December in the Garden

Our usual view of the entrance to the garden. A few black walnuts on the ground, very few leaves on the trees.

Perennial flower beds and strawberries are resting for the season.

A couple truck loads of chips have been delivered. They will be placed under the blueberries and other perennials. The little trailer behind my van has straw for winter mulch protection, too.

The bed by the old chicken coop has been cleaned out. The white netting near the wall is ready for this coming season's sweet pea planting. 

Even in winter the colors are pretty. Green leaves on the pampas grass near the chicken coop, strawberry leaves in a variety of colors, blue edging on the potting shed roof, the kids' plastic picnic table, red out buildings and green moss on the black walnut tree.

Florencio has pulled up the black plastic mulch revealing the drip tape underneath. He will roll that up, too. Blueberries have new red growth and await a mulch from the pile of chips.

The red plastic mulch has also been pulled up from where the tomatoes were planted. Leaves have been scattered to add to the soil.

The artichokes we started from seed last January are trying to catch up with the three larger ones that made it through last winter. These will be the recipients of the straw mulch to protect them through the cold snaps we might have this winter.

Johnny Jump Ups blooming in the garden.

A pretty fern growing on a branch of the black walnut tree. How delicate looking is that? :)