Mr. B's Garden: Memories of Aiken, SC and a Quick Garden Update

Finally home after nearly two weeks working at a client's site in Aiken, SC and I found some time, mostly on the weekend, to see some of the local sights. Steph flew out for the weekend and we took in a local production of The Wizard of OZ, which was well staged, wonderfully acted and the girl who played Dorothy had a fantastic voice, especially for a high school senior. We also managed to do some window shopping in the local antique stores, where I found a Burpee Seed Planting clock that I may have to call the shop to buy, as I haven't been able to stop thinking about how great it would look in my office. I did go back and buy an "Old Heidelberg" beer mug from the 20's or 30's to add to my collection. They have a vibrant, busy and wonderfully picturesque downtown, so of course I had to take a few pictures.

This is the fountain in the middle of downtown.

A well landscaped median.

The clock in downtown.

A couple of possible girlfriends for Larry, enjoying the sunny day.

Here are some of the flowers at the hotel I stayed at.

And here are some iconic Southern plants, a Southern Yellow Pine and a magnolia.

Lastly, here are some wildflowers found along the side of the highway, with the only one I can identify being goldenrod.

Leaving Aiken, I arrived once again at Dove Manor and took a quick tour of the gardens this morning, being relieved to find that I hadn't lost anything in my absence. In fact, the peas and beans I planted before I left have come up, although the tomatoes and eggplant haven't. For that matter, neither have the carrots and radishes I planted a month ago, but the mesclun mix is looking good. The habaneros are starting to ripen and about a dozen were ready to harvest this morning, along with a bunch of Takanotsume peppers.