The weather has been so mild (January!) that I decided to move the 2 Meyer Lemons outside into the little greenhouse. I read somewhere that they are actually hardy down to 26 degrees, so I thought I'd give it a go. They are definitely not happy in the kitchen where it is too warm and dry. I moved them out about a week ago and so far, they seem happy.

 

 

I also removed the 5 tiny lemons growing on the larger one. The branches are still too green to support much weight and it just seemed like it would make more sense to sacrifice them now for better. stronger branch growth.

January Growth

The very mild day temperatures have produced some growth in the I.G. I took these today - just January 20th.

Baby Lamb's Ears

Out with old Iris stalk; in with a new one

New green on a Grosso lavender plant

Lupine "Galleria Yellow" made it through the winter!

Iceberg Rose sending out shoots

Lilacs

Peace Rose

Spring in January

The weather so far has been amazing. Night time temps go down into the 30's and 40's but the daytime temps have been been close to 50 degrees everyday. Some rain, but also plenty of spring-like sunny days. I've been taking pictures of the many faces of our west view toward the sound.

New Year's Day: Frost, Freeze and Sun

The new year - the fourth since the beginnings of this garden - has started off super cold and sunny. Beautiful! I am reminded of one gardener's advice to enjoy the frost because it kills off bacteria, slugs and fungus and makes what would otherwise be mucky soil walkable.

I took a few pictures around the yard and garden this morning, to show how things are getting along in the cold.

Baby Italian Cypress

Baby Italian Stone Pine

The Italian Garden viewed from the arbor

Baby sweet bay 

One of the recently planted Little Ollies

Skyrocket Juniper

View of the Italian Garden toward the arbor

Front yard facing west