our yard

Natural Splendour of the Arrow Lakes

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Wednesday’s Video

After the Rain

Today I am going to walk you through our yard and garden. You can describe the property as still being in the semi-wild state not typically found on the manicured lawns of city dwellers. After a brief look at our backyard, we enter the garden, which I have downsized by using only raised garden beds, a more age-appropriate gardening method for one approaching the octogenarian stage in life. Then we follow the rapid climb of our youngest son’s hops plants. It reached the present height in less three weeks holding the absolute growth record of all our plants. After looking at the blooming blackberry bushes, we are making a tour around my wife’s art studio with an apple, plum and pear orchard and fire pit area surrounding it. I also would like you to see the rose that finally made its appearance, coming in last after the magnolia, azalea and lilac flowers. Enjoy.

Our Yard and Garden in the first Week of Summer

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Photo Gallery to Mark the Beginning of Summer

Please note that this post will be the last one, until I resume my work in September. I would like to thank all my followers for their valuable input, most encouraging comments and likes during the first six months of my blog’s existence. For any newcomer dropping in there is a lot of viewing and reading material during the summer break. See you all back in the fall!

Our Quaint Little House in the Spring
Cherries Ripening under Ideal Conditions Promising a Bumper Crop

Four Seasons Journey Through Our Yard – Part III

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Four Weeks Later – What a Difference!

You may wish to go back to the previous post that showed the difference of two weeks. What the pictures show below is the contrast between April 12 and May 12 in our yard. The next comparison will happen in a month, when we will be approaching the beginning of summer here in Fauquier, British Columbia.

set 1set 2set 4set 3set 5

On the very last picture you can see the blossoms of the Grafenstein apple trees, which we will harvest in September. They produce the biggest and sweetest apples in the Kootenays. The only drawback is that they don’t keep too long. If all goes well with the weather this year, we will have a bumper crop.

Four Seasons Journey Through Our Yard – Part II

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Two Weeks Later – What a Difference!

FrontNot too much change is noticeable here except for the greening of the little bush on the left. The tulips in front of the house are gradually replacing the daffodils.

Side ViewOn the wild hazelnut and maple trees the tender light-green foliage – two weeks ago barely visible – is becoming dense and is preparing to provide shade for the summer.

shedThe cherry tree behind the shed is beginning to show off its white flowery dress, while the plowed garden plot in the background is still waiting to be planted. Frost is still a menace at the beginning of May.

orchardIn our mini orchard the filbert bush is no longer bare, while the apple and pear trees seem to say, ‘Just wait ten more days and we will put our splendid aromatic blossoms on display.’

StudioOnly sharp eyes will detect the rich colors of the tulips. But the plum tree, which produces the biggest, roundest, and juiciest fruits in the fall, clearly marks  the difference  of two weeks with its blossoms.