A mild Sierra foothill winter-February First Views

While going out to photograph my ‘first views’ of February in my California  mountain garden, I already know that my predictions of January 1st,…that we’d have snow by now, are false.  My photos are for Town Mouse’s meme, First Views. Visit her post, and sign in to the Mr Linky tool there to join in!  The idea is to show wider views of your garden as it changes month to month.

Garden last February

Garden last February

My predictions, while made in hopes of rain but expecting snow, were part true as we did get a wonderful rain for two days and the rest of last month was cloudy bright or sunny. I exhausted myself doing more cutting back and trimming.

Crisp early mornings

Crisp early mornings

The brief rain put an end to the dryness of the garden soil and the sunny days have allowed me to add on a flannel shirt and continue on with projects.

Pines appear through clouds and fog moves through the valley.

Pines appear through clouds and fog moves through the valley.

I love the cloud patterns and forms from where I sit inside on wet days. Water drops cling to the pines in a uniform way.

Morning fall across the valley running full

Morning fall across the valley running full for a day or two after the rain.

One thing that surprises us still is the sound of the stream, Willow Creek, 200 yards below the house and the waterfall, a quarter mile across the valley on the mountain. It’s a constant rushing, night and day, after a rain and a few days after.

Views from through the living room sliding doors

Views from through the living room sliding doors

After the sun breaks out, but before I can go out, the view from the living room sliding windows looks like Spring. The birds still gather around the birdbath, even a squirrel has and thank goodness for the violas’ color,…and the Halloween pumpkin…. ‘Bout time to chuck that out to the garden to reseed naturally, don’t you think?

South area of the garden

South area of the garden

Both buddleias were trimmed down to eighteen inches to rejuvenate the foliage. I’m happy to see a bit of green in the ‘meadow’ area beyond where the perennials are establishing around the edges.

Beautiful sunrises most mornings

Beautiful sunrises most mornings

One aspect of the Winter garden are the brilliant sunrises and while I’m out, wrapped in a wool blanket, it’s a good time to tromp around the garden to see what is.

A cloud bank sits on top of the mountain

A cloud bank sits on top of the mountain

This morning, after the sprinkle last night, I check on the deer grass seedling transplanted the end of last September.  The three full grown plants threw off dozens of sprouts and I dug buckets full to set out in old burn piles and around the new bench built last April. All these areas have no water and expecting Fall rain, I feared for them. Now I’m delighted to find that all have survived.

At the bottom center is a dried patch of Hall’s Mules ears, Wyethia elata and Goldenfleece, Ericameria arborescens. Surrounding natives with rock or log edgings is one way to blend them in with cultivated areas.

A buck and his family visit

A buck and his family visit

This is the view from the den window, where Tractor man calls out, “Deer on the Command Post hill.”  I jump up, (still), and the dog starts barking.  We are thrilled to see a fine buck, his mate and a fawn browsing.

Should I try to predict March weather this year?  No.

17 comments

  1. Katie Hertfelder -

    Okay, I’ll do it then: pretty dry for the rest of the rainy season, maybe a big storm at the end of March, then a late cold snap that kills everyone’s tomatoes. We may as well all just throw out wild guesses about the weather, don’t you think? I’m happy about your deer grass too. Little things like that are pretty big to me too.

  2. Katie Hertfelder -

    Okay, I’ll do it then: pretty dry for the rest of the rainy season, maybe a big storm at the end of March, then a late cold snap that kills everyone’s tomatoes. We may as well all just throw out wild guesses about the weather, don’t you think? I’m happy about your deer grass too. Little things like that are pretty big to me too.

  3. The Sage Butterfly -

    I like the photo of the deer congregating on the hill. We live on a slope as well. We don’t have deer congregating because we have a fence, but we do overlook the woods. I like your view…so scenic. I like winter sunrises as well…and sunsets.

    • Sue Langley -

      Laughing ….Katie! Your forecast is as good as any from Fresno, THAT’S for sure! Thanks for the chuckle!

      Thanks Sage Butterfly, constructing a deer fence is one of my goals this winter. I admire your veggies, started already! I saw your post today also and I don’t know where you garden, but we are the same zone.

      Thanks, Clare. We love seeing the deer, but a deer fence is in the works! Yes, not much of a snow pack yet….so very interesting how each year is different.

  4. The Sage Butterfly -

    I like the photo of the deer congregating on the hill. We live on a slope as well. We don’t have deer congregating because we have a fence, but we do overlook the woods. I like your view…so scenic. I like winter sunrises as well…and sunsets.

    • Sue Langley -

      Laughing ….Katie! Your forecast is as good as any from Fresno, THAT’S for sure! Thanks for the chuckle!

      Thanks Sage Butterfly, constructing a deer fence is one of my goals this winter. I admire your veggies, started already! I saw your post today also and I don’t know where you garden, but we are the same zone.

      Thanks, Clare. We love seeing the deer, but a deer fence is in the works! Yes, not much of a snow pack yet….so very interesting how each year is different.

  5. Curbstone Valley Farm -

    Your deer look quite at home. We had a herd of 6 deer, including a buck, standing between our cars in front of the house last Friday. I was appalled that I noticed before the dogs did! Was fun to see them though, we haven’t seen them much this winter. I know last year we all had an absurd amount of precipitation, but how unusual is it for you to be so snow-free at this time of year? I’m sure the ski resorts have thrown their hands up in despair by now!

  6. Curbstone Valley Farm -

    Your deer look quite at home. We had a herd of 6 deer, including a buck, standing between our cars in front of the house last Friday. I was appalled that I noticed before the dogs did! Was fun to see them though, we haven’t seen them much this winter. I know last year we all had an absurd amount of precipitation, but how unusual is it for you to be so snow-free at this time of year? I’m sure the ski resorts have thrown their hands up in despair by now!

  7. Town Mouse -

    Love the views — the light is amazing. I’m glad you got some decent amount of rain. We only got about an inch, and everything is dry. Last year wasn’t all that wet either, but a little above average.
    i’m just glad I didn’t plant a lot of new plants hoping they would get established in the wet winter. As it is, my natives will probably cope.

  8. Nell Jean -

    Winter is definitely not over, I can tell you that. It was a treat to visit your garden and surroundings.

    Sue at A Corner Garden was writing about thunder snow, whatever that is, headed her way. Don’t break out your sundresses, yet.

  9. Nell Jean -

    Winter is definitely not over, I can tell you that. It was a treat to visit your garden and surroundings.

    Sue at A Corner Garden was writing about thunder snow, whatever that is, headed her way. Don’t break out your sundresses, yet.

  10. country mouse -

    I enjoyed your views too! I also like incorporating wild volunteers into the garden areas – I have elderberry and coffeeberry in that category – and of course coyote brush, always plenty of that. Ilike your idea of adding a bit of rockery or wood to bring them into the aesthetic fold.

    • Sue Langley -

      Thanks, Country Mouse…I’m a list maker, seems, so I have a list started of all the plants that are native here,…always super excited to find any new. Wow, to have the very attractive coffeeberry as a native that fantastic!

  11. country mouse -

    I enjoyed your views too! I also like incorporating wild volunteers into the garden areas – I have elderberry and coffeeberry in that category – and of course coyote brush, always plenty of that. Ilike your idea of adding a bit of rockery or wood to bring them into the aesthetic fold.

    • Sue Langley -

      Thanks, Country Mouse…I’m a list maker, seems, so I have a list started of all the plants that are native here,…always super excited to find any new. Wow, to have the very attractive coffeeberry as a native that fantastic!

  12. Desiree -

    My immediate thoughts upon seeing the first few breathtaking photographs of your lovely Eden were, “I want my ashes scattered here!” What a magnificent place you call home, Sue. I honestly would have no need of ever going anywhere, were it mine. I truly do believe you are the genuine Super Woman, or her incarnation. How on earth do you DO all you do?

  13. Desiree -

    My immediate thoughts upon seeing the first few breathtaking photographs of your lovely Eden were, “I want my ashes scattered here!” What a magnificent place you call home, Sue. I honestly would have no need of ever going anywhere, were it mine. I truly do believe you are the genuine Super Woman, or her incarnation. How on earth do you DO all you do?

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