Rhythm of the Rain and Prickly Pear Cactus

Well, the rain has finally stopped but it is a clammy damp day, the kind of day that brings out all the bugs, we got chewed up by mosquitoes this AM walking the dogs, I found 3 ticks on one of the dogs, which grossed me out and sent us running to the vet for Frontline. Not a good day to be working outside but I am heading out to fertilize my roses and annuals. I have lots of Iris that need to be dug but not sure if that will happen today or not.

I took these photos of the prickly pear cactus last week.

Prickly Pear Cactus

Most people are surprised to know that Prickly Pear Cactus grows in Iowa. Not only grows but thrives. It is aptly named, the stickers are wicked! I have an old pair of leather gloves that are only used to weed the cactus bed and I am still picking stickers out of my hands for days. They are will be in full bloom soon.

I always say I am going to use the fruit to make jelly but that has not happened yet, probably won't this year either.

My hubby has been working on another raised flower bed, this is a smaller one, I think I will put a couple of climbing roses in it, there is a fenced directly behind the new bed. I have not grown climbing roses in years, I am hoping there are some new varieties that survive our Iowa winters better.