Winter Garden

A random stroll around the back garden....
It's been cold, in spite of that bright blue sky, so we've covered the smaller citrus trees with white frost blankets; they look like melting snowmen hulking around the yard. It's just enough of a barrier to get them through the chilly nights. Sharp eyes may detect ripening lemons on the large bush at the right; that guy is old enough to be on his own and doesn't need to be covered. The exuberant vines on the arbor are kiwis; they don't need any help either. The plastic bottles in the closest vegetable bed are not for the cold as much as to protect the young kale and collards from marauders. The newly pruned leafless tree is a fig.  Tonight we're making broccoli rabe pasta with a big bunch of greens from that overgrown bed in the center. So that's the tour. I remind myself that this is December.