This is the view out my window these days – orange, smokey skies. Despite that, there is beauty to be found in my flower bed and fig tree and potted plants.
I ordered some herb seeds a couple of months ago and planted them in coconut fiber pony packs. I used three of them, and put them in alphabetical order to spell H O T! Hyssop, oregano (Greek), and tarragon (Mexican). They were all nicely lined up, but then I moved them when I wanted to use the table and now have no idea what is where! But, time to transplant into larger pots.
The Brown Turkey fig tree is in full swing! There are plenty to go around. The local varmints like them, too, but I have a great homemade repellent made of dried chilis, garlic, and mint. I spray the tree every night after sundown (to keep the leaves from burning) and have managed to keep most of my fruit.
Of course, the roses have been happy with the heat, and the fact that I actually water them. A flower mix strewn in May is producing all sorts of flowers (and some weeds). The lemon verbena is in full bloom as well.
I also had a couple of cucumber vines. Originally I thought I had planted lemon cukes, but it turns out they were pickling cukes. They have now gone to cucumber heaven (though I have another one blooming), and the leaves are all that remain.
Life begins the day you start a garden. – Chinese proverb
Ink, Yarn & Beer 
Good to hear from you -N! Your fig tree has my mouth watering. My roses didn’t like the heat, but seem to be doing better now that it’s cooler and smokey!
The natural world, both good and bad!
Lovely photos! I do so miss fresh figs–yours look perfect.
Well, if you need to get away from the heat and smoke, you could hang out in our back yard for a while!
Thanks, Judy. It’s actually quite cool today, but I expect the air will be worse per the CA air board (or whatever!).
Thanks AV! The repellent is proving to be very helpful. What is nice is that I get enough figs for a day. They don’t all ripen at once.
I’ve seen pictures of that nasty orange haze in San Francisco, and I’m sorry to learn that’s what’s outside your windows! Hope the weather changes soon.
An Italian neighbor here had a fig tree, but it’s not so common here, requiring some winter protection unless planted against a south-facing wall.
Thanks for the thoughts, Kathy. Things will always improve (I hope!). It’s cooler today, so that is good. I must say I do like having weather for fig trees! They grow like weeds in some places, and they are so easy to make cuttings from to grow new ones.