Gladi-what?

I don't get it. Gladioli aren't supposed to be hardy here. All the catalogs won't sell them for fall planting and say they're not hardy in zone 7 to 8 (about where I am). So, what the heck are these doing still alive?





Not that I'm complaining, mind you! I've never had bulbs come back the second year as well as the first year ... until now. I don't know what I'm doing, but the glads seem to love it.

Also, bambii must die! Remember my strawberry plants? Well, the deer mowed them down. Luckily, strawberries are resilient. And all the runners are starting to root and put out their own leaves.



The squash I planted solely to keep down the weeds are looking good. I don't know whether or not I'll get anything from them this year, but they're trying! Look at the little mini squash forming. Isn't it cute? Next year I'll definitely plant them a month or two earlier and be rolling in zucchini.





And, as a bonus, here's my current pile of knitting. 2 finished hats, a pair of socks and a scarf I need to weave in ends on, a felted thing, and a bunch of yarn.