Design

In warm climates, at least, our mid-to-late summer vegetable gardens look stressed and tired (if they haven't totally pooped out). This year, I can add our perennial gardens, shrub borders, and small trees, too. The old dogwoods are looking quite puny. Not for us are the vibrant bounty of cooler summer places. But we've usually had a good run through spring and early summer, and we can look forward to fall greens. And (for me) being out-of-pocket (at least as far as the garden has been concerned) hasn't helped either. Not bending over for several weeks (as a minor surgery recovery mandate) is NOT a good thing. Thankfully, I have some midsummer tomatoes and late squash sowings that are still productive. And it's easy to harvest them with a quick bend of the knees!

Several good thunderstorms have helped the garden tremendously. We still need more, as we're behind over 10 inches this year already, but everything is looking green and lush. The view from my study window is striking right now- the purple phlox is looking great. The yellow on the right is the Threadleaf coreopis just starting to flower. The society garlic (Tulberghia) in the garden shed border is flowering nicely, and the sage and anise hyssop that replaced the kale makes a nice contrast to the rest of the greys, greens, and purples. The view from the sink at the kitchen window is nice right now; the beans and cucumbers on the trellises are growing well, and a couple of tomatoes are ripening. The tromboncino squash rescued from the woodchucks in the satellite garden is attractive on the fence. Maybe it will produce some squash!