time to secure the pen and save the rest of the flock. Thank goodness for good neighbors and loud hens!

This week's project will involve a re-vamping of the chicken run area, and a thorough securing of the side fences. We are assumming that the raccoon got in because of regular wear and tear to this access point which is pictured above. Let this sad day be a reminder for all of you out there to critter-proof your chicken runs before cold autumn weather brings forth more roaming wildlife!

Happy First Day of Summer!

Many things are changing in the garden now, and the Potager and Herb Gardens are going full-force! We again have 'June Gloom' but that doesn't stop the garden from thriving!

The Borage which has naturalized has finally bloomed. I'm freezing the flowers in ice cubes!

Tomatillos are thriving despite all of the rain. I will make a massive batch of Salsa Verde when they ripen and we will eat like Kings throughout the winter!

Is this not the most darling head of Broccoli you've ever seen? We've had some problems with Aphids in the past, but this year doesn't seem as bad.

Jerusalem Artichoke.

Red and Yellow Onions.

Carrots and an Artichoke.

I love this shot of our Nasturtiums. You can pickle their seeds and substitute for capers. Just be sure to save some seeds for companion planting!

Happy Potager.

Poppy Pod.

The Girls on a rare day out. They love to scratch around the compost heap and pick out bugs.

A cheery 'Oriental' Poppy pokes itself out amidst the Catmint!

And I'm not sure how this happened, but there is a bird feather in the Poppy itself!

We have this Nightshade which has naturalized along the back fence. It has pretty flowers and red berries which the chickens love to eat. All parts of the plant are poisonous and birds are the only critters which can safely digest the berries.

Rhubarb is winding down for the season.

Green Onion seed pod. We eat a lot of Green Onions throughout the years, so we always save seeds. You can even start new plants from the leftover roots from purchased plants, and they will cycle through one or two more stalks!

I will be picking this Cauliflower before it heats up too much and makes the head bitter. I'll be pickling it!

The three main beds are taking off.

We have a jungle of peas...

Fava (Broad) beans...

And Beets!

Potatoes are also blooming.

I couldn't resist posting another shot of my 'Lettuce Leaf' Poppy.

Here is a purple one about to bloom.

We also have Johnny Jump-Ups/Heartsease naturalizing in one of our flower beds.

Wee Apples are growing on our Espalier tree.

Biscuit is hiding behind our cute lime tree.

Francine looks lovely among the Spanish Lavender. Isn't she just the sweetest?

I remember this particular Foxglove being much taller last year. I think we had way more sun to make it happy.

Here is a Variegated Catmint that is flowering. The cats don't seem to like this one very much, so I use the leaves for tea.

I'm in love with how our herb garden looks! A lot of things are flowering now, like this Hyssop.

My newly planted garden in front of the fence looks happy.

And I love my Black Hollyhocks.

The Sage is huuuuuge!

Cheery Chamomile has naturalized like the Borage. I don't mind these visitors at all and let them roam freely throughout the yard.

Peppermint and Lavender make natural bedfellows.

Here is a Curry plant.

A lovely red Lily blooming in the strawberry bed.

And 'Black Magic' Roses.

The center bed is still exploding! Notice all my pansies.

I am still harvesting Spinach and Kale from these beds! Sorry so blurry.

I love these Dutch Iris which seem to all flower at once!

And my late-June trio; Foxglove, Roses and Delphinium are still going strong!

My much beloved Sweet Peas have finally made their entrance in the little window boxes.

This Carrot is already flowering.

And here is one day's worth of Peas collected!

Beet greens are beautiful...

Penelope approves!

Happy Summer!