Meyer Lemons are Ready for Squeezing

I love this time of year for citrus.  My Meyer Lemons have ripened and there are a few blossoms ready to set lemons for next season.  I'll be baking up a few goodies like lemon crinkle cookies and lemon pound cake.

A Study of a Spider's Web on a Dewy January Morning

Looking closely to find the spider which created this work of art but found nothing.

Dew on a Blade of Grass

An early morning in the garden after a heavy dose of dew reveals a funnel web spider has been busy creating his vortex shaped web overnight.  The entire lawn is green and because of the dew, this web which is horizontal and parallel to the ground stands out.

The Giant Redwoods are In Cahoots with the Tree Fern in My Backyard.

This tree fern is hiding a very big surprise!  If you look closely in the center, you will see the surprise is peeking through the fronds.

Hello seeding of a GIANT REDWOOD TREE! 

Your needles are lovely, dense and green.

Three large, tall redwoods exist on the property behind our townhouse in Northern California.  One of them shared a seed or a sprout under a tree fern on our small parcel (30'x30') of land and it went unnoticed until its crown popped out through the fronds. 

Darling now, but this tree has a habit of growing over 350 feet tall...and living 2000 years. 

Late Season Watermelon

In California, a late season stroll through the garden will reveal the tenaciousness of Mother Nature.  She will produce until sun and season make it impossible.

Blue Daze

Closed for the night

Open Bloom During Daylight Hours

I just added blue daze as a ground cover in a newly planted bed.  These are amazingly tiny blooms which pack alot of blue color. 

Also, the blooms open in the sunlight and then close as the sunlight ebbs.

Signs the Hornworm Caterpillar Is Munching your Tomato Plants

Here he is.  I found him after the telltale signs were spotted. 

Stem of the tomato plant devoid of an leaves.  That's a sure sign the hornworm caterpillar is munching on your plants.

Black droppings on the ground or leaves.

 I first spotted the bare stem, saw the droppings.  I knew the hornworm caterpillar was somewhere on my plant.  It took a full five minutes of searching to find him but I did.  And after removing the one leaf/stem he was hanging out on (with garden scissors), I tossed him away.  Many gardeners enjoy the smashing of this critter, but I put mine in the trash.

Beautiful Day to Explore the Succulents Growing at Dana Point Harbor

Great groupings of these succulents.