The shade bed is at its peak

With both types of astilbes blooming, this bed is at its best.

Worm bin set up

The first section of my worm bin is assembled, and the worms are feeding.

Clematis Jackmanii

Once again the clematis has grown high enough to give us a nice display on the upper deck.

Garden grooming

There was not much deadheading to do, as flowers are getting to peak. I trimmed the bearded (old fashioned) iris yesterday to about 4 - 6 inches. I also trimmed the spent flowers from hostas and heucheras. I used several dozen Y stakes on perennials that are getting tall or starting to lean too much. I added some more 8 foot stakes for the scarlet runner beans.

There are a lot of little weeds to hoe or pull (always!). I got the front beds done - for now. I need to get to the back.

My sister sent me a lion fountain that I put near my new flower bed. She noticed that a lot of homes in Des Moines have lions, so sent this for my birthday.

Marine Hills Garden Club

Had the garden club over for a potluck gathering. See club blog for photos and club information: http://marinehillsgardenclub.blogspot.com/

Spa Flower Bed

The spa bed is coming along. Can't wait to see the cannas and angel's trumpet bloom.

I haven't had time for much gardening this week. Daily watering of pots and replaced the scarlet runner bean stakes with 8 foot stakes.

Volunteering as a master gardener at the Treat garden for Federal Way Symphony garden tour today.

A new flower bed!

We finally decided to plant flowers instead of putting in a gas fire pit - at least for now. So I dug up the old crummy soil to loosen it up. then I mixed in several bags of new soil and compost to make a nice rich bed.

I transplanted agapanthus and canna lilies from another bed. I bought Calla lilies ('Lemon Drop'), white Coneflower, Liatris, Alstroemeria, and Gaura. This is near the pool in the area I call my 'hot garden', so the flowers need to be bright and many of them are tropical looking.

I placed some flagstones so I can get into the bed to weed and groom plants.

The plant in the pot is a red banana, surrounded by bacopa. Red banana is not hardy - I am using it as an annual, but I may overwinter it in the storage room.

Click on photos to see them larger.

Scarlet runner beans

A photo to show how the scarlet runner beans are progressing. We will enjoy the red flowers, then the flavorful beans. Important to harvest these beans early so they are tender and to keep the plant producing.

Water containers daily

Most summer days we need to water our container plantings daily. Hanging pots/baskets may need water twice a day on hot/dry days, such as my calibrachoa.

Composting with worm class

Composting with Worms

Thursday, July 29, 6pm-7:30pm

Federal Way City Hall Council Chambers (33325 8th Ave S, 2nd Floor)

Learn how to set up and maintain a worm bin during this interactive course. Composting with worms is great for people without yard waste service who no longer want to send food to the landfill. Plus kids think ‘red wiggler’ worms are fascinating! Bring your bin if you need help setting it up, and bring your questions and we’ll troubleshoot together. The class is free and light refreshments, educational materials and door prizes are provided.