Lmst

November 24th & our #GroundCherries are still producing #fruits 😍

#Solanaceae #EdibleGarden #HuskTomato #Annuals #GrowFood #FoodSecurity #HomegrownFood #EdiblePlants #EdibleGardening #FoodGardening #Saanich #Wsanec #NoPesticides #NoHerbicides #Gardeners #Zone8 #GrowItEatIt #AutumnFruits #VictoriaBC #YYJ #VancouverIsland #VanIsle #PacificNorthwest #Cascadia #PNW #Green #November

Close-up of a ground cherry plant in a black pot, showcasing green, papery husks surrounding the developing fruit, and textured, serrated-edged leaves. Another black pot containing small leafy green plants is visible in the background, set against a blurred suburban landscape.

My burgundy lacecap #hydrangeas are pretty in all their life stages. Some buds are still blooming into November but most are going to seed now.

#gardening #Bloomscrolling #florespondence #Saanich #Gardeners #botanical #Flowers #PollinatorGarden #VictoriaBC #YYJ #VancouverIsland #VanIsle #PacificNorthwest #Cascadia #PNW #Zone8 #perennials #VictoriaBC #Wsanec #PlantLovers #FallFlowers #Autumn #November #foliage #nature

Close-up shot of a hydrangea flower, with several red, heart-shaped petals in focus and surrounded by other leaves in shades of red, pink, and yellow. A cluster of small, unripe flower buds in green and pink hues sits at the center of the image. The background is slightly blurred, suggesting the plant is outdoors.

Close-up of a plant with a central cluster of dried, brownish-red flower heads, surrounded by colorful leaves. The leaves are yellow in the center and bordered with a deep red hue, showcasing prominent veining. Overhead, fine, green, needle-like foliage provides a contrasting backdrop. Sunlight illuminates the scene, creating shadows and highlights on the foliage.

My pink #cosmos refuse to stop producing new flower buds, in 2nd week of #November 😍

#gardening #Bloomscrolling #florespondence #Saanich #Gardeners #botanical #Flowers #PollinatorGarden #VictoriaBC #YYJ #VancouverIsland #VanIsle #PacificNorthwest #Cascadia #PNW #Zone8 #perennials #VictoriaBC #Wsanec #PlantLovers #FallFlowers #Autumn #PrettyInPink

Close-up of a vibrant pink cosmos flower in full bloom, with a yellow center, held gently by a person. The flower is the main focus, set against a blurred background of green foliage and a hand. The petals of the flower are layered, with delicate lines, catching the sunlight. The flower is held at eye level and angled towards the camera. The background consists of greenery and rocks.

Close-up of a hand cradling a partially open pink flower in the foreground, with two green flower buds in the background. The pink flower has delicate petals that curve outward, revealing a dark, textured center. The buds are enclosed by green sepals with sharp, pointed tips. The person's skin tone is light, and the sunlight creates shadows across the hand. The background is blurred, showing additional foliage.

#PacificAster is one of my fave #NativePlants to use for #rewilding & for attracting more #pollinators.

It's a small, hardy, beautiful purple #NativeWildflower which is found from BC to California. It's tolerant of many different coastal habitats, from ocean sand dunes to rocky outcrops to salt marshes to grasslands to forests. Great plant to use for soil erosion & slopes stabilization work. It has a deep, clumpy, extensive fibrous root system - don't grow beside plants with weaker root systems.

Pacific aster is extremely easy to grow in it's native grow zones, across coastal PNW areas. You'll love their long bloom time, from late May into late October. It provides pollen sources for pollinators in Fall. After they stop blooming, they'll produce fluffy seed heads, full of prolific wind-born #seeds. Snip off tops of seed heads to save them. I store mine in airtight jars & share a lot of them too.

#gardening #Bloomscrolling #florespondence #Saanich #Gardeners #botanical #Flowers #PollinatorGarden #VictoriaBC #YYJ #VancouverIsland #VanIsle #PacificNorthwest #Cascadia #PNW #Zone8 #perennials #VictoriaBC #Wsanec #PlantLovers #FallFlowers #Autumn #Nature #SeedSavers #SeedKeepers #SeedSharing #SeedBanking #SeedCollecting #SilentSunday #biodiversity

A split image showcasing different stages of Pacific aster wildflower in the late summer or early fall. The left side highlights a hand holding a flower with vibrant purple petals and a yellow center, with a red wrist wrap visible below. The right side features a cluster of fluffy, white seed heads and seed pods nestled among green foliage. The background of both sides shows a variety of green and muted foliage suggesting an outdoor setting.

Pale purple flowers on #rosemary.

#gardening #Bloomscrolling #florespondence #Saanich #Gardeners #botanical #Flowers #PollinatorGarden #VictoriaBC #YYJ #VancouverIsland #VanIsle #PacificNorthwest #Cascadia #PNW #Zone8 #herbs #VictoriaBC #Wsanec #PlantLovers #Flowers #Autumn #plants #ScentedPlants #AromatherapyPlants

Close-up of a rosemary plant with narrow green leaves and small pale purple flowers in various stages of bloom; the flowers have a two-lobed upper petal and a larger lower petal. Some flowers are in bud form. The background is a blurry green lawn and a glimpse of a cloudy sky.

Only #Gardeners know how exciting this feels.

#MyGardenProtest #seed #garden #tomato #cucumber #lettuce

Young iceberg lettuce seedlings in a seed tray

Young cucumber seedlings just poking above the soil of two seed trays, sitting on my kitchen bench between a ‘French Chef’ gnome from Bluey and a jar of random utensils

@Heliograph @medieval_illuminations
A lot of #gardeners feeling this, I think.
#gardening

Floral #Fall #foliage.
Burgundy #hydrangea #leaf & yellow #hosta #leaves.

#gardening #Saanich #Gardeners #botanical #Flowers #VictoriaBC #YYJ #VancouverIsland #VanIsle #PacificNorthwest #Cascadia #PNW #Zone8 #perennials #VictoriaBC #Wsanec #PlantLovers #Autumn

Close-up of a large, mature leaf with a deep red color, serrated edges, and prominent veining. The leaf has a slight sheen and is illuminated from above, with the veins appearing lighter and yellower. A small, dry, yellow leaf is attached to it. Other leaves are visible in the blurry background.

Close-up of heart-shaped hosta leaves in varying shades of gold and yellow with water droplets, showing highlights and shadows from sunlight.

Some of my burgundy lace-cap #hydrangeas are still blooming but most have gone to seed.

#gardening #Bloomscrolling #florespondence #Saanich #Gardeners #botanical #Flowers #PollinatorGarden #VictoriaBC #YYJ #VancouverIsland #VanIsle #PacificNorthwest #Cascadia #PNW #Zone8 #perennials #VictoriaBC #Wsanec #PlantLovers #FallFlowers #Autumn

Close-up of a hydrangea flower with large pink and white petals, surrounded by green and yellowing leaves, and small bud clusters. The petals have a delicate, textured appearance, and the overall image is brightly lit.

Some more #plants that are still producing daily blooms in late #October.

#gardening #Bloomscrolling #florespondence #Saanich #Gardeners #botanical #Flowers #PollinatorGarden #VictoriaBC #YYJ #VancouverIsland #VanIsle #PacificNorthwest #Cascadia #PNW #Zone8 #perennials #VictoriaBC #Wsanec #PlantLovers #FallFlowers #Autumn #fuchsias #dianthus #snapdragons #pansies

A beautiful Autumn afternoon, here 😊

#gardening #Bloomscrolling #florespondence #Saanich #Gardeners #botanical #Flowers #PollinatorGarden #VictoriaBC #YYJ #VancouverIsland #VanIsle #PacificNorthwest #Cascadia #PNW #Zone8 #perennials #VictoriaBC #Wsanec #PlantLovers #Autumn #October #FallFlowers #gardens

A sunlit, well-maintained backyard garden with a diverse collection of potted plants, garden ornaments, solar lamps, and a wooden bench. The focal point is a mature tree with hanging pink cosmos flowers, casting shadows over the colorful foliage. A house and street with other homes are visible in the background, set under a clear blue sky.

Some #plants are still blooming into late #October 😊

#gardening #Bloomscrolling #florespondence #Saanich #Gardeners #botanical #Flowers #PollinatorGarden #VictoriaBC #YYJ #VancouverIsland #VanIsle #PacificNorthwest #Cascadia #PNW #Zone8 #perennials #VictoriaBC #Wsanec #PlantLovers #FallFlowers #Autumn

exacerbates the #arthritis in finger joints that both my mother and I suffer from. It sucks when two hobby #gardeners can't do the #gardening they want to do & have to rely on a guy who, as a child, was forced to garden as punishment & can't shake the feeling that we're torturing him.

In the meantime, I've been torturing my own hands by doing #Inktober. I'm following the official prompts under my own theme of #cats from illuminated manuscripts / #medieval illustrations.

11/

Annual northern hemisphere reminder good Masto #gardeners, that squash plants hybridise very easily and can then produce toxic fruit. If you’ve got a plant producing funny looking ones, taste the flesh raw first and feed the compost not your friends and family if it’s bitter.

#Gardening

The #Victorian #machete #ban seems to be working well.

Machete brawl between groups spills into shopping centre in Melbourne's north.

#JacintaAllan’s knee jerk ban won’t stop gangs & criminals. It has inconvenienced #farmers, #gardeners & #outdoors people though.

#auspol

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-11/vic-broadmeadows-machete-brawl/105880438

St. Dorothy/Dorothea of Caesarea

St. Dorothy is a 4th century virgin martyr who was executed at Caesarea Mazaca. She’s called a martyr of the late Diocletianic Persecution. Although her death happened after the resignation of Diocletian himself.

Dorothea & her companion, Theophilus, are mentioned in the Roman Martyrology as martyrs of Caesarea in Cappadocia. Her feast day is on February 6. She’s officially recognized as a virgin martyr.

She was removed from the General Roman Calendar by Pope Paul VI’s motu proprio Mysterii Paschalis, being judged as not having “universal significance.” Her feast day does still remain in some regional calendars & the Tridentine Calendar.

Her early life is unknown. The first record of her, Martyrologium Hieronymianum, only has 3 basic facts: her day of martyrdom, the place where it happened, & her name & Theophilus’ name.

Dorothea of Caesarea, virgin & martyr, was persecuted during the persecution of Diocletian on February 6, 311 at Caesarea in Cappadocia. She was brought before the prefect Sapricius, tried, tortured, & sentenced to death. On the way to the place of execution, the pagan lawyer, Theophilus said, mockingly, “Bride of Christ, send me some fruits from your bridegroom’s garden.”

Before she was executed, she sent him, by a 6 year old boy, her headdress which was found to be filled with a heavenly fragrance of roses & fruits. Theophilus at once confessed himself a Christian, was put on the rack, & suffered death. This is the oldest version of the legend.

In the Western church, Dorothy of Caesarea has been venerated since the 7th century. In the late medieval Sweden, St. Dorothy was considered to be the 15th of the Holy Helpers.

In art, she’s accompanied with Saints Barbara, Catherine, & Margaret. They form a quartet of female virgin martyrs called Quattuor Virgines Capitales, meaning, “The Four Capital Virgins.”

She’s the patroness of gardeners. Because of her virginal attribute of a wreath of roses. On her feast day (February 6), trees are blessed. She’s also the patroness of brewers, brides, florists, midwives, newlyweds, & the village of Pescia, Italy. The Sisters of St. Dorothy is a congregation of sisters/nuns, who are occupied with teaching.

St. Dorothy is often pictured as a virgin carrying a basket of flowers, sometimes with fruit, & also wearing a crown of roses. She has also been pictured as being surrounded by stars as she kneels before an executioner; crowned with palm, referring to the martyr’s palm; in an enclosed garden or an orchard with the Christ Child in an apple tree; leading the Christ Child by the hand; veiled with flowers in her lap; & holding apples from Heaven.

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#4thCentury #6February311 #7thCentury #AppleTree #Brewers #BrideOfChrist #Bridegroom #Brides #Caesarea #CaesareaMazarca #Cappadocia #ChristChild #Christian #DiocletianicPersecution #DorotheaOfCaesarea #EmperorDiocletian #February6 #Florists #FourCapitalVirgins #Gardeners #GeneralRomanCalendar #Heaven #HolyHelpers #Italy #Martyr #MartyrSPalm #Martyrdom #MartyrologiumHieronymianum #Midwives #MotuProprio #MysteriiPaschalis #Newlyweds #Nuns #Pescia #PopePaulVI #QuattuorVirginesCapitales #RomanMartyrology #Roses #Sapricius #SistersOfStDorothy #StBarbara #StCatherine #StDorothy #StMargaret #Sweden #Theophilus #TridentineCalendar #Virgin #VirginMartyr #WesternChurch #WreathOfRoses

Bonding with my #compost with a pitchfork.

#aeration #gardeners #agroecology

I grew this bountiful #GroundCherry plant from seeds collected from last year's #VolunteerPlant. I dug a volunteer ground cherry plant out from a sidewalk crack, last year & transplanted into a pot. That plant provided loads of #fruits. I saved 2 of the largest fruits for sowing this year's plants - gave several seeds away too.

#gardening #Bloomscrolling #FoodSecurity #Saanich #Gardeners #botanical #Flowers #FoodPlants #FoodGardening #VictoriaBC #YYJ #VancouverIsland #VanIsle #PacificNorthwest #Cascadia #PNW #Zone8 #GrowItEatIt #VictoriaBC #Wsanec #PlantLovers #EdiblePlants #GrowFood #EdibleGardens #GrownFromSeed #SeedSavers #ContainerGardening

This #cosmos #plant decided it identified as a tree & grew super tall! The rest of our cosmos are much shorter. Mom didn't think it would bloom but I saw several flower buds on it & waited for them to open. Several more buds haven't opened up yet but they should bloom soon 😊

#gardening #Bloomscrolling #florespondence #Saanich #Gardeners #botanical #Flowers #PollinatorGarden #VictoriaBC #YYJ #VancouverIsland #VanIsle #PacificNorthwest #Cascadia #PNW #Zone8 #perennials #VictoriaBC #Wsanec #PlantLovers

St. Rose of Lima

She was born Isabel Flores de Oliva (April 20, 1586-August 24, 1617). She was a member of the Third Order of St. Dominic in Lima, Peru, Spanish Empire. She was known for her life of severe penance & her care of the poor of the city through her own private efforts.

Rose of Lima was born to a noble family & is the patroness saint of embroidery, gardening, cultivation of blooming flowers, florists, embroiderers, sewing lace, gardeners, people ridiculed or misunderstood for their piety, the resolution of family quarrels, against vanity, & the indigenous peoples of the Americas. She was the 1st person born in the Americas to be canonized as a saint.

As a saint, Rose of Lima has been designated as a co-patroness of the Philippines, along with Pudentiana. Both saints were moved to Second-class patronage in September 1942 by Pope Pius XII. But Rose remains the main patroness of Peru & the local people of Latin America. Her image was formerly featured on the highest denomination banknote of Peru.

Her nickname “Rose” comes from a story in her infancy: a servant claimed to have seen her face change into a rose. In 1597, Isabel was confirmed by the Archbishop of Lima, Toribio de Mogrovejo, who was also declared a saint. She then formally changed her name to Rose (Rosa in Spanish) at that time.

When she was a young girl, she copied Catherine of Siena. She started praying 3x a week & performed severe penances in secret. She was admired for her beauty. She cut off her hair & rubbed peppers on her face, to distract from her beauty. She was upset that men were starting to notice her, & not for her spirituality. She turned away all of her suitors. Her family wasn’t having any of that.

Much to her parents’ chigrin, Rose spent a LOT of time thinking about the Blessed Sacrament, which she received daily. This is rare, & odd, for the time. She wanted to take a vow of virginity. But her parents didn’t want that! Out of frustration, her dad gave her a room to herself at the family home.

In addition to fasting, she permanently abstained from eating meat. She helped the sick & hungry around her community. She would bring them to the room, her dad built, to take care of the sick. To help her family financially, Rose would sell fine needlework she made. She would also take flowers to the market to sell as well.

To help the poor, she would make & sell lace & embroidery. This was in addition to all the prayer & she did penance in a small grotto she’d built. She was otherwise a recluse. She only left her room to go to church.

She attracted the attention of the friars of the Dominican Order. She wanted to become a nun. But her dad wasn’t hearing any of that noise. So instead, she entered the Third Order of St. Dominic, while she was living in her parents’ home.

When she was 20, she started wearing the habit of a tertiary & took a vow of perpetual virginity. A tertiary is a lay member of a religious order’s Third Order, who lives in the secular (worldly) world while they strive for Christian perfection by following the spiritual way of life associated with that particular order. The First Order is the clergy, the Second Order is the religious women in the community (official nuns).

She allowed herself only 2 hours a night of sleep, at most, so she could have more time to devote to prayer. She also wore a heavy metal crown made of silver, that had small spikes on the inside. This was to imitate the Crown of Thorns worn by Jesus.

For 11 years, she lived like this. Throughout this time, there would be periods of ecstasy. She passed away on August 24, 1617, at the age of 31. She had been battling a long illness. It’s said that she prophesied her death date.

Her funeral was held in the cathedral. It was attended by all the public authorities of Lima. August 23 is her feast day. It’s August 30th in the Traditional calendar.

Rose was beatified by Pope Clement IX on May 10, 1667. She was canonized on April 12, 1671 by Pope Clement I. She was the first Catholic in the Americas to be officially declared a saint.

Her shine is inside of the convent of St. Dominic in Lima. The Catholic Church says that many miracles happened after her death: she cured a leper; & at the time of her death, the city of Lima smelled like roses; roses started falling from the sky.

Rose’s skull, surmounted with a crown of roses, is on public display at the Basilica in Lima, Peru.