The Bermuda grass in the back is finally turning green. Once the irrigation begins it only takes a couple of weeks. In other news, the cherries are now pea-sized and the peaches, pears, and apples have all passed the almond-size stage and are proceeding directly to grape-size. The peas that Sherm planted way back when are now bearing flat little pods. Sherm also planted some sunflower seeds last week, along the eastern wall.

Several cacti are now blooming, including an Old Man of Peru and a very spiny Prickly Pear lookalike. The local Prickly Pears have many buds, but have not yet bloomed. See a few pics here.

This has been a big year for aphids. Many of the early blooms on the roses have been damaged, either by the little green insects or by frost and wind (both of which they have endured).

The cottonwoods are ominously bearing their seed pods, and I suspect that it will not be long until we are inundated with cottonwood seeds flying about.

Finally, Sherm scored some cushions for the bancos in the courtyard. Harry seems to enjoy them, and between the cushions and the indoor plants moved outdoors for the season, it is really looking quite quaint out there.