My California

Hello my fellow Hivers! Hope all is well in your part of the world, and the start of 2023 has been kind to you. Here where I live it has been brutal, due to the historic weather we have been having. Luckily for my family, and I we have remained safe. However we are surrounding by areas that have experienced some hardships. Floods, trees falling, power outages, and more. It really is a site to see, especially for an area known for its mild weather. They are not kidding when they say, "When it rains, it pours!"

So far the worst of the storms happened Monday morning. It was coming down good, and the wind was crazy at 40 MPH gusts. I woke up to take my kids to school, and see the road in front of my apartment flooded. I was actually more before this pic. The county came in before I snapped the photo with sandbags. Granted it was not as bad as other places, but I never have seen it like this. I cant even fathom what it is like to be in a Hurricane, something I know many of you probably experience once a year! Like I have said, so far we have been very lucky.

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Above is in Capitola By The Sea, about a 30 min drive from my home. You can see they got hit hard! It took out a portion of the Wharf, and flooded those homes, and to the right not in the picture, there is a stretch of businesses that got hit as well. Mother Nature does not play. She is a force to reckon with!

Knock on wood. We have been very fortunate. Especially living right near a creek. However, folks right up the road have not. They live closer to the creek, and usually will get flooded after a good rain. In the past 2 weeks, this neighborhood has been evacuated 3 times!

On the other side of things, this rain is a blessing! California has been in a severe drought, with so many reservoirs depleted. The recent rains no doubt will relieve some of this stress. What was brown is now green, which is a beautiful site to see! I know all this rain has to be a pain on farmers in many ways, but damn its about time we got a good rain. If only our politicians have actually been better at their jobs, and planned years ahead of this. From what I have read is there are plans for more reservoirs, but are tied up in political red tape. They say we are going to have wetter wet seasons, and even drier dry seasons, you would think they would cut that tape and fast track these projects.

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But who am I to talk. I am some random Californian with two almost dead Glass Gem Corn seedlings. HA! But hey I have my thoughts, and usually do keep them to myself. Because in reality my world is here at work, then at home with my family. I can only hope those in charge do their best.

Just as I did with this Habanero. Which believe it or not has been alive since last spring, at the start of my last years garden! Although it barely started producing peppers towards the end of the season. Then to my astonishment did not stop until last week when I picked the last of them.

Here is another interesting grower. This is the Re Vegged Squash, that is still growing from last spring. Also by the looks of it, isn't going anywhere any time soon.

And yes, it is still producing fruit!

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I just cut this baby Squash. If you remember what I have learned about this varietal, is that the younger ones are better then the ripe ones. I have yet to try them out myself, but hopefully will soon. A hot soup does sound so good right about now!

There are even more little ones forming, but I doubt they pull through due to the cold nights, and high velocity wind!

After cutting the green Squash, I cut the large vine that was creeping in the middle, to just let the energy go into what you see above. I am not so excited about this, but if it sticks around I will not get rid of it.

The other day when it got very windy, the wind almost ripped this Pumpkin right from the ground!

But luckily it didn't, and I just threw some more dirt over the exposed roots. I am rooting for this one to stay alive, in hopes for it to do what my Squash did, and produce me some Pumpkins this year.

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It is looking good, minus the Snails that are getting to it.

The other one may make it as well come Spring! If you are wondering why the heck am I even growing these, it is because around Halloween time I found 2 seedlings growing in the most random spot at my apartment. I then transplanted them here at my work garden.

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I even almost had a Pumpkin, but this is what happened to it. Another victim to the cold nights.

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So basically still just waiting to get my new garden going for 2023. I was excited to see more Marigolds pop up in random places. It is my hope I populate the workplace with this wonderful flowers, just like the Californian Poppies do.

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What I am focusing on more at the moment is the compost. Something that I have been making more of, so I have an abundance for this up, and coming grow season. I plan on making the plot a bit bigger, and also growing everything from seed.

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Which speaking of seeds, check out these little seedlings growing in my other compost. I always find it fascinating on how well seeds start in here. Although I do not know what these are, and might be regretted them once the middle of the summer comes.

But oh well, as long as I have some good compost is all the matters. Which I do think it is coming along nice. This stuff smells so good!

The worms are for sure loving it!

Well that is all I got going on now. It has actually started to rain again, with even more along the way. There is light at the end of the tunnel though. It does seem maybe the worst is past us, but no doubt the danger is still lurking. My heart, and prayers go out to those affected, and I wish everyone the best. Until next time. Stay safe.