One big success in an experiment. Kale grown from seed & transplanted near a compost in place pot (a one gallon pot sunk in soil for a few inches, small batches of kitchen scraps & soil, & another pot dropped inside to keep critters away. Water goes into top pot to save water & wear & tear on me)
Out of 6 seedlings, one made it through the erratic temp swings. It's huge.

#gardening #Zone10b

26 May 2026
Veraison begins. Zinfandel. A week earlier than last year. Urban, head trained. #Zone10b #grapes

3 days till spring
5 weeks early from last year

In severe heat watch, first Romneya bloom opening

#NativePlants #Zone10b

Edit: I was wrong, this is oat. Got huge from storm / heat swings 😐 I'm hopeful lemongrass seedling was protected under the oat's canopy. Once this round of extreme heat is over, I'll be able to check 🤞

First lemongrass harvest, ever. Seeds were 10+ years old. Started in cell trays in fall. Grown as cool season crop. Most of it will be dried or frozen for later use. The smaller, more tender stalk is in dinner tonight. Pic is quick, it's too hot outside to concentrate much. #gardening #Zone10b

To be honest, my main goal to grow dill was this 👇

Black swallowtail caterpillars

#Zone10B #BloomScrolling #Butterfly

Peaches at least 2 months too soon. The tree looks horrible. Old leaves, new leaves, flowers, fruit, all at the same time. #zone10b #gardening #ClimateDiary

86 that feels like 90F
15% humidity
Weeks away from spring equinox in SoCal

Feeling quite low. Harvested some of the winter grown sunflower heads. Will spend some time saving the seeds

#zone10b #gardening #seeds

Freeze update: Tomatoes and most of the zinnias look very bad. Some of the chickpea plants, too. Interestingly, the ones planted close together survived. Tomorrow I might have more time to investigate. Lettuce and carrots are very happy. #GrowYourOwn #Cold #Zone10B

Other bed with some chickpea plants, tiny zinnias, and scarlet sage plants.

#GrowYourOwn #Cold #Zone10B

Close-up of chickpea plants in a raised bed
#GrowYourOwn #Cold #Zone10B